Escalation of Classroom Management

Classroom management has been a tough obstacle to tackle, but I'm finally coming to grips with it.  One thing that has helped is to develop a plan for escalating classroom management strategies, both on an individual and classroom level.  I've developed a easy-to-reference plan that I use when teaching to remind myself to follow through with escalation of disciplin in order to manage my classroom:

Individual Level

• Pause
• Pause and Stare
• Refer to "LISTEN" (clarifying expectations)
• Diable (Sign Daily Behavior Log)

Class Level
Each time I have to use one of these strategies, I write a letter on the board.  If the word "QUIET" is completed in one class period, it signals that we are going to move to a different activity.

• Q. Pause
• U. Rejoinder
• I. Refer to "LISTEN" (clarifying expectations)
• E. Option of less desirable activity
• T. Change activities

Helpful Phrases:·      I’ll wait until you’re done
·      Seriously, we need to… (LISTEN)
·      What does (LISTEN) mean?
·      Come on…
·      Really?
·      I know you can do better than that.
·      Just because I like you doesn’t mean you can get away with talking over.
·      It’s your choice: we can either do it this way (which I think is better), or we can…
·      I’d appreciate it if…
·      Why are we doing this? (establish relevancy or purpose)

Helpful Actions:·      Discipline with a smile
·      Move around
·      Stop and wait
·      Keep students in sight
·      Proximity, pause, look, gesture, use name
·      Switch mode/activity
·      Promote appropriate behavior
·      Stay positive
·      Invite to participate (superstars, stand up, etc.)
·      Don’t speak over (normal voice)
·      Speak quietly
·      Use “fun” reminders (whip, ball, bell)
·      Class – write a letter of “QUIET” on the board – completion = quiz/translation