Successful Classroom Management Strategies

Greetings. As a teacher we have to juggle so many hats throughout the day. I would like to share with you some of my classroom management strategies that worked. These strategies are useful at the elementary level in all classrooms.

Defining spaces in your classroom fosters independence in children and allows them to be successful. You can do this by taking a photo of each space or finding a picture in a magazine. You will then want to laminate the photo or picture. The spaces I am referring to are: reading area, work area, play area, circle area, free time area, and computer area. I have seen some teachers be even more explicit by having a photo on each bin for children to put materials into.

I know as a teacher that much confusion takes place when children line up at the door. In this next teaching strategy, I would like to discuss how you can make this transition run much smoother. In the past, I have used several methods. Some worked and others didn't. You can use a bright colored electrician's tape on the floor. Yes, you better check in with your janitor to make sure the tape you are using is correct. If you have 15 children in your classroom, you'll make 15 "X" shapes on the floor. I've found this method of using tape last much longer and is durable over time. Children now have a clear boundary of where they need to be when lining up at the door.

Ms. C

Nose Picking

Greetings. Today I would like to talk about a behavior that most children do and this is "nose picking." The intensity of this behavior will vary among children. I had one child in my classroom that would pick his nose so much that he had frequent nose bleeds.

As a parent or educator you can modify this behavior by simply providing an alternative. This alternative is asking your student or child to "please, go wash your hands" each time they start to pick their nose. It is not necessary to make a fuss over it or to draw attention to the child. The child will soon figure out that each time they start to pick their nose, there will be a verbal
prompt, "please, go wash your hands." You are modifying their behavior and you'll see within a few weeks that the behavior will decrease.

At the beginning you'll be giving a verbal prompt to the child. After a week or two, you can eliminate the verbal prompt and provide a non-verbal prompt which is the "action" of washing your hands. This means putting your hands together as if you're washing your hands. Having lots of Kleenex available is also helpful!

Ms. C