Classroom Management Tips For Teachers 27 to 33
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"Peer Tutoring"
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One technique I find my self using more and more in the classroom is peer tutoring. As the class size increases just about every year, it is a great technique for keeping your class in check. This year I decided to create create peer tutoring groups after the third week. I sorted students so that I had the stronger students paired with weaker student. Each day I have planned group activities and have used the groups every chance I get. I have to say that it was very successful, especially for math skills. It really has sped up the learning process. You may want to give it a shot.
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"Homework Leader
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"One of the classroom jobs that I assign weekly is the "Homework Leader". I tell the children that this person is "on-call" only in an emergency. The way it works is as follows. If a student arrives home and for one reason or another does not have an assignment written down in his/her planner, they may call the "homework leader" to tell them what the assignment is. They are not there to explain or give answers, strictly as a resource for what is due. I have found this job to be a wonderful way to get those students, who in the past, are not responsible, to now gain confidence as the person others may look towards. In addition, no matter how hard we try to get children to write in planners, some do make errors and the "homework leader" job has cut down on excuses the next day and anxiety at home."
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"Do Now!"
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This was my second year teaching. One technique that really improved my classroom management and overall success with my students was the use of a daily "Do Now!" activity. I have 6 classes throughout an average school daily. Our periods are 45 minutes in length.
During my first year of teaching, I had a lot of trouble getting the students settled and focused. This process would take any where from 5 to 10 minutes.
On the advice of a senior colleague, I started using "Do Now!" activities. I write a quick assignment on the board that requires 5 minutes of my students time. The assignment reviews the past day's lesson.
This technique turned 5 wasted minutes into an engaging activity. It also helps me assess the students on a daily basis. I highly recommend it!
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Individual Student Accountability
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"I teach Interrelated Special Education, Math to 8th Grade Students. As my fellow special education teachers know, we have to make sure that we cover ourselves. There are thousands of lawsuits yearly, and we, as special education teachers have to show that we are doing what we can to help the students.
In addition to modifications, to make sure that I cover myself regarding grades, I hold the students accountable for each missed assignment.
Students know that if they do not complete an assignment, they have to write (in their own handwriting):
TODAY IS 9-14-2011, I DID NOT COMPLETE MY HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK ASSIGNMENT BECAUSE. . .
SIGNATUREx ----------- AND DATE IT.
I keep these sheets in the students folder. When parents come for conferences, students have no way out. I have done my part by making sure that they have their assignments written in their agendas. If they do not do their part, I have proof of why.
After a while, students catch on and they tend to remember to complete assignments in a timely fashion."
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Homework Accountability/ Documentation
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"When I collect a homework assignment, EVERYONE turns in a paper. If you have the assignment, you turn it in. If you do not, you have to turn in a piece of notebook paper with the assignment and an "excuse". If the excuse is the child was absent and you never receive the assignment, you know they do not make up work when absent. If they have excused frequently, you have something from the child to show parents at the conference. A lot of my kids are embarrassed to turn in excuses now. I have found that it motivates some to take the time to do their homework; so they do not have to write me an excuse."
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Gotcha
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"For individualizing classroom management I created the "Gotcha" system. A "Gotcha" is given to any (sometimes all) students that have been caught doing something positive. This may be as simple as being ready for a lesson, picking up a piece of trash, helping a classmate, etc. Each time a student is verbally told "Gotcha", they complete a small ticket that has a name line, date line, and a line for what they got caught doing. The students keep track of how many "Gotchas" they get in a day and then complete that many tickets during our end of the day routine. All "Gotchas" then go in the "Gotcha" basket.
At the end of the week we discuss probability, percentages, etc. of chances of getting your name pulled. Students will never have "Gotchas" taken away once awarded. I then pull about 10 or so tickets - each student may then choose a prize from the prize basket. We then dump all the tickets for that week and start again on Monday. This system has worked extremely well for my fifth graders over the years! Hope you find this successful also! "
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Responsibility Monitor for Homework
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"Every month I appoint a class monitor. This is no ordinary monitor, he/she will write down the given homework in the class record and sign it. The next day, he/she will check the work done by the students and submit the record to me. If any of students fail to do the homework, they will not be given that day's worksheet. This idea has really worked well for my students."
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