Managing Success in Your Classroom with Effective Strategies

I'm really happy to be guest blogging for Jennifer today. I'm Arlene from the guest blog "She Who Writes Her Own Story" from several months ago and I blog over at LMN Tree.  It's hard to believe that it's that time already as some of you have already been getting your rooms put together and having PD trainings like Jennifer. After 33 years of teaching I've been through a ton of PD trainings. I know that there are many we would like to forget and wish we just had the day to work in our rooms. I'd like to share a very good one I had while working in a Title I School filled with many disruptive students.

Teachers know that class management during the first few weeks of school is critical and sets the tone for the rest of the school year. There is so much wasted teaching time when teachers have to deal with disruptive students and discipline problems throughout the year. I was fortunate to have Geoffrey Colvin give an in-service at my Title I school one year and give us some wonderful step-by-step information  from his book about helping teachers prevent problems through carefully planning and organizing their classrooms; teaching students routines and what you expect of them in the classroom. It was great to see the 5th and 6th grade teachers practicing walking in the halls without talking and learning to behave appropriately for the first 2 weeks of school. They practiced and practiced until they got it right and you know what? it worked!!!! It made a huge difference in student behavior that year especially in the upper grades. My principal always reinforced the importance of getting your class management under control during the first 2 weeks of school and he was right. It will truly pay off for the rest of the year as you settle into a routine of teaching and student learning.
As you know I love to write Chants and poems so I have 2 fun Raps about Behavior and Respect at school to use with your students while managing your classroom and students for success.Just click on the picture below to download your free copy. You may also want to check out my 2 Back to School packets which will be on sale August 12 and 13th. (Don't Forget to use the promo code BTS12)  Hopping into School (K-1 ) and Sliding Into School (2-4)
 I wish each and every one of you a great start to the school year.
Thanks for all you do to make a difference for your students.

What is one management strategy you use?