Classroom management and classroom organization are intertwined. High school students possess sophisticated social skills and generally feel that teachers need to earn their respect before they are fully willing to cooperate. In order to get reluctant students on their side, teachers need to present a clear classroom management plan that creates a positive learning environment and exhibits the following characteristics:
Consistency
Teachers should tell students what to expect and then deliver. This applies to all aspects of the high school classroom ranging from identifying test days to delivering instruction. Starting every English class, for example, by posing a question for discussion or written response, helps establish a routine that students can expect.
Clarity
Teachers must clearly explicate their learning objectives for the course as well their expectations for student behavior. Discuss these topics with students during the first week of class and provide specific examples of what students are expected to accomplish and how they are expected to behave. Practicing classroom rules is not solely reserved for elementary school. By illustrating through role play with students what is considered appropriate and inappropriate behavior, teachers leave no room for student interpretation on these important points.
Fairness
This relates to treating students equally, administering both praise and consequences based on behavior not on the student. It also applies to showing respect for your students by setting realistic expectations and offering guidance and support to help students achieve those goals.
Foresight
Map out your class in advance with your students. Spend the first few days of class discussing an overview of what you hope to accomplish as far as content, skill development, student behavior and class format. If a student does not abide by class expectations, they know in advance what repercussions they will face.
Share a Written Classroom Management Plan
In order to embody these characteristics, high school teachers need to master classroom organization. By presenting a detailed classroom management plan in writing, teachers set the tone for an organized high school classroom.
A classroom management plan includes the following written documents:
- Course Objectives: This document identifies the general topics your course will cover as well as skills your students will develop over the course of a semester or school year.
- Class Expectations: These expectations, or class rules, include coming to class prepared, turning in assignments on time and behaving in a way that fosters student learning. Be specific in your expectations and be clear about the repercussions students will face if they don’t adhere to these rules.
- Assignment Calendar: This calendar should identify topics you will cover for one quarter. Important days such as introductions to new units, tests, assignment due dates and exam reviews should be clearly marked. School holidays and teacher work days should be outlined as well.
- Student Information: This is a document you have students complete during the first week of school. In the event that you want to update parents on a major accomplishment or severe difficulty their child has encountered in your class, you will have the necessary contact information available to expedite parent communication.
Thadra Petkus - Thadra Petkus is currently a freelance writer, English teacher and mentor. Although she has taught students from age two through ...
