Top Ten Classroom Management Practices

Adapted from Academy of Art University - San Francisco

 

1. Develop cooperation and active learning skills. “Think – Pair – Share” Use individual, partner, small group, (up to 5 max) and whole class activities in every class. Plan pair and group work carefully. Use a variety of seating arrangements to maximize participation.

2. Clearly state your Learning Ojectives. State what students are going to learn and how they’ll learn it. Learning Objectives = Condition (what they will be able to do) + Performance/ Behavior (how they’ll do it) + Criteria / Standard (how well it must be done).

3. Recycle information continually. Introduce new information that builds upon previous lessons and bridge weekly lectures together. Provide rationale daily.

4. Call on all students by name in every class. Learn and use their names daily; facilitate communication between students. Encourage communication between teacher and student.

5. Teach to a variety of learning styles and intelligences. Respect and encourage learning diversity. (3 types of learning = visual + auditory + kinesthetic) Use a variety of questioning strategies during the lecture.

6. Make learning meaningful by relating it to the students’ lives. Convey your commitment for the content by instructing your students in a meaningful, passionate and memorable manner. Use authentic materials.

7. Provide frequent focused positive feedback. Focus your feedback on how much they can use, not on quantity; praise them when they have accomplished the goal.

8. Provide directions and homework assignments orally and in writing. Do comprehension checks to make sure all students understand. Use the overhead projector to focus everyone’s attention in one place at the same time.

9. Model expected behavior. Communicate high expectations and help students achieve goals by stepping it out for them. Show them the process. Develop professional skills and abilities in your students.

10. Allow classroom time for students to practice new skill. Provide fun “real world” immediate application of new skill. Encourage effective use of time and positive time management skills.