Here’s a few classroom procedures that have worked well for me – and a couple awesome ideas I’ve run across since I’ve stepped out of the classroom...
Do you ever have students who start moving before you’re finished giving directions – like as soon as they hear the first step, they think it’s time to go? It used to happen in my classroom ALL. THE. TIME. Then a few minutes later, I’d have a little sweetie asking, “What do I do next?” …
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Every teacher needs a few fun, fast, easy, tricks up his/her sleeve. Here are a few easy classroom management tricks I've picked up over the years. Need a Second to Get Ready for the Next
Even if you're a great teacher, even if you're a swell person most days, sometimes it all gets to be too much and you just snap.
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Do you find yourself repeating expectations in your classroom everyday? Classroom Procedure Visuals help model expectations and SAVE your SANITY!... | classroom
Have a chatty class? Do your talkative students get louder and louder during small groups until it feels like chaos? Do they talk when you'r...
Keep your classroom organized, your sanity intact, and your social media channels popping.
My first year of teaching was full of disruptive students in the beginning. That is, until I discovered this method to control my class!
Today I am brining you the perfect combination of back to school ice-breakers and games for those first days of school! Back to school is a crazy time and we all want to hit the ground running. There are routines and procedures to teach and we are ready to get to them the second those kids walk in the door. Building community and getting to know
These ideas will seriously cut your stress.
These are the 5 Procedures Every Classroom Needs. From hall passes to supplies to absent work, find the procedures to make your classroom work.
3 common classroom behavior problems and creative ways to handle them
The ticket system has been a game-changing classroom management strategy for my own high school science classroom.
Get inspired by creative and fun classroom wall ideas including murals, posters, bulletin boards, selfie stations and so much more!
IEPs and RTI. Progress monitoring and data collection. This simple system has worked for me for years. Sharing a FREE, simple, easy, and effective way to save you time... and your sanity. Learn more now!
How to put systems in place to help students work independently.
Indoor recess got you down? Check out this post for 20+ ideas to keep it your sanity and make it FUN for your students. Games, activities...
I am here today to spread the gospel of the glue sponge! If you haven’t fallen in love with glue sponges yet, then I’m guessing you haven’t tried them! I first learned about glue sponges from Smedley’s Kindergarten Smorgasbord. I thought it was a cool idea, but I also thought, “nah, I’m doing OK.” Glue sticks and bottled glue hadn’t yet become my enemies. Enter interactive notebooks. We started going through about 500 glue sticks a day. When we tried glue bottles, the phrase “dot, dot, not a lot” was forgotten
Ok readers out there, it's time to get real with you about myself, my challenging students, and what I have done to change student behaviors lately. Let me start by saying, I am patient. I am calm. I can count on one hand the number of times I have actually been angry in the last year. I love working with first graders and have a special place in my heart for students with special needs, learning disabilities, and ADHD. However, the one thing that can get under my skin like nothing else is an intentionally disruptive and defiant child. You know, the one that you ask to sit down who looks you in the eye and does the opposite. Or the one who plays their desk like a drum with a pencil (while yelling "I don't know how to do it") after you've given directions and modeled 3 times? The one who is ALWAYS seeking your attention, but not in a good way. Grr! Last week I have to admit that I nearly lost my mind. Tuesday was a rough day. Like, my body was physically shaking I was so upset and filled with adrenaline. It started like any day with one particular child constantly interrupting, wandering the room, refusing to complete tasks, and being all around disruptive. I had tried a token system, staying firm, staying calm, nothing seemed to be able to manage this child. After he tore up my room for over an hour while we were waiting for his parents to get there, I said to myself "This isn't worth it. I'm not able to teach. He is ONE child. What about the rest?" And was about ready to resign. Once I got home and collected myself, I knew quitting wasn't actually in my heart. I was just overwhelmed. I immediately started researching ways to help attention seeking children. Even though I felt like I was already doing many of the things they suggested, I had to dig deep and keep trying. Here is what I've done based on the research. So far, it has made a drastic improvement. Was it a perfect week? No. Have the child and I both left school each day feeling much better and seeing positive changes? Yes. So to me, it's a start. When babies are born they quickly learn that when they smile, learn something new, and show signs of love, they often get a positive response and attention from their parents. Sometimes this doesn't happen like when parents aren't around or are focused on something/someone else whether intentionally (neglect) or not (working, raising multiple kids, dealing with their own issues, etc.). This forces the child to resort to drastic measures (crying, hitting a sibling, getting into trouble) just to get noticed. After all, isn't some attention, even negative, better than feeling ignored? This research put my little guy's struggles into perspective for me. Basically, in his mind he is lacking a sense of security and attention/love. He was desperate for attention and boy was I giving it to him. Only I had been giving him negative attention despite my best efforts. It is very important to learn to ignore the behaviors that are negatively seeking attention (calling out, wandering, disruptive, etc.). It is hard, I'm not gonna lie! However, each time you bring attention to the behavior or redirect the child, you are giving them exactly what they want. Your time and focus. This is NOT what we want. We do not want them to keep learning that being disruptive is the way to get you to notice them. Please note, I am not saying ignore something like a physical fight or destroying property, etc. When something like this does happen you do need to address it. However, keep your interactions in a neutral tone (easier said then done, I know) and brief. For example, " We do not hit." Sit the child down, and walk away. Or, "It is not ok to break things." Pick up the item, and walk away. They will try to test you. Dig deep, stay calm and focus on not letting them get a rise out of you. You cannot get into an argument or turn a situation into a long discussion. Don't waste more of your classes time. If you need to walk them to their desk 20 times in a row then do it, do not say anything, avoid eye contact, and walk away. Eventually, the child will stay where you put them and will cool down. You can then address the problem in a calm way, on your own terms/timeline. Meanwhile, you have continued to give your full attention to the class and the teaching. If we are now ignoring the negative attention seeking behaviors, we must replace them. Remember, the whole reason the child is doing this is because somewhere deep down they are feeling ignored or unloved. The research suggests giving random attention throughout the day at a similar rate to their current attention seeking behaviors. For example, if they are trying to get your attention in a negative way once every 5 minutes at first, then you must replace this with some form of positive attention once every 5 minutes. This can be verbal praise, eye contact, a smile, a pat of the shoulder, a thumbs up, time with you, a quick chat with you checking in, etc. This attention is given when you see them on task, making good choices, or on the verge of a meltdown (catch and redirect before things escalate and negative attention is warranted). I spent the last few days really taking time to show this child love. Each morning I am checking in with him as soon as he walks in the door, asking about his night, setting a tone for a great day. Rather than hush the class during lunch so I can try to inhale some form of food, I've let them all just talk to me. I have given the child the chance to walk with me in line, and help me hold things. I have filled his mind with sincere praise and asked him to be a leader. I even sat with him for 5 minutes during indoor recess to color a Ninja Turtle picture. Did I have a thousand other things I needed to be doing? Yes, of course. But, these 5 minutes of quality time meant the world to both of us. I could see him as a little boy just wanting someone to color with him, rather than the child I had started dreading spending the day with earlier in the year. Many times, these attention seeking kids are smart kiddos! They know how to work the system, and us! They have had to learn to be this way. As teachers, we need to teach them that they also have the potential to be different. I started Wednesday morning by pulling my little guy aside and talking with him. I explained how sad I had felt the day before and how today I knew he was going to prove to himself, and me, that he could make better choices. I also let him know that if he was ever just feeling like he needed a hug, he could ask for one or just come get one. I told him that today I was going to take time for just me and him, as long as he did his part to help the class get their work done. I then gave him that time, just me and him. I explained that if he needed me, I would always be there for him but he did need to raise his hand like everyone else. I also promised to always come check on him, but that he also needed to give me time to help other kids too. Getting him to trust me will take time. It will also take time for our bond to grow. He needs to learn that I will come back to him, I will love him even if he has an off day, and that I will continue to push him to succeed because I see the potential in him. It may seem unfair to give so much attention to just one or two children, but remember, the goal is to limit their distractions and fill a void in their lives. Teaching the rest of your class will be much more manageable once these children are settled. Every day will not go smoothly. They will test your limits and call your bluffs. Dig deep and remember that this child needs you just as much as the rest of your students, if not more. Finally, know that one huge hug (practically tackle) on a Friday afternoon WILL change your life and bring you to tears. Your bond is beginning to grow, this child's trust of you is forming, and for possibly the first time, they have found a source of love, in YOU. What strategies have you found to work best with your attention seeking students? To share with a teacher friend who is having a tough time, Pin for Later
Podcasts in the classroom are so fun and engaging! Have you jumped on the podcast train yet?! I have a great system for using podcasts in the classroom...
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The end of the day can be a chaotic time in your classroom. Use these end of the school day procedures to save your sanity.
This simple behavior management strategy allowed me to anticipate possible behaviors that would happen and plan my reaction or consequence.
These are the 5 Procedures Every Classroom Needs. From hall passes to supplies to absent work, find the procedures to make your classroom work.
Having an ESL student in your classroom is a rewarding yet overwhelming experience. Here are 9 tips that will help you help them in the classroom.
Transform your classroom into a sanctuary of focus and sanity with our No TikTok Talk! Banned Words Classroom Poster. Designed to help teachers reclaim their classrooms from the barrage of trendy slang, this poster clearly lists the words and phrases that are off-limits, keeping the environment free from the brainrot of TikTok language. Banned Words & Phrases: Skibid Sigma Rizz Mewing Gyatt "Bet" "It's the __ for me" Bussin Ohio "Let him cook" Baddie These are more than just words—they’re the source of endless distractions and headaches for educators everywhere. By banning these phrases, you're taking a stand against the infiltration of TikTok culture in your classroom, ensuring that learning stays the priority. Why This Poster? This isn’t just about being strict; it’s about protecting the mental well-being of teachers and maintaining a classroom environment where students can thrive. With so much slang and viral lingo floating around, it’s easy for conversations to get off track. Our poster is a light-hearted but effective reminder that some words just don’t belong in a learning space. Key Features: Printable Download: Instant access to your own high-resolution file, so you can print it out at your convenience. High-Quality Design: Professionally designed for clarity and impact, ensuring it stands out on any wall. Durable: Print on quality paper to ensure it lasts the whole school year (and maybe beyond!). Ideal for teachers who want to draw a clear line in the sand, this poster serves as both a humorous and practical solution to the problem of distracting slang. Download your file today and hang it up to help keep your classroom TikTok-free and focused on what really matters—learning!
Cheap, easy, done.
FREE Call Backs and attention getters for the kindergarten classroom! Great classroom management tool!
Departmentalizing can be tough in elementary. Here are some great tips to get you organized so that your first weeks go smoothly!
Ideas for math centers in the primary grades.
This computer cart organization saved my sanity in the classroom. Organize your computer cart with these quick and easy steps.
Learn how to create a highly effective classroom attention signal that will get even the chattiest teens to stop talking over you!
As a beginning teacher mentor, I have the privilege of helping our future educators wrap their brains around the many components of teaching. This requires me to get my own brain back into what it felt like to start out - the details I would miss, what I struggled the most with, and the mistakes
My first year of teaching was full of disruptive students in the beginning. That is, until I discovered this method to control my class!
Strategies that help.
These are the 5 Procedures Every Classroom Needs. From hall passes to supplies to absent work, find the procedures to make your classroom work.
Learn about science curriculum created for self-contained special education classrooms by a real special education teacher!
