EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM
MANAGEMENT
Part 1: Rules, Procedures,
Routines, and Effective Room
Arrangement
Modified 7/04
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Rules and Procedures
• Rules are stated expectations regarding behavior
• Procedures identify routines for specific activities
• Classroom rules and procedures are dependent
upon school and district
– What rules are specifically forbidden or required
(possession of drugs, hall permits)
– What consequences occur for rule violations (tardies,
attendance, discipline reporting)
– Administrative procedures (for assigning texts,
collecting fees, taking roll)
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1. Establish Classroom Rules
• Limit to 5-8 rules or guidelines, possibly:
– Bring all needed materials to class
• Routines help reinforcement – i.e., labs every Monday, tests on
Thursdays
– Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings
• Pencils sharpened, materials ready, warm-ups completed
– Respect and be polite to all people
• And: Listen and stay seated when someone is talking
– Respect other’s property
• Keep room neat, pick up letter, don’t write on desks
– Obey all school rules
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2. Establish Procedures &
Routines
• For beginning-of-period activities
– Attendance (need attendance forms, seating chart, tardy
slips, grade book) – LEGAL RECORD!
– Student absences (Signing slips, providing makeup
work and handouts, taking late work)
– Student tardies (have routine [sign in sheet?] to avoid
constant disruptions)
– What students do while you take roll
– Permission to leave class
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2. Establish Procedures &
Routines
• For use of materials and equipment
– What may students access and retrieve?
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Texts, dictionaries, print resources
Pencil sharpener
Returned work, makeup work and handouts
Art supplies/lab equipment
Computers
– What is off limits for students?
• Grade book, attendance records, teacher desk
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2. Establish Procedures &
Routines
• For behavior during instruction
– Student attention Student participation (How to ask
questions, contribute to discussion, receive help, choral response)
– Seatwork (Talking among students, obtaining help, getting out of seat,
turning in work, after work is completed)
• For groupwork
– Student participation (Taking turns in discussion, collaborating
on assignments, dividing up responsibilities)
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Use of materials and supplies (who will bring what)
Assignment of students to groups
Monitoring students and providing feedback
Assessing student work
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2. Establish Procedures &
Routines
• For ending the period
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Returning materials
Room clean up
Assigning homework
Dismissing class
• For student needs
– Personal grooming, cell phone/beeper use, collecting
their materials, restroom use, eating, chewing gum
• For class interruptions
– Announcements, office workers, visitors, fire and
disaster drills
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3. Have a Room Arrangement
that Facilitates Effective
Classroom Management
5 Keys:
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Arrangement
Congestion
Teacher View and Access
Material Access
Student View and Access
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KEY 1: Arrangement
• Use a room arrangement consistent with your
instructional goals and activities.
– What are your favorite instructional formats?
• Decide first: Where will you conduct whole class instruction?
– need table or lectern
• How will you organize student groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
– Where will you put
• TV/VCR/Projector (Electrical outlet? Cords out of the way?)
• Storage/bookshelves/work areas for you/students/TAs
– If you have needs – ask!
• Replace damaged student furniture
• Have the chalkboard and bulletin boards you need
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KEY 2: No Congestion
• Keep traffic areas free of congestion.
– Keep pathway clear of cords,boxes, etc.
– Maintain easy access to pencil sharpener, trash can,
doorways, bookshelves, supply areas, teacher’s desk,
computers
• Class sets of texts (how will students retrieve, check for return?)
• Permission for sharpener and trash
• Easy provision of student supplies (include pencil bag w/highlighter,
pen, pencil, etc in notebook as part of points)
– What and how will you provide? (set of boxes w/glue, markers, tape,
ruler, crayons, post-its)
• Sign in (who, what, when) and requirements for computer use (all
work submitted, good citizenship grade, no absences)
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KEY 3: Teacher Access
• Be sure students are easily seen by the
teacher
– Students who have something to hide often sit
at the back of the room
– Control all parts your room by desk in one spot,
lectern in another
• Make sure all students are easily
accessible by the teacher
– Don’t avoid students because you can’t get to
them
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KEY 4: Material Access
• Keep frequently used teaching materials and
student supplies readily accessible.
• Determine what students will retrieve versus what
you will supply:
– Class texts, notebooks, returned homework, art
supplies, lab materials
– Have space for students to store their notebooks
– Assign responsibilities to reduce congestion and limit
who has access
– Post daily activities so students will know what is
needed when they enter the classroom
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KEY 5: Student Access
• Be certain students can easily see instructional
presentations.
– Determine regular room arrangement by
• how often you use chalk/whiteboards, overhead/LCD projector,
TV/VCR, and
• your most common instructional format.
– Bulletin boards and Wall Displays
• Post student work, instructionally relevant material, decorative items,
assignments, rules, schedules, a clock, school spirit, correct paper
heading, and other items.
• Don’t overdecorate. Change displays periodically.
• Laminate when possible for reuse.
• Where to find materials?
– Excellent student work (ask to keep!), business and industry, travel
posters, school supply stores, magazines, Internet
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IF YOU HAVE TO FLOAT
• Have an honest discussion with teachers whose classrooms
you share
– Basic needs:
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Overhead projector! (even if you have to transport it all day)
Permanent space on the whiteboards
Permanent space on the bulletin board
Drawer/cabinet/bookshelf space
Sufficient desks
– Create Travel Bag
• On wheels!
• W/files for student work and lesson handouts; transparency sheets and
markers, chalk, pens, pencils, paper, paper clips, tissues, rubber bands
• Color code folders for each class
– Assign responsibilities to students/TAs to assist you before class
starts (w/role, arranging chairs, positioning projector, distributing
materials)
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