A teacher’s ability to manage a classroom effectively has long been acknowledged as a necessary skill for effective teaching.  Perhaps this statement is the reason why classroom management and discipline cause the most fear and consternation in new teachers.  New teachers must understand that classroom management is a skill that is not only learned but practiced daily in order to find that strategies that “work” for each class

In this section new teachers will find tips and strategies to help them get started on the process of developing effective classroom management skills.  In addition, a list of resources is provided at the end of the section.

Internet Links:

Training Modules from the IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University
The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements at Vanderbilt University offers free online interactive resources that translate research about the education of students with disabilities into practice. The materials cover evidence-based topics such as student behavior, Response to Intervention, learning strategies, and progress monitoring. The following are training modules from the IRIS Center:

• Who's in Charge? Developing a Comprehensive Behavior Management System This module addresses the importance of forming a behavior management system, one of many beginning teachers’ biggest worry!

• You're in Charge! Developing Your Own Comprehensive Behavior Management Plan A complement to the above module which addresses the importance of a management plan, this module will help you actually develop a comprehensive behavior management plan for use in your own classroom.

• Addressing Disruptive and Noncompliant Behaviors (Part 1): Understanding the Acting-Out Cycle The first in a two-part series, this module discusses problem behavior in terms of the stages of the acting-out cycle and suggests ways to respond to students in the cycle's different phases.

• Addressing Disruptive and Noncompliant Behaviors (Part 2): Behavioral Interventions The second in a two-part series, this module describes interventions that can increase initial compliance to teacher requests as well as interventions that can be implemented to decrease disruptive and noncompliant behaviors.

• New!  Functional Behavioral Assessment: Identifying the Reasons for Problem Behavior and Developing a Behavior PlanThis module explores the basic principles of behavior and the importance of discovering the reasons that students engage in problem behavior. The steps to conducting a functional behavioral assessment and developing a behavior plan are described.

General Classroom Management Resources:

Strategies for Classroom Management Check out these tips that are advertised to help you cut down on discipline problems and leave you with fewer interruptions and disruptions.

Top 10 Tips for Classroom Management and Discipline This link gives tips for promoting good discipline in the classroom from being consistent to ways to develop a rapport with your students.

Classroom Organization and Management Program This link connects you to Vanderbilt's COMP website which offers great ideas on everything from how to setup your classroom to developing effective rules and procedures.
 

Documents available for download:

• Behavior Expectations (PDF) Guidelines for taking your expectations for your students and turning them into effective classroom rules.
• Classroom Management/Procedures (PDF) Insight into developing procedures and routines to aid in creating an environment with less interruptions and confusion.
• Classroom Disruptions (PDF) Ways to deal with interruptions in the classroom from a disruptive student to an unexpected guest.
• Managing Student Discipline (PDF) A concise list of tips to keep your students’ behavior on track and your classroom running smoothly.