This blog consists of classroom management tactics that I have either experienced myself or that my professors and instructors have shared with me.

Transitional Sounds

2/7/2023

Transitional sounds are a great way to help students transition smoothly. Below are some examples of transitions.

Examples:

clean up
rotate centers
switch subjects
get ready for lunch/recess
get ready for specials

An example of a transitional sound is a classroom doorbell. During my time as a substitute teacher, I have had the opportunity to experience classroom doorbells, which are devices that plug into an outlet. The teacher can carry around the remote, and when it is time to transition, the teacher can casually click the button causing the doorbell to ring. This will notify the students that it is time to transition. Over time, the students will become accustomed to the sound of the doorbell and will be able to associate that sound with transition time. This is a great alternative for teachers to use instead of their voice.

The doorbells can easily be found on Amazon. I have included the link in the button below.

Classroom Doorbells

Music

1/27/2023

Music in the classroom can be great for many things. Here are some examples.

Use music as a reward:

for being well-behaved at specials
for being well-behaved all week
as an option by earning class points
listening to music through headphones during work time (as long as the teacher cannot hear it)

Use music as an SEL tool:

while resting their heads
while coloring

If playing music for the class, the teacher has control over what type of music is played. Playing something that does not have words or is not a song the students would recognize will prevent them from singing along and getting distracted. The teacher can also control the volume. If the music is too loud, it can distract the class and other classes. If the music is at the level where it is barely able to be heard, the students will eventually quiet down so that they can hear.

Magic Envelope

1/27/2023

Magic Envelope is a great tool to use when a teacher notices a student is getting overwhelmed, heated and is about to blow, needs a break, etc.

How to execute the Magic Envelope:

keep envelopes on hand
write a note on a slip of paper, and place it inside
ask the student if they could take this to Ms./Mr. (fill in the blank); this person could be in the office, another teacher, etc.

Here is an example:

Michaela was getting overwhelmed and needed to take a walk.

Thanks!

Miss Safford

The Magic Envelope is a subtle way to allow the students to take a walk and get the break they need, without embarrassing them in front of the class by telling them to step outside and take a break.

Characteristics of Students/Social Contract

1/22/2023

This simple activity can be a great way to start the new school year, but also a great way to hold students accountable throughout the year. Below is an example of what I did in my Intro to Teaching class during college.

One example of a way to execute this activity could be having students complete their sheet, and then the teacher collects those and creates a large sheet compiled of those ideas. Another would be skipping the individual sheet, and instead, allowing the students to volunteer ideas to the large sheet.

During my time substituting while in college, I noticed that the teachers in the school district have Social Contracts within their classrooms. These contracts are created by the students and consist of characteristics the students would like to see from their peers, and/or expectations they have for one another.

These contracts are a great way for the students to have some control over the type of atmosphere they would like for their classroom, and how they would like their year to go. Furthermore, this not only helps the students be accountable for their actions but can help their peers stay on track as well.

Teachers can utilize the contract when students and/or the class as a whole is failing to uphold the contract. This can be as simple as taking 10 seconds in the morning to have the class read off each characteristic/expectation as a way to get them in the right mindset for the day. However, if the class seems to be slipping up throughout the day, 10 seconds can be taken to review and get back on track.

Since this is a contract, signing is included in some form. I have seen contracts where students, the teacher, and any other adults (such as paras) that are in the classroom frequently, have written their names. I have also seen contracts where fingerprints were used as a form of signing with the use of an ink pad - and the teacher wrote the names of the students next to their fingerprints.

There have been times that I have signed my name on the contract as welcomed by the classroom teacher since I was a part of the classroom that day as a substitute. This signifies that I am aware of their Social Contract, and what the students are to uphold.

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