Gaining respect and control over a classroom full of children can be particularly difficult,especially in middle school. Children are not as prone to listen passively to classroom management techniques as they might be at the elementary level. Discipline techniques you might have used at the elementary school level may not work with students as they get older. However, there are things that a teacher, or school can do to help control behavior in elementary, middle and high school classrooms.
Instructions
1. Make sure you lay your rules out from the beginning. If you are a substitute, they should be on the board when the kids come in. They hate rules at this age. Keep them limited and to the point. I like to call them procedures, and not rules. This is your first step in maintaining discipline in the classroom.
2. Sometimes just moving a child to a different area of the room will solve a disruption. Tell them quietly and firmly where you would like them to move. Teachers and substitute teachers use this technique frequently.
3. Let children know the procedures in place if they disrupt the class. For instance, you might say if you are a substitute, my first step is to write your name on the board for the teacher. My second step is to leave a note for the teacher, and send you to another class. The third and final step is sending them to the office, for which they will probably get detention.
4. Walk around and monitor the room. As you are walking occasionally ask if a child needs help, or how they are doing.
5. It is better to offer rewards than punishment. I like to tell the class that if they do their work, they will be allowed to talk for the last 5-8 minutes of class, but they will be required to stay in their seats.
6. Give them choices as to how they want the classroom to run. If it is a small class, and they are working, I will allow them to work in groups. They have to keep their talking at an acceptable level, or they go back to independent work.
7. The most important thing to do with kids at the middle to high school level is attempt to make them your allies. Teachers should try to get students on your side, let them know you are there for them. Do not belittle them, or reprimand them in front of their friends. Take them to the side to admonish. It is all about appearances at this age. If you confront them in front of the class, they will lose face and you will lose their trust. Long term, this will damage your relationship and credibility with all the kids.
8. Give tons of praise, but be specific. They are very smart at this age. They know when you are just saying it to say it. For instance, do not say, "Wow, you are such a great writer." Instead say, "Wow, you did a fabulous job on your research paper." This is specific and measurable. You will gain a students trust, because they will see that your praise is genuine.
9. As a master teacher, you should try to use "I" statements instead of "You" statements. In other words, do not say, "You did not do well," instead say, "I do not feel you did your best on this project." Again, it is specific and non-accusatory.
10. Be fair. Do not punish the whole classroom for a few students. If you are not positive someone did something, do not punish them for the offense. You will lose the respect of the whole class, which lays the groundwork for mutiny.
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