Teaching Tips on How to Survive the Last Few Weeks of School
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Today’s blog post is all about sharing some teaching tips on how to survive the last few weeks of school. But, it’s also about classroom management tips for the entire school year. Keep reading to get the tips and the FREE GAMES and POSTERS.
A lot depends on your principal, the other teachers and the expectations of parents and the community where you are teaching.
Setting up a good classroom management system will help you keep students engaged and learning.
But, how do you set up a classroom management system and have engaging materials?
Ultimately it’s up to you to make decisions in your classroom how to fulfill those expectations.
It does take time, but there are some foundational skills that you can develop that will give you the framework to success.
Overtime, I came to understand that there are several contributing factors that create a “gap” in a teacher’s abilities in classroom management.
WHY YOU MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
One is that developing classroom management skills isn’t necessarily one of the top priorities of Music Education programs, or education programs in general.
Two, classroom management skills come naturally to some people.
Three; life experience, personality and desire all contribute to “successful” classroom management.
There are a multitude of situations that might make it seem difficult for teachers to have or implement classroom management skills:
Maybe you’re a first year teacher trying to keep her head above water with lesson plans and curriculum?
Maybe you’re burned out?
Maybe you’re teaching students who live in a different socio-economic or even culturally different environment than your personal experience?
Maybe you have students this year who present challenges like you’ve never had before.
Maybe you just don’t know what to do?
Maybe your teaching situation has changed dramatically–you’re teaching on a stage, a hallway, or more students than ever?
Maybe you are unprepared for the task of creating a good classroom management plan?
DON’T WORRY! You are NOT alone!
WHY MANY GREAT TEACHERS STRUGGLE WITH CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
There are a lot of reasons that classroom management training techniques and skills may fall through the cracks, or not be successful.
I think that there are 2 main factors that influence the success of classroom management.
1- We don’t CONTROL the kids- like NEVER!
2- Every teacher relates differently to their students!
BEGIN WITH YOURSELF
Most of all, I think teachers need to be true to themselves and be comfortable with whatever plan they implement.
BEING VULNERABLE will allow your students to see the real you, and be real with you!
BE WILLING TO CHANGE-I have grown so much as a person due to my desire to be a better teacher. I am more patient, more empathetic, a better listener, a kinder person- Allow yourself the opportunity to change and grow as you teach.
GOOD CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT NEEDS A PLAN
As a music teacher, I am the only one who does my job at the school. So I’m not going to copy a classroom teacher’s management plan.
I also want to make the most of the music class time, so I’m going to maximize learning time through music based classroom management strategies.
I use songs, games, chants and movement to keep my classroom managed.
So here are the teaching tips that I think will help any teacher, any subject and any teacher.
BE FAIR
BE FIRM
BE COOL
BE CLEAR
BE KIND
BE FAIR-make rules that are specific and easy to understand. “Be Quiet” is nice, but does it mean all the time? “Line up Quietly” works better.
BE FIRM-Not rigid, but stick to your consequences and apply them to all. Yes, even that cute 3rd grade girl who always does everything right. If students blurt out and shout and the consequence is to write about it-then make them do it.
BE COOL- Keep calm, be true to your best self. When a 6th grader says, “and who gives you the authority to tell me what to do?” and begins to leave the classroom–don’t holler, panic–get the rest of the class sitting down quietly and get to the phone for help. Confronting this student probably won’t solve the problem.
BE CLEAR-students need specific goals and directions. As adults we’ve conquered the skills we’re asking students to learn. Begin with 2 note composition before students right a whole song.
BE KIND-I think we can be kind when we stick to our consequences. We don’t need to be angry or bothered.
These are tough things to do daily–when we’re tired, or sick ourselves, but if we are consistent in our actions we gain the respect we need for good classroom management.
I think the best advice I can give is this; Be true to who you are, accept your limitations and embrace new ideas-take a risk and try something new.
You don’t need to subscribe! There is a FREEBIES page for all visitors to the Sing Play Create website.
If you’re looking for some resources to help you out with classroom management, you’ll want to check these out!
FREEBIE!
FREEBIE
The more I teach the more I believe that games and activities contribute to great classroom management. Here are a couple of products that I’ve made that work for any classroom:
Hi there! I’m Sandra, one of the authors behind Sing Play Create. My goal is to provide teachers with interactive resources and activities to improve the effectiveness of their teaching and enhance student learning.
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