Principles & Research on Classroom Management
What is Classroom Management?
Classroom management is a critical component of success in the classroom. A well managed classroom allows for more time to be spent on learning, instead of being wasted on discipline and preparation for the next activity. According to Harry Wong, "classroom management refers to all of the things a teacher does to organize students, space, time and materials so student learning can take place." (2009, p. 83) To effectively organize each of these elements of classroom management rules, norms, routines, and procedures direct the flow of action in the classroom. Effective classroom management allows the teacher and the students to work together in a united team whose goal is learning. Ultimately, classroom management encompasses how a classroom functions, which involves both the teacher's behavior and the behavior of the students.
What Components Create or Impact Effective Classroom Management?
Wong provides the following characteristics of a well-managed classroom. Along with these characteristics, Wong's theory of classroom management emphasizes the importance of consistency in the classroom, starting from the first day of school. It is during the first weeks of school- particularly the first day of school- that teachers set the expectations for the entire school year. During this time, students are introduced to the classroom procedures and routines they will be expected to follow. Also, during the first day of school, classroom rules are presented and developed with student input. (Wong, 2009, pp. 82-85)
Robert Marzano calls for teachers to create a classroom management approach with a balance between dominance and cooperation. Dominance refers to a "teacher's ability to provide clear purpose and strong guidance regarding both academics and student behavior", while cooperation refers to a teacher's "concern for the needs and opinions of others" with a focus on building a team-like collaboration between the teacher and the students." (Marzano, 2003, pp. 8-9) A teacher displays dominance by setting clear, explicit rules and procedures to be followed in the classroom, along with set consequences for misbehavior and failure to follow the rules. Cooperation is shown through a teacher's sincere interest in students' both inside and outside of class and rewarding or acknowledging positive student behaviors. Both of these elements are needed in the appropriate balance to keep a classroom running smoothly and focused on learning.
According to classroom management theorist Howard Glasser and his Nurtured Heart Approach, effective classroom managers should incorporate the following three key elements into their classroom management approach: refusing to energize negativity, energizing the positive, and providing and upholding a perfect level of limits. (Ahmann, 2014) By refusing to reward misbehavior with time or attention, teachers remove energy from negative actions. This can be done by using a short "reset" or a conscious removal of a misbehaving or unfocused student from classroom interactions. Teachers should reward students by energizing success through the recognition and honoring of appropriate behavior and supporting positive choices. Additionally, teachers should provide students with consistent and clear rules to provide defined limits and boundaries along with appropriate consequences for breaking rules. (Children's Success Foundation, n.d.)
Using elements theorist Jim Fay's Love and Logic Approach to classroom management, teachers provide misbehaving students with two choices, both of which are acceptable to the teacher. The student must make a choice in a designated amount of time (several seconds) or the teacher makes the choice for the student. (Fay, 2007) Offering students with choices, allows each student to feel ownership of shared power in the classroom.
I believe effective classroom management involves an open line of communication between the teacher and the students. It is the teacher's role to develop limits for students' behavior in the classroom and modify rules and procedures to best fit the needs of students. Also, students need to be included in the rule making process, as this provides students with an opportunity to have a voice in the way a classroom is managed. By creating a balanced system of teacher direction and student input, a classroom can experience effective management.
According to classroom management theorist Howard Glasser and his Nurtured Heart Approach, effective classroom managers should incorporate the following three key elements into their classroom management approach: refusing to energize negativity, energizing the positive, and providing and upholding a perfect level of limits. (Ahmann, 2014) By refusing to reward misbehavior with time or attention, teachers remove energy from negative actions. This can be done by using a short "reset" or a conscious removal of a misbehaving or unfocused student from classroom interactions. Teachers should reward students by energizing success through the recognition and honoring of appropriate behavior and supporting positive choices. Additionally, teachers should provide students with consistent and clear rules to provide defined limits and boundaries along with appropriate consequences for breaking rules. (Children's Success Foundation, n.d.)
Using elements theorist Jim Fay's Love and Logic Approach to classroom management, teachers provide misbehaving students with two choices, both of which are acceptable to the teacher. The student must make a choice in a designated amount of time (several seconds) or the teacher makes the choice for the student. (Fay, 2007) Offering students with choices, allows each student to feel ownership of shared power in the classroom.
I believe effective classroom management involves an open line of communication between the teacher and the students. It is the teacher's role to develop limits for students' behavior in the classroom and modify rules and procedures to best fit the needs of students. Also, students need to be included in the rule making process, as this provides students with an opportunity to have a voice in the way a classroom is managed. By creating a balanced system of teacher direction and student input, a classroom can experience effective management.
Why is Effective Classroom Management Critical?
Without effective classroom management practices in place, valuable classroom time will be lost. Instead of spending additional time managing the classroom, correcting students, or reviewing appropriate classroom behavior, teachers and students in a well managed classroom are left with more time to spend on instruction and learning.
According to researchers, a teacher's actions in the classroom have double the influence on students' learning and success than factors such as school policies on curriculum, assessment, staff collaboration, and community involvement. (Marzano & Marzano, 2003) With this research in mind, teachers should intentionally consider how they will use effective classroom management with their students.
According to researchers, a teacher's actions in the classroom have double the influence on students' learning and success than factors such as school policies on curriculum, assessment, staff collaboration, and community involvement. (Marzano & Marzano, 2003) With this research in mind, teachers should intentionally consider how they will use effective classroom management with their students.