This Teacher Is Sharing Her Clever And Creative Strategies For How She Manages Her Classroom
Disruptive behavior is a given in any classroom filled with elementary-aged children. Students who shout and talk out of turn make it a challenge for learning to take place. Fortunately, there are ways to curb this behavior.
If you’re a new teacher struggling to gain control of your kids, here are some effective approaches you can implement in your classroom to improve student conduct, therefore leading to a better learning environment.
TikToker and teacher Kaitlyn McCarty (@myclassroomdiaries) is sharing some clever and creative strategies for how she manages her classroom.
Of course, not all of these tips are expected to work for every teacher since every classroom is different. You might also need to adjust them each year according to the new batch of kids.
First, Kaitlyn introduces the “tap jar” method, which helps students stay well-behaved in the hallway.
The way it works is that when a student is making good choices while in the hallway, like facing forward in line, walking correctly, and staying quiet, they will get their shoulder tapped.
Later, the best-behaved student will receive a prize from the tap jar, where they can pick out a fun mini eraser.
The whole class finds it exciting because they always want to know who the “tap jar person” is, which motivates them to follow hallway procedures. Next, Kaitlyn developed another strategic game called “secret student.”
When the class isn’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing, Kaitlyn informs them that her secret student isn’t following directions. This immediately causes the entire class to go quiet.
pololia – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual children
Kaitlyn also uses a doorbell to get her class to calm down. When she clicks the button, the chiming sound of the doorbell makes any student become silent. The doorbell’s volume can be adjusted and comes with different sounds.
At the beginning of the school year, Kaitlyn set a rule stating that if the kids talk after the bell rings, they must write their names on the whiteboard and walk a lap at recess. So now, no one talks after the bell.
Another approach she has taken is to come up with signs the kids can use to indicate when they need something without interrupting or distracting the class.
If a kid needs a pencil, they can hold up one finger, and Kaitlyn can grab one without breaking her stride. To ask to use the bathroom, kids can hold up two crossed fingers. Kaitlyn will then make a gesture, telling them to go ahead.
Throughout the day, Kaitlyn makes sure to compliment the positive things she sees her kids do. For example, if one student is sitting quietly at their desk, Kaitlyn will praise them.
As a result, the other students strive to act like the good student. If a student is called out twice in one day, they can pick out a piece of candy. Other teachers may disagree with this method, but it works pretty well.
Finally, Kaitlyn provides a visible display and descriptions of her students’ workstations and classroom jobs so they won’t have to constantly ask her what to do.
@myclassroomdiaries I think I am obsessed with trying new classroom management strategies ??? #teacher #classroommangagement #firstyearteacher #teachersoftiktok #futureteacher
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