Support and Training in Effective Classroom Management
Admin Home
Here you will find tools you can use to directly support teachers in your building to develop effective classroom management systems and practices. Additionally, you can review the resources to determine those that would be helpful to disseminate to individuals in the role of supporting teachers, such as instructional coaches, school psychologists, and other staff who can provide consultation with teachers.
Admin Home
Getting Started with Strategies
If you are interested in learning about the classroom strategies available on this site, go to the Check-Up Menu, where you can select an area of focus (e.g., use of praise) and see a menu of strategy options that align with that focus. Each strategy has videos and tools to support teachers in implementing these strategies in their classrooms. You may also want to review the Coaching Process so that you know how a coach and teacher might work together to improve classroom management.
Getting Started with Your Team
Begin by inviting team members through the My Team page. A dashboard will populate letting you know when a teacher receives feedback, sets a goal, and when they complete a planning form. It will help you know which stage teachers and the coaches working with teachers are in the process.
The Classroom Check-Up provides tools for teachers to improve areas that need attention and to implement strategies suggested during the coaching process.
Example 2: Teacher Interview
Video Prompts
This teacher discusses the struggle between getting through academic work and building relationships.
She reflects on how building relationships can actually save time later on.
Reflecting On Video
How important is relationship building to you when working with your students?
What are some ideas for what you can do in your classroom to build positive relationships with even the students who are hardest to reach?
Example 1: Hug
Video Prompts
This teacher greets every student as they come in the door in the morning.
Notice how the teacher states each student’s name.
Notice that students choose how they want to be greeted by receiving a hug or high five. This allows all the students to feel comfortable with the greeting.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how this teacher greeted each student as they arrived?
How might you go about greeting each student?
What do you think the benefits are to greeting students every day?
Greeting Students at the Door
Using Journals to Build Relationships
Identifying Reinforcers for the Classroom
Example 2: Sharing
Video Prompts
A student is concerned about a peer using his pencil.
Notice how the teacher prompts possible solutions with a focus toward the students “doing their number one job.”
Notice how, despite the fact that the boy does not choose to share, the teacher compliments the peer who chose to give the pencil to the boy.
Notice how she points out that Sofia (peer) was so kind and was a good friend.
Notice how she calmly discusses how the boy in the video could think about sharing in the future.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how this teacher used coaching to help the students solve the problem?
What might you do differently?
How do you see yourself using social-emotional coaching in your classroom?
Example 1: Problem Solving
Video Prompts
The students in this video are working together on an activity. One student comments that others are cheating.
Notice how the teacher recognizes the problem from across the room (see Using Active Supervision).
Notice how she prompts the students to find the solution.
Notice how she makes sure all the students understand the activity before leaving to help other students.
Her use of praise following a student responding helps to get other students on task and makes it more likely that students will respond quickly in the future.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how this teacher used coaching to help the students solve the problem?
What might you do differently?
How do you see yourself using social-emotional coaching in your classroom?
Using Social and Emotional Coaching
Example 3: Learner Look
Video Prompts
Listen for the behavior-specific praise statement, “I like how Brooke is ready to go with her learner look.”
Notice how this teacher provides feedback to the students who are demonstrating they are ready by having a “learner look.”
Listen for when the teacher says, “Let’s give Bailey a big hand for doing such a good job,” prompting the whole class to compliment a student.
Lastly, notice how she uses behavior-specific praise (“I like the way people are raising their hands.“) to let students know it is important to raise their hands to answer.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how this teacher used praise in her classroom?
How do you think Bailey felt when her class recognized her good work?
How might you incorporate some of what you saw in this video into your daily teaching?
Using Behavior-specific Praise
Example 3: Private Comments
Video Prompts
Notice how the teacher checks in with each student as they do independent work.
She comments on their work, provides feedback as needed, and gives a lot of praise privately to each student.
Reflecting On Video
How do you think the students felt as the teacher privately gave each praise or commented on their work?
What did you like about the way the teacher used active supervision here?
How might you incorporate some of what you saw in this video into your daily teaching?
Example 2: Moving Between Desks
Video Prompts
Notice how the teacher moves around the room between the desks, commenting on the work she sees as she goes.
Notice how the teacher provides behavior-specific praise (“I see very neat and pretty writing. Good job.“).
Reflecting On Video
How do you think the way the teacher moved around the room and commented on the work helped to keep students on task?
What did you like about the way the teacher actively supervised the students’ work?
What could you do to make it easier for you to move around your classroom and use active supervision?
Example 1: Dot Charts
Video Prompts
This video demonstrates a teacher using dot charts during active supervision.
Notice how the teacher comments on the student’s work, provides feedback, and then puts a dot on the student’s chart. When the chart is full, the student knows they will earn a reward.
Reflecting On Video
How might using dot charts with your students help keep them engaged in their work?
What did you like about the way the teacher used active supervision here?
How might you incorporate some of what you saw in this video into your daily teaching?
Using Active Supervision
The Good Behavior Game: Rule - No Talking
Video Prompts
Notice how the teacher introduces the game to the class and breaks them into groups.
The Good Behavior Game helps teach student self-regulation by having them inhibit or not display misbehavior. If misbehavior occurs, the team earns a point.
Notice how the teacher explains the rule for that day.
The teacher also lets the student know how long the game will occur and what the reward will be for the team with the fewest points.
Notice that the teacher allows the students to ask questions before the game begins.
Notice that the teacher provides the reward immediately at the end of the game.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how this teacher used the Good Behavior Game?
How might you use the Good Behavior Game in your classroom?
Using Group Contingencies
Voice Level
Video Prompts
This teacher has already taught her students to use a number system to monitor the level of sound they should be using during an activity.
In this video, as she is passing out an assignment, she provides a precorrection to a make sure the students use the appropriate level of their voice (level 1 no more than level 2).
Reflecting On Video
How might giving this prompt prevent students from inadvertently being too loud during the assignment?
What did you like about how the teacher helped the students determine what level of sound was appropriate?
What activities or times of the day would it be useful to provide your students with a precorrection so that students know what to do before problems occur?
Using Precorrection
Teaching Behavior Expectations
Providing Academic Feedback
Example 4: Show Answers on Chest
Video Prompts
This teacher provides an opportunity to respond by letting all students answer the question and show her on their chest.
Notice how quickly the students respond, providing the teacher with quick feedback on whether everyone understands.
Reflecting On Video
What do you like about this way of having students answer?
Example 3: Yes Knocks
Video Prompts
This is an example of a teacher using “yes knocks” for students to respond to an academic question.
Reflecting On Video
How might you use this type of opportunity to respond in your classroom?
What would you do if students were not responding correctly?
Example 2: White Board
Video Prompts
This lesson demonstrates using white boards during math story problems.
Notice how the teacher uses a fast pace and lets the students know when they have completed the answer correctly.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how this teacher provided academic questions and gave students feedback?
How did she make fairly complicated math problems fun and interactive?
How might you incorporate some of what you saw and liked about how she explained the lesson in your classroom?
Example 1: Individual and Choral Responding
Video Prompts
Notice how she moves around the classroom as she asks questions of individual students.
She intersperses praise and describes what the students are doing well throughout.
She also asks the students to read and respond together.
She asks 14 OTRs in just over one minute. Wow!
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how the teacher included so many students and asked so many academic questions?
Why do you think the students were so engaged?
How might you incorporate some of what you saw and liked about from this video into your classroom practice?
Increasing Opportunities to Respond
Reviewing Writing Assignment
Video Prompts
Notice how she asks both individual questions and gets the attention of the room by saying, “I am looking for my active listener.“
She tells them what book she will be reading, “Seeds to Plants,” when they return from lunch.
Notice how she describes what the students will be required to do on the handout. She engages the class by asking questions along the way.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how the teacher explained the objectives of the handout?
How do you think the students in that class are feeling?
How might you incorporate some of what you saw and liked about how she explained the lesson in your classroom?
Developing and Using Clear Academic Objectives
Reviewing the Schedule
Video Prompts
Notice how this teacher reviews the schedule for the day with the students first thing in the morning.
This teacher demonstrates writing in cursive (a skill the class is working on) while going over the schedule.
What did you like about how the teacher reviewed the schedule for the day?
How could this be helpful to students?
How might you incorporate a review of the schedule into your mornings?
Posting and Using a Schedule
Coaching Process – Menu of Options
Coaching Process – Providing Feedback
Coaching Process – Introduction and Overview
Observation Practice 4
Observation Practice 3
Observation Practice 2
Observation Practice 1
Verbal with Hand Signal
Video Prompts
The students in this video are very excited about the activity. The teacher uses an attention signal that uses both her voice and a hand signal. Notice how quickly the students respond.
Notice that the teacher provides behavior-specific praise to the students who respond (see Using Behavior Specific Praise)
Her use of praise following a student responding helps to get other students on task and makes it more likely that students will respond quickly in the future.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about how this teacher used this attention signal?
How could you use a similar attention signal to help with transitions or giving instruction to your students?
Handclap
Video Prompts
This video shows a teacher using hand claps to gain the attention of the students before a transition.
Notice how the students clap back to show they know it is time to transition.
After gaining the attention of the students the teacher gives very specific directions so the students can transition smoothly.
Reflecting On Video
What did you like about this attention signal?
How does using a signal like this help students transition to the next task smoothly?
How might you incorporate this or other attention signals into your daily teaching?
Using an Attention Signal
Teaching Classroom Routines
Physical Classroom Structure
Values Card Sort – Example
Card Sort Introduction
Coaching – Interview Guide
Opening the Meeting
Defining and Teaching Classroom Rules
Mrs. James
Miss Faber
◆ Classroom Climate
What is Classroom Climate?
Classroom climate is a term used to give attention to a constellation of factors including teacher-student interactions, teacher tone, student-student interactions, the overall level of respect for one another, and classroom orderliness.
Having positive, respectful teacher-student relationships is the foundation to effective classroom management.
Why is it important?
Positive classroom climates are ones in which students feel important, supported, respected, and valued. Classroom climates that foster effective teacher-student relationships are associated with increased academic engagement and student satisfaction with school. Climates where students do not feel respected or valued lead to student disengagement in school, resulting in higher levels of disruptive behavior.
Concentration Areas
Use of Noncontingent Attention
Interactions with Students
Level of Disruptive Behavior
● Behavior Management
What is Behavior Management?
Behavior management is a term used to give attention to classroom strategies that respond to student behaviors and the extent to which these are done consistently. Effective behavior management is NOT about gaining student compliance. Instead, effective behavior management includes strategies to promote positive classroom behaviors and prevent problems before they occur, while responding to misconduct in a calm and consistent manner.
Effective behavior management is proactive, placing emphasis on preventing problems rather than waiting to punish behaviors after they occur.
Why is it important?
Effective behavior management practices are linked to improvements in student social behavior and academics. Ineffective behavior management in the classroom can interfere with academic instruction, increase student risk for emotional and behavior problems, and lead to high levels of teacher stress.
Concentration Areas
Behavioral Expectations Clear
Active Supervision
Use of Praise
Use of Reprimands
Positive to Negative Ratio
Used Variety of Reinforcement
■ Instruction Management
What is Instruction Management?
Instructional management is a term used to give attention to teacher preparation of academic lessons and the extent to which academic instruction is rigorous, relevant, and delivered at a pace appropriate to the content. Effective instructional management keeps students engaged in learning and decreases disruptive or off-task student behaviors.
Brisk pacing during teacher-led instruction has been shown to decrease problem behavior and increase academic achievement.
Why is it important?
There is a direct link between how instruction is delivered in a classroom and the behavior of students. Developmentally appropriate academic opportunities (i.e., those that are not too easy or too difficult) provide students mastery experiences that increase their academic efficacy. Further, when students are engaged in academic instruction, they have higher levels of achievement.
Concentration Areas
Schedule Posted and Followed
Academic Objectives Clear
Pacing
Student Accuracy
Student Engagement
▴ Classroom Structure
What is Classroom Structure?
Classroom structure is a term used to describe the actual physical layout of a classroom, organization of materials in the classroom, and the extent to which classroom expectations and routines are explicitly defined and taught. Well-structured classrooms are predictable and organized.
Crowded and cluttered classrooms can set the stage for problem behaviors.
Why is it important?
Well-structured classrooms increase efficiency, leaving more time for instruction and the promotion of positive academic and social behaviors among students. These include increased student attention, friendlier peer interactions, and less disruptive behavior and aggression.
Well-structured classrooms have established routines that align with classroom rules and expectations.