10 Things You Need to Know About Classroom Management

Tell me, how many blogs, podcasts, and videos on classroom management have you read/listened to/watched so far?

That’s what I thought.

By the end of this post, you will have a firm understanding of critical elements to support effective classroom management.

Because classroom management is such a complex topic, we will be spending a lot of time together.

As an educator with over 20 years of experience teaching in classrooms and supporting teachers in effective classroom management, I have made it my mission to help teachers like you create amazing classrooms where you and your students thrive.

Do you want to know more about guidance vs. discipline? Have a look over here. That information will give you a foundation for how to approach classroom management.

Now, let’s dive into everything you need to know about classroom management. You’ll be a master of it in no time!

Psst…Want resources to help you with more engagement and innovation for your classroom? I’ve got a Subscriber Hub full of useful FREE guides, templates, and mini trainings to support you.

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Classroom Management Element #1: Your Classroom Management Style

Before we delve into specific strategies, we need to look at your classroom management style.

What many teachers get wrong about classroom management is thinking a one-size-fits-all approach will work. You’ll just copy what another teacher does, and that will work for you and your students, right? Wrong!

Using a well-defined classroom management style allows you to tailor your teaching methods to individual needs, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

So what you need to understand to be successful is that once you have clarity regarding your classroom management style, you can figure out a plan, lose the frustration, and start gaining momentum in creating an effective learning environment.

For example, I once worked with a client who felt overwhelmed by the constant disruptions in her classroom. Together, we explored her unique teaching personality and the dynamics of her classroom.

We identified that her strengths were in creating engaging, interactive lessons, yet she was trying to maintain a very rigid and traditional classroom environment.

By aligning her classroom management strategies with her natural teaching style, she saw a significant decrease in disruptions and increased engagement.

Don’t be scared to reflect on and adjust your classroom management style.

How to prepare for refining your style

Before you jump in and make changes, there are some things you can do upfront to ensure the transition goes smoothly.

It’s important to self-reflect on your values and what you believe makes a positive learning environment. This helps you understand your current style and its impact, so you can make informed decisions about how to adjust and improve.

Here are some other tips to ensure success:

Engage in professional development. Seek out workshops and seminars that offer a range of classroom management philosophies and techniques. Exposure to diverse approaches can inspire you to adapt or adopt methods that resonate with your style and classroom needs.
Observe and learn. Spend time observing peers or mentors who have mastered classroom management. Take notes on how they handle various situations and consider how elements of their style could be incorporated into your approach.
Feedback loops. Implement a system for gathering regular feedback from your students about what works and what doesn’t in terms of classroom management. This empowers your students (more on that later!) and provides you with insights to refine your style.

Classroom Management Element #2: Mistaken Behavior vs. Misbehavior

Figuring out your ideal classroom management approach can be as straightforward or complicated as you make it.

I’m not saying it’s easy. This is a crucial step that many teachers struggle with, even after they have spent years experimenting with different strategies. It’s actually pretty common to revise your approach as you gain more knowledge and experience.

But what’s important when you’re just starting out is to keep your momentum going. Too many teachers waste time approaching challenging behaviors in the classroom as if students are purposefully misbehaving. And then they have a hard time implementing effective classroom management.

So if you’ve been struggling with this one, this post will differentiate between mistaken behavior and misbehavior.

Your students need you to understand what they are communicating so you can effectively address the behavior and their needs.

Some questions you can ask yourself to respond to challenging behavior are:

Question #1: Is the student lacking knowledge or skills to behave according to your expectations?
Question #2: What is the function of the behavior, or the need being expressed?
Question #3: How can I help the student to get that need met in a more prosocial way?

One of my clients found that with the help of my process for understanding and responding to challenging behavior, she could facilitate her students in getting their needs met in more appropriate and less disruptive ways.

As a result, all of her students became more engaged. And she began noticing improvements in their academic performance as well.

Classroom Management Element #3: Consistency

Did you shake your head and think, “Consistency won’t work in my class – every day is too unpredictable”?

Let’s talk about that for a minute.

This belief stems from the challenge of managing a classroom where each student has unique needs and where unexpected events can disrupt the best-laid plans.

However, the power of consistency isn’t about enforcing rigid rules or having every day look exactly the same.

Instead, it’s about establishing a reliable framework within which flexibility and adaptability can flourish. Think of consistency as the backbone of your classroom management strategy, providing a sense of security and predictability for your students.

One of my colleagues talks about the importance of adaptable consistency in classrooms with diverse learners. He says consistency is less about sameness than about being dependable in your responses, expectations, and support for students.

Basically, consistency means having clear structures in p;ace while being flexible enough to meet individual needs and respond to the day-to-day dynamics of your classroom.

Things to think about when it comes to implementing consistency:

Responsive routines. Develop classroom routines that offer structure but can accommodate the varied needs of your students. For instance, having a consistent morning check-in while allowing students to share in various formats, like verbally, in writing, or with a partner.
Consistent communication. Ensure your communication with students and families is regular and predictable. This might mean weekly updates or structured feedback sessions. The key is to make communication an expected and reliable part of your classroom culture.
Equitable enforcement. Apply your classroom rules and expectations consistently, but with an understanding of individual circumstances. This means being fair but flexible, using restorative practices to address issues and reinforce positive behavior.

Classroom Management Element #4: Relationships

When you think about your classroom management, what do you consider to be your key approach to building positive teacher-student relationships?

Hear me out. You have to be specific, because identifying your tailored approach to building these relationships will give you insight into your strengths as a teacher and how you can leverage these to create a more engaging, respectful, and supportive learning environment.

Dream big – imagine your classroom as a place where every student feels seen, understood, and motivated.

Building strong, positive relationships with your students is critical for several reasons.

It forms the foundation of your classroom culture, promotes student engagement, and helps manage behavior more effectively. When you know your students well, you can tailor your teaching methods to their individual needs, interests, and learning styles.

If you don’t get specific about how you nurture these relationships, you might miss out on deeply connecting with your students.

Such connections are not just important for academic success, but they are essential for emotional and social development.

Skipping this critical aspect of classroom management means you could waste precious time dealing with preventable conflicts, misunderstandings, or lack of engagement. Instead of progressing with your teaching, you may find yourself continuously forced to address disruptions and disconnection.

Check out this graphic below. Does this clarify how to build strong teacher-student relationships?

I cover all the steps to building relationships with your students and how to avoid common classroom management mistakes in this post:

Want Effective Classroom Management Right Away? Avoid These Rookie Mistakes

Give it a read and let me know what you think!

Classroom Management Element #5: Autonomy and Choice

Chances are when you consider integrating autonomy and choice into your classroom management, you worry it might lead to chaos or undermine your authority.

This isn’t necessarily wrong but you really want to focus on empowering your students.

Why is it the better approach? Empowering students with autonomy and choice helps them feel respected, valued, and more engaged in their learning.

It encourages responsibility, enhances motivation, and supports personalized learning. When students are given a voice in their education, they are more likely to take an active interest in their learning journey, which means fewer disruptions and an overall more harmonious classroom.

When my friend, Aprill, a high school science teacher, first started to incorporate student choices in project topics and homework assignments, her administrative team was initially skeptical about whether students would stay on task.

However, by the end of the semester, not only had student engagement skyrocketed, but the quality of work and depth of understanding had also improved significantly. Students who previously showed little interest in science were now leading class discussions and suggesting future project ideas.

Here are a few ways you can incorporate more student voice and choice into your classroom management:

Offer choices within boundaries: Provide students with options in their assignments, projects, or even seating arrangements. Set clear boundaries to ensure the choices align with learning objectives. For example, let students choose between writing a report, creating a presentation, or producing a video on a topic being studied.
Student-led learning: Encourage students to take the lead in certain class segments, such as leading a discussion, teaching a mini-lesson based on their interests related to the curriculum, or choosing a book for a class reading session. This not only boosts engagement but also builds leadership skills.
Collaborative goal-setting: Involve students in setting their personal and class-wide goals. Having a say in their targets makes students more motivated to achieve them. Regularly review these goals together to reflect on progress.
Flexible learning paths: Recognize that students learn at different paces and have varied strengths. Where possible, offer different pathways to mastering content, such as through group work, independent research, or hands-on-activities, allowing students to choose the path that best suits their learning style.
Reflective feedback: Implement a system where students can give feedback on their learning experience, suggesting what works and what doesn’t. Use this feedback to adapt teaching methods and classroom activities to better meet their needs.

Classroom Management Element #6: Root Cause Analysis

Whew! You’re halfway through this guide on classroom management. How are you doing? Full speed ahead or flagging? Grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee to keep you going.

If you’ve been paying attention so far, you may be wondering, “How exactly do I know what is causing the challenges in my classroom environment?”

The answer? It may not be as obvious as you may think, which is why a deliberate approach is necessary. There’s actually a structured process to conduct root cause analysis that can significantly improve your classroom management.

In a nutshell, here’s what it looks like:

Step #1: Gather Behavioral Data. Start by observing and recording incidents of challenging behavior. Note the time, context, and any triggers you observe. This initial data collection is crucial for identifying patterns and potential root causes.
Step #2: Analyze the Antecedents and Consequences. Using the ABC method (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence), investigate what happens right before and after the challenging behavior. This analysis can help identify triggers and rewards that the student might be seeking, offering insights into their needs.
Step #3: Collaborate and Hypothesize. Engage with other educators, support staff, and possibly the student’s family to share observations and insights. Collaboratively hypothesize about the root causes of the behavior. Is it attention-seeking, avoidance, a lack of skills, or something else?

These steps are just the tip of it. I have this in-depth blog post on understanding challenging behavior.

Here’s an exercise to help you get the ball rolling on identifying underlying causes of challenging behaviors.

Select a Recurring Behavior: Choose one challenging behavior that occurs regularly in your classroom.
Create a Behavior Journal: For one week, document every instance of this behavior, noting the antecedent (what happened right before), the behavior itself, and the consequence (what happened right after).
Review for Patterns: At the end of the week, review your notes for any patterns. Do certain times of day, activities, or interactions precede the behavior? What consequences might be reinforcing it?

Walking through this exercise will give you a clearer picture of the dynamics at play and help you develop targeted strategies to address the underlying causes. Remember, understanding is the first step to transformation.

Classroom Management Element #7: Behavior Interventions

Have you considered the breadth of behavior interventions in your toolkit before? Don’t worry, there is no shaming here if you haven’t.

While positive reinforcement and clear rules are usually well-known in classroom management, the broader range of behavior interventions isn’t discussed as often.

As teachers managing diverse classrooms and varied student needs, we need a comprehensive array of strategies to address not just the symptoms of challenging behavior, but the root causes as well (see the previous element!).

Behavior interventions are strategies designed to preemptively address, modify, and improve student behavior, ensuring a positive learning environment for all.

I am no gatekeeper over here at Empowered Educators! I love sharing all the ins and outs of teaching, and behavior interventions are a more intensive element that many overlook and then don’t quite hit the mark with classroom management as a result.

These interventions are tailored approaches aiming to recognize and reward positive behavior and decrease less desired behaviors.

In other words, we’re aiming to provide students with alternate ways to express their needs or feelings without disrupting the learning process.

For example:

Consider a situation where a student consistently interrupts the class. Traditional discipline might now address the underlying needs for attention or engagement.

A behavior intervention could involve assigning the student a classroom responsibility that channels their need for engagement in a positive manner, reducing interruptions.

Here’s a few ideas for how you can use behavior interventions in your classroom:

Positive Behavior Support (PBS): Implement a school-wide or classroom specific PBS system that recognizes and rewards positive behaviors, encouraging students to repeat those behaviors.
Restorative practices: Focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships rather than punishing students. Use restorative circles to discuss issues and find mutually beneficial solutions.
Progressive proximity: Strategically use physical space and non-verbal cues to influence student behavior and refocus attention positively.
Individualized behavior plans: For students who frequently exhibit challenging behaviors, develop individualized behavior plans that set clear expectations, strategies, and rewards tailored to their specific needs.

Not ready to ace a pop quiz on behavior interventions yet? Not to worry, there’s more info all about it over here: 5 Effective Classroom Management Techniques to Deal with Disruptive Behavior this Week

Classroom Management Element #8: Clear Rules and Expectations

This is where you take everything you’ve learned so far about your classroom management style, consistency, and relationships to create the perfect “recipe” for a structured and positive learning environment.

Fact is, you can’t create a harmonious classroom without having these foundations in place. Sorry, no shortcuts!

I remember working with an elementary teacher who was transitioning from a more permissive style to a more structured classroom management approach. Initially, she feared that strict rules would stifle her students’ creativity and dampen her relationships with them.

However, after establishing clear and consistent expectations, not only did classroom disruptions decrease, but students were engaged more creatively within the boundaries.

This transformation underscored the importance of clarity and consistency in creating a creative learning environment. It also built even more trust because the students knew what to expect and were held accountable to the group rules.

To help you get started, here are some examples of rules and expectations the teacher implemented in her classroom:

Be Respectful

This encompasses speaking kindly, listening when others are talking, and being considerate of others’ feelings and belongings. My colleague implemented this by modeling respectful behavior and acknowledging it in students, creating a culture of mutual respect.

Be Prepared

Arrive on time with necessary materials. The teacher made this rule clear by providing a list of daily required materials and incorporating readiness checks at the start of each lesson, which helped students develop responsibility and organizational skills.

Participate Actively

Encourage raising hands, contributing to discussions, and collaborating with peers. Elena used group work and interactive activities to foster engagement, assessing participation as part of the class grade to motivate involvement.

By adopting clear rules and expectations, you lay the groundwork for a classroom that runs smoothly, where students know what’s expected of them and can focus on learning.If you’re ready to create your rules and expectations, make sure you read the post below.

Classroom Management Element #9: Positive Reinforcement

Shout out to everyone who’s still reading at this point. We’re just about there!

Positive reinforcement involves acknowledging and rewarding positive behavior to encourage its recurrence. It can take many forms, from verbal praise to tangible rewards, and is based on the principle that behaviors followed by positive outcomes are more likely to be repeated.

Why is it important to classroom management?

Positive reinforcement not only promotes a positive learning environment but also strengthens the teacher-student relationship.

It shifts the focus from what students are doing wrong to what they’re doing right, encouraging more of those desired behaviors. This approach is crucial for effective classroom management because it motivates students, reduces the need for disciplinary actions, and fosters an atmosphere conducive to learning.

When you’re implementing positive reinforcement, here are some things you need to consider:

Recognize effort and improvement, not just perfection.
This is important because it acknowledges that all students are on different learning paths and that improvement and effort are as valuable as achieving high grades. Use specific praise that focuses on the effort or the strategies students used, showing them you notice their progress. This can be incredibly motivating and inclusive, ensuring that every student feels valued and encouraged to keep trying.
Be consistent with reinforcement.
Consistency in how and when you provide positive reinforcement ensures fairness and helps students understand the link between their behavior and the positive feedback. It prevents confusion about what behaviors are being encouraged. Plan regular opportunities for reinforcement, and make sure the criteria for receiving it are clear and achievable. This might involve setting up a system where positive behaviors are tracked and recognized in a way that is transparent to all students.
Personalize the reinforcement.

Understand what motivates your students individually and tailor your reinforcement accordingly. Some students might be motivated by verbal praise, others by tangible rewards, and some by privileges or responsibilities. Personalizing reinforcement makes it more effective and demonstrates that you know and care about your students as individuals.

For me, realizing that not all students respond to the same types of positive reinforcement was a game-changer.

At first, I struggled with finding the right balance—what worked for one student didn’t necessarily work for another.

Through trial and error, I learned to observe and listen to my students more closely, which helped me tailor my approach to meet their individual needs. This not only made my reinforcement strategies more effective but also helped me build stronger connections with my students. It was a challenging process, but seeing the positive changes in my classroom made it all worthwhile.

Here’s what positive reinforcement can look like:

Classroom Management Element #10: Continuous Improvement

Ding, ding, ding, here we are at continuous improvement.

This is my favorite concept. I know I say that in every post, but this time it’s because it embodies the essence of growth and evolution in the classroom.

Just like a gardener who constantly tends to their garden, pruning the dead leaves and nurturing the growing plants, educators can cultivate a thriving learning environment through ongoing reflection and adaptation.

Gone are the days of sticking to the status quo, baby!

Do you remember when we talked about your classroom management style?

You might have read that and shaken your head, but now I hope you can see how establishing a solid foundation of how you do classroom management is just the start.

Continuous improvement means building on the foundation of all the elements we’ve discussed in this guide, regularly assessing what works and what needs to change, and being willing to make those changes.

This not only helps your classroom management strategy, but it ensures your strategy remains relevant and effective, reflecting the dynamic nature of teaching and learning.

Try these continuous improvement actions:

Regular reflection: Take time to reflect on your classroom management strategies. What’s working well? What isn’t? This self-reflection is crucial for identifying areas for growth.
Feedback loops: Encourage feedback from students, colleagues, and administrators. Their perspectives can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your classroom management.
Professional development: Stay committed to learning. Attend workshops, read the latest research, and collaborate with peers. Continuous learning helps you integrate new strategies and ideas into your practice.
Adaptability: Be prepared to adapt your strategies based on feedback and reflection. What works one semester may not work the next. Flexibility is key to continuous improvement.
Celebrate successes: Recognize and celebrate the improvements you make, no matter how small. This positivity will fuel your motivation to continue evolving as an educator.

Key Takeaways

I hope this gigantic post about classroom management has made the puzzle pieces of consistency, root cause analysis, and behavior interventions come together in your mind.

I have all the faith that you will create your ideal classroom using these elements.

If you have any questions, reach out here or on Instagram or Facebook. There are no wrong questions, and I am always happy to hear from you!

Check out 10 Ways to Stop Challenging Behavior Before It Starts.

A final tip for you for reading through to the very end:

All of your hard work in this area will pay off. Do not give up. You’ve got this! I am so excited for you.

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