Classroom management is a key aspect of teaching that can make or break your experience in the classroom. Over the years, I’ve learned to tune out the noise of what I should or shouldn't do, and through trial and error, I’ve figured out what works for me.
Here’s the thing - there is no one size fits all, and what works wonders for one teacher is a dud for the next. Just like each student – and even each class – has its own unique personality, strengths and weaknesses, so does each teacher. I believe that classroom management boils down to these 3 essential components: setting clear expectations, being consistent in carrying out these expectations (including the consequences), and building strong relationships. HOW these 3 components are carried out by each individual teacher is what will make or break your classroom environment. So, in this post, I want to address these fundamental components of classroom management and give my best tips for each area.
1. Set Clear Expectations AND Consequences
Yes, I have had "that" student and "that" class over the years, but those have been the exceptions rather than the norm. Overall, I have been pretty successful with classroom management, and it begins with setting forth clear expectations and addressing the consequences of not meeting them right from the start. I make it a point to think through every procedure and routine that regularly occurs in my classroom and address my expectations for them in the first days of school. Some of these include group work expectations, bathroom policy, homework policy, late work policy, etc. The way you address them is up to you. I’ve done Procedure Task Cards, Predict the Procedure, and a procedures presentation using memes.
2. Be Consistent & Follow Through
I know it’s tough, but you must say what you will do and do what you say you will. If you constantly threaten but never follow through, students—especially middle and high schoolers—will quickly take advantage. And following through applies to everything from minor classroom disruptions to more significant issues like cheating or missing assignments.
Warning: I'm going to digress here, because I want to share this with you.
Here’s the truth – and new teachers especially, I hope you can hear me - sometimes it doesn’t matter WHAT you do…it’s a struggle. You have that student or that one class where nothing seems to work no matter how consistent you are. So, I'd like to share a story...
Let me tell you about “John” (not his real name). It was the first year I had returned to the classroom after being a stay-at-home mom for over 10 years. At the time, our school separated English and Reading into two subjects, and I had John in both my English class during 4th period and in my Reading class at 7th period (the last period of the day). He would be “somewhat” manageable in 4th period, but by 7th period, nothing I did made a difference.
I spent the entire year trying everything: parent meetings, praise, trying to build a relationship, detentions, suspensions—you name it, I tried it. Despite my best efforts, every day was a battle, and I struggled constantly.
It’s so important to reach out to administration in these situations, and I did, but my administration failed me that year. To be honest, I barely made it through that year and almost didn’t come back the next.
Sadly, during his high school years, John got into some trouble with the law after having some involvement in a violent crime. Today, I’m not sure where he is. However, I’m grateful to say that John was the exception, not the rule, and the experience with John was a learning one for me. While many of the strategies I learned and tried with him didn’t work, they have worked with others.
I want to digress a bit more to share a bit of a controversial “discipline” strategy that came out of my experience with John. It has truly been gold for me in my classroom for the majority of my students. I created what I call a Corrective Assignment. It’s a simple form where students reflect on their behavior and copy a text I’ve written about the importance of following classroom rules. The instructions are straightforward—complete the assignment and return it the next day at the start of class. The form clearly outlines the consequences for not doing so. I don’t make a big deal about it, but once I hand it out, there’s no backing down—they must complete it.
Why is it controversial? Some believe that “copying lines” is outdated and ineffective. However, I have students BEG me to give them the “write up” because that’s easier. And you know what, I’m old school – that’s the point! I’m not trying to make it easier on you. You made the decision to disrupt my class or break my procedure. You took time away from my instruction, and more importantly, took instructional learning time from your classmates. Now, I’m going to take your personal time to complete this writing assignment. And it works – for me. It sounds harsh. It likely won’t work for many. Yes, I have to change my strategy from time to time depending on the student, but this has been effective for me for most of my students throughout the years.
And that's the key - trial and error with many strategies to find the ones that works for YOU. Whichever one(s) you choose, just remember to be consistent and follow through.
3. Building Relationships
Finally, building positive relationships with students is at the heart of all classroom management strategies. When students feel respected and valued, they are more likely to respect you and follow the rules. Building relationships is especially hard with some difficult students, like John. I worked especially hard to reach him by looking for opportunities to praise him, even when progress seemed minimal. I focused on his wins, recognizing his efforts no matter how small. I learned about things that mattered to him, and asked him about them. For many students, building connections like this works wonders.
Here are a few more tips to build those relationships with your students:
1. Get to know your students on a personal level. Learn their names quickly, show interest in their lives, and be approachable.
2. Greet Students at the Door and Check-In Daily: These check-ins don’t need to be formal—they can be as simple as a smile, a quick “How’s your day going?” or a comment on something positive you noticed about them. Small, consistent interactions show you care and help build rapport.
3. Listen Actively: When students talk to you, give them your full attention. Active listening shows that you value what they have to say, which strengthens your connection.
4. Be Consistent and Fair: Treat all students with fairness and consistency. When they see that you uphold the same standards for everyone, it builds trust.
5. Celebrate Their Successes: Recognize and celebrate students’ achievements, both big and small. Whether it’s academic progress or personal growth, acknowledging their efforts builds positivity and encouragement.
Ultimately, classroom management is about finding what resonates with you and your students, then refining it over time. Keep experimenting, stay flexible, and remember that what works today might need tweaking tomorrow. Your commitment to creating a positive, respectful environment will set the tone for everything else that happens in your classroom. I hope you have the BEST school year yet!
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