Classroom Management
Techniques that Create
Safe and Inclusive
Learning Environments
Lisa Allen, Ed. D.
Assistant Professor
Campbellsville University
Classroom Management
Defined
Write a definition of
classroom management
that you feel clarifies its
key intent, elements,
and principles.
Explain to a new teacher
what classroom
management is in terms
of what he/she will be
doing in the classroom—
and why. The definition
should help the new
teacher develop an
image of classroom
management in action.
Develop a metaphor,
analogy, or visual
symbol that you think
represents and clarifies
what’s important to
understand about
classroom management.
Developing A Philosophy of
Classroom Management
Extent of the Problem
Extent of the Problem
• Discipline and violence rated most serious problem facing
American public schools. Lack of financial support and
discipline most serious problem facing today’s schools. Delta
Kappa-Gallop Poll, 2008
• Fighting/violence/gangs cited as 4th most serious concern.
Rose and Gallop, 2008
• Nonfatal crimes decreased 62 percent in 2007 from previous
six years.
• Threats have remained the same—eight percent of school
population reported being threatened or injured with a
weapon.
• 25 percent of high school students report that drugs were
made available to them.
• 2007 Indicator of School Crime and Safety Report
•
•
•
•
18 percent principals/teachers report disrespect
Nine percent report verbal abuse
Two percent report widespread classroom disorder
Eight percent secondary and four percent elementary report
actual physical attack by student
Bullying
• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
report
• One in five fifth through tenth graders report they bully
classmates.
• National Center for Educational Statistics indicate:
•
•
•
•
•
•
28 percent of students report being bullied in the past six months
53 percent have been bullied once or twice in a six month period.
25 percent said they were bullied once or twice a month.
11 percent reported being bullied once or twice a week.
Eight percent report they are bullied daily.
79 percent report being bullied on school grounds.
• Older students report less bullying.
• Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students are bullied
the most.
Effective Teachers
Research demonstrates that,
“effective teachers appear to be
effective with all students of all
achievement levels regardless of
the heterogeneity of their classes,”
(Marzano, 2003).
Prosocial Behavior
Jeopardy Time
Prosocial vs. Rewards and Punishment
Methods of Classroom Management
Prosocial Behavior Methods
Rewards and Punishment Methods
• Increased self esteem and self
awareness
• Acknowledges and validates student’s
feelings
• Larger investment of time for the
teacher
• Focuses on the well being of the child
• Teacher models prosocial behavior in
a safe, collaborative environment
• Behavior problems are viewed as
learning opportunities
• Problem solving and social
competence skills transfer into the
world outside the classroom/school
• Respects diverse cultures
• Students who are able to maneuver
this system feel successful
• Effectively controls student behavior
in the short term
• Less time consuming
• Focuses on the smooth running of
the classroom
• Teacher is dominant figure in
classroom management
• Behavior problems are viewed as
interruptions
• Often incongruent with child’s life
outside of the classroom
• Does not take into account diversity
Four Knowledge and Skill Areas
of Classroom Management
1. It should be based on current research and theory and
students’ personal and psychological needs.
2. It depends on creating a positive learning environment
of community support based on positive teacherstudent and peer relationships and positive
relationships with students’ families.
3. It involves instructional excellence by utilizing
strategies that meet the academic needs of individual
students and the group.
4. It involves utilizing a wide range of counseling and
behavioral methods that involve students in self
monitoring and self correcting.
Six Basic Assumptions about
Classroom Management
1. It is about creating a safe, comfortable learning
environment for all students.
2. It is directly linked to effective instruction.
3. It enhances student ownership, responsibility, and
personal efficacy regarding their own learning.
4. It involves developing new behavior skills for working
collaboratively.
5. It requires teachers to reflect on their values and
beliefs regarding working with students.
6. It is both professional and personal integration of
professional knowledge and skills with students’
individual needs.
Factors that Influence Classroom
Management Decisions
• Teacher’s Cultural Background and Personal History
Traditional—Teacher as authority figure, strict rules,
clear and escalating responses to student behavior
Liberal Progressive—Teacher involves students in
decision making and problem solving
Socially Critical—Student misbehavior viewed as a
response to failure to meet their learning needs
• Teacher’s Beliefs Regarding the Goals of Schooling
Do you believe schools should teach morality and values?
Do you believe it is possible to teach students content
only?
What morals and values may we be unconsciously
teaching students?
Activity 1: Group Discussion
• What is the most common cause of student
misbehavior?
• When students misbehave, what type of teacher
response or consequence is the most effective?
Why?
• As a parent or someone caring for children
outside of a school setting, how do I usually
respond to a behavior problem?
• How do my current responses relate to those
that were used with me when I was growing up?
Resources
Jones, V. & Jones, L. (2010). Comprehensive Classroom
Management: Creating Communities of Support and
Solving Problems. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Merrill.
Lake, V. (2004). Ante up: Reconsidering classroom
management philosophies so every child is a winner.
Early Child Development and Care, 174(6), 565-574.
Marzano, R. (2003). Classroom Management that Works.
Alexandria, Virginia: Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development.
Twain, N. (Producer). (1989). Lean on Me [Motion picture].
[With M. Freeman, B. Todd, & R. Guillaume]. United
States: Warner Bros. Pictures.