The Rules to Rule Classroom Management – Virtually I’mPossible Presents: Lazy Learning Land Teacher Podcast
One of the biggest complaints I get from my administration is that I don’t circulate my classroom very much. That I do most of my behavior monitoring from my desk. Since I am the Queen of working and not working at the same time, I rarely miss a beat.
What they do not have the ability to complain about is the fact that I still run a tight ship. Also, that I write less than 5 discipline referrals the entire school year, and that I end up having some of the highest learning gains and pass rates on state and district assessments.
I earned the ability to rule my classroom, from what I like to call, my “Throne.” Once I created the right combination of classroom rules, it has been smooth sailing from there. They have allowed me to maintain my sanity during my 15+ years of teaching in inner city/ hood schools.
In a previous post I talked about Don’t be a Fool, Post Your Classroom Rules. If you have not read that already, it is a game changer. The types of rules we are going to discuss today must be posted in order for this method to be most effective. Basically, this is a two step process. First create the rules, second, post them.
What are the Rules to Rule Classroom Management?
We are going to discuss generic rules that should be part of your classroom management plan. It is up to you to make the rule fit your personality, and fit what you want your student outcomes to be.
The tardy policy
What does being on time to your class look like? Will you require them to be inside your room before the tardy bell starts ringing? Must they make it inside before it stops ringing?
I work with high school students. My classes are conditioned to know they must have 2 feet inside the classroom BEFORE the tardy bell starts to ring. I am known for being millimeters from rearranging some ankles, arms, and noses. I literally shut the door in their faces at the first sound.
That is the rule for my class. Simply because our school gives a 1 minute warning bell. Students should never be surprised when they are late. Other teachers give until the tardy bell finishes ringing, and then that is considered tardy. Your class, your rule.
PRO TIP! Give physical demonstrations of what is and is not being on time. Get students involved, having them help you act out the scenario.
Food, Drinks, Gum Policy
Rule classroom management by knowing if your students are allowed to eat, drink, and chew gum in your classroom? Are you okay with some of these and not others? Are you willing to make exceptions for certain class periods, because of where they fall during the school day?
In terms of food, I do not allow it. I make it known that our school has ants and roaches. If we are eating in the classroom, leaving crumbs and wrappers, that is an invitation for those critters to set up camp.
There are some teachers that do not mind it at all. I have heard rules such as no sharing or trading of food. Another is if you are going to eat in class you have to give the teacher some. Others only allow their 1st period to eat because breakfast is essential. For those teachers who have 2nd lunch, they may allow the late lunch period students to snack as well.
Although I am not the biggest fan of gum, if it is already in their mouth prior to class I let it slide. I do not allow the eating of candy in class. I treat candy similar to how I treat food. If I start to see gum on the floor, chairs, or desks, then gum becomes a no-go completely.
As a track and cross country coach, I understand the importance of staying hydrated. Personally I consume 70oz during my work day. To be fair I do allow my students to drink water in class. However, it must be clear non-fizzing water. Water should be in a clear container so I can determine if it is okay, if not they must pass a pour test. Otherwise, put it away and keep it away.
PRO TIP! I allow gum so that students feel like they are “getting away” with something.
What does being prepared and ready for class look like?
Once the tardy bell rings, and class is starting, what do you expect your classroom to look like? What are your students expected to have out? What are they expected to be doing?
I rule classroom management by requiring my students to have all materials out before the tardy bell rings. That includes something to write on and write with. Along with any other specified materials mentioned in their Bell Work instructions.
Once the tardy bell rings they should be seated. No longer should they be trying to sharpen or borrow pencils. By this point, students should have already taken out their notebooks, or borrowed paper from a neighbor.
If by chance the tardy bell has rang, and they are still missing materials. I rule classroom management by enforcing the use of universal sign language. They can use non-verbal gestures to ask for something to write on or write with.
PRO TIP! Make the consequence of irresponsibility awkward to help minimize the undesired behavior.
Rule Classroom Management: Permission to Speak or get out of their seat
How do you expect students to get your attention when they have a question, comment, or concern? What is the procedure when they want to get out of their seat to come to you, throw something away, or get something from a classmate?
As for me and mine, they must raise a quiet hand, wait to be acknowledged, then they can speak, or ask for permission to get out of their seat. When I say a quiet hand, I do mean a quiet hand. I am gifted with looking a student in the eye while they are talking to me and ignoring them.
Why am I so petty, and ignore them? Simply put, they did not raise a quiet hand and wait to be acknowledged. I even ignore the kids who throw their hand up and then blurt out. If one of their classmates does not redirect them, I simply point to it and say, Rule #4. If they get out of their seat without permission, I ask them to sit down, and try again.
Why So Tough?
I am a stickler about students being up and roaming around my classroom. As stated, I have taught all 15+ years in the rough parts of town. There has been an instance where one of my students walked across the room and punched another student in the face. Neighborhood beef, nothing that actually bubbled up inside of my room. Hence why I am such a stickler about it in my latter days.
Rule classroom management by being as stern or as flexible as you want with this one. It truly depends on what you can and cannot tolerate. Due to my A.D.D. it does not serve me well to have students blurting out at me. It truly throws off my train of thought. By having this rule in place, I give myself permission to block out those that are out of compliance. This way my attention does not get unnecessarily diverted.
PRO TIP! Stay the course with this one. Do not make exceptions. Or your students will constantly test the boundaries of it.
Restroom Policy
Will you give unlimited passes? Limit passes? If so, how many? When do they start over? What is the procedure for alerting you they need to use the restroom? What will you use as a pass to allow them out of the classroom? Will you require them to sign out before they leave?
Alright, now I know I am going to get some dirty looks and not so nice comments left on the bottom of this one. I only allow two 4 minute restroom passes each quarter. No roll-over passes, and no borrowing or lending passes. Some teachers give 3 and others do unlimited.
If you truly want to rule classroom management, I have a must read post dedicated to the importance of placing a limit on restroom passes. I Gotta Pee, In Your Class Daily. Also, students who ask to get water are also using a restroom pass. The logic behind this is, I allow them to bring their own water to class. Our water fountains are right by the restroom. This cuts down on students using “water” as a free get out of class card.
When limiting passes, create a system for keeping record of who went and when. In my class, I keep a spreadsheet each quarter. On it I write the date next to their name, when they use a restroom pass. This way they cannot lie and say, “I’ve never used the restroom in your class.”
Which tends to be the go-to for students who know good and well they have used both of their passes already. Being able to read back the dates to them is priceless. Ends the discussion right there..
What if it’s an emergency?
Well was it an emergency when you spent your 5 minutes between classes talking to your friends, or walking bae to class? I do not give permission for students to go if they have used their passes. If it is a real emergency they usually get up and walk out.
To rule classroom management, learn to save face with the rest of your students. When that child returns from the restroom, I send them to a neighboring teacher. Usually accompanied by a comment similar to, “At this point the situation will be handled between you and your administrative dean.” Do I actually write them up? No, I don’t. I just have to look like I didn’t let them get away with it.
However, I make it a point to pull them aside the next time they come to class. We discuss a better way to handle the situation. Including using their time between classes more wisely. I do let them know if they walk out like that again then the consequences will be very real.
**An exception is made for my young ladies who are on their monthly cycle. Use teacher discretion, you can tell when someone is using and abusing, and when it is genuine.**
PRO TIP! Put a policy in place where students cannot interrupt you regarding the restroom, while you are giving direct instruction, or addressing the entire class.
Rule Classroom Management: Cellphone & Personal Electronics Policy
What is the policy for students using their cellphones? Ear buds? SMART Watches? Tablets? Do you have them place all phones off their body? Is there a designated place in your room for all phones until the period is over? When violated is there a warning? Confiscation? Call home? Sent to the administrative office for disciplinary consequences?
The district I work in has a zero tolerance policy. At my school, we actually send students to the office to turn in their personal electronics if they are using them, or if they are out and visible. There they receive a ticket, and can go when the final bell rings to go home, and collect their item(s).
Usually if I cannot prove that it is in use but it is out in a compromising position, I won’t send them to the office. In cases where phones are in their lap, under jackets, in their seats, in their purse or backpack where it could be used etc. I ask them to put it in my desk drawer until the end of the period.
This helps me rule classroom management by avoiding power struggles and false accusations. I also take the time to explain how I am giving them a break. That the alternative is to take it to the office. Them knowing I will give it back once the bell rings usually eases their defenses.
I am a pro at reading body language. My students are often baffled at how I knew they were on their phones or SMART watches without me even leaving my “throne.” I do highly recommend circulating your room until you have sharpened your skills on this, and until your students trained enough in your expectations.
PRO TIP! Make students keep a clear work space. NO backpacks or purses on desk or in their laps or body. This minimizes the chance of using them as shields and covers.
Sleeping in Class Policy
Will you allow students to sleep and do nothing about it? How many times are you willing to wake them up without consequence? Will you have a designated area for nappers and non-workers? Are you going to allow them to go get a drink of water out the fountain? Go splash water on their face in the restroom? Get up and stretch? Take a few laps around the room?
Teaching high school students in the inner city, I get a gamut of reasons why students are sleeping. From getting off work late, staying up to babysit while their parent(s) are working, and sometimes just up playing video games. For this simple fact, I do not give a consequence. And this allows me to rule classroom management.
I will however, ask them twice to wake up. From there they are asked to stand by their desk for 2 minutes. I set a timer and they stand, while working on their assignment simultaneously. Timer goes off, and they sit down to continue working.
There is a designated section in the back of the room where students who are not feeling well, or who just can’t seem to stay up. They are able to go to this area and I will not disturb them.
PRO TIP! Do your best to separate the non-workers from the workers by using physical distance.
Dismissal Policy
When the bell rings, can students just get up and walk out? Do you want them to remain seated until you dismiss them? Are they lining up at the door? When should they start packing up their belongings for transition?
For my students, they are to remain seated until I dismiss them. So that I can rule classroom management, I inform them that the bell is an indicator that it is time to transition. However, I release them to transition. This prevents them from running out of the class screaming in the middle of my last minute announcement(s).
PRO TIP! Set a timer on your phone to go off 3 minutes before the bell is supposed to ring. This allows you to get to a stopping point and allows students to pack up.
Policy for Talking
What parts of the period are silent? Are they only allowed to discuss the assignment? Or can they talk about whatever they want as long as they are working? Do you have a noise ordinance they must comply with? How will you monitor and address the noise level when it gets too high?
The rule to rule classroom management in my room is to stay on task and talk on topic only. For me this is all encompassing. You should always be working on what I have assigned. If it is a collaborative assignment then they may only talk about the assignment itself. The first 5 minutes of every class period (bell work) is always silent.
Some teachers do not mind students talking about what they want as long as they are being productive with their work. I teach math so usually off topic conversations and productive problem solving are not happening simultaneously.
PRO TIP! Play background music and instruct class to keep overall noise level below the music. When they are louder than they should be simply say, “You all are louder than my music.” And viola, they know exactly how to adjust.
Policy on Respect
What are your expectations for peer to peer respect? Student to adult (you, administrators, substitutes) respect? What are the expectations for students respecting themselves?
In my realm, I always tell my students that I lead with respect. Since I give respect first, I expect it back in return. If you are going to act a fool, do it in front of my face so I can deal with it. Do not wait until I have visitors or a substitute to act like you don’t have sense. At that point I know it is a case of making poor choices, and I will handle it accordingly.
Rule classroom management, by not allowing bullying, name calling, or teasing. I also make sure not to tolerate put-down talk. Saying things like stupid, dumb, retarded, slow etc. I let them know if they want someone to bully then come try me…and good luck with that.
PRO TIP! Become the big bad wolf in your classroom so there is no room for bullies.
Rule Classroom Management: Growth Mindset Policy
What is your policy on attempting the work you assign? Your policy on negative self talk or negative talk in general? The policy when your students are are hit with obstacles?
My rules on this are as follows. Attempt All Problems Assigned. I teach math and this covers everything from bell work, to classwork, to homework, to quizzes, and tests. I cannot teach them without knowing what is going on in their brain. Making participation mandatory no matter how good, bad, or ugly their attempt may be.
Next I tell them to Make a Way, Not an Excuse. You can can find a million reasons why not to do something. Find some reasons, why you should. Life is going to keep life-ing, so find a way to work with the cards you are given, and “Get-er done pal!”
If you do not have a policy on participation and effort. You will waste a large amount of valuable time trying to reel students in. When participating no matter if you know the material or not is a policy from day one, it is much harder for students to rebel and dispute.
PRO TIP! Find a way to incorporate participation, effort, and attitude into your grades.
Conclusion
I have other policies and procedures that I do not have mentioned here. The ones I did share are my Golden Rules. If you do not have any other rules for your class, please be sure to have one for each of the topics mentioned.
When you can put your expectations out there from day one, it makes the world of a difference. Doing so allows you to rule classroom management. Students can tell if you are prepared for their BS, or if you are winging it. Simply making it up as you go. Once they sense you are being reactive instead of proactive, be ready for the challenges of your lifetime.
How strict or how lenient you are with each policy is completely up to you. Do keep this in mind:
PRO TIP! It is easier to start off more strict and then loosen the grip, than it is to start loose, and then try to tighten up.
