There are a variety of ways in which an educator employs classroom management strategies, strategies necessary in maintaining a positive and respectful learning environment. As an educator, it is not only a good idea, but vital to understand the dynamics of your students and how to adjust and control the atmosphere of the classroom. Here are some brief explanations and definitions of five major classroom management strategies that may be helpful to you in managing your classroom.

Proximity Control is the arrangement of the classroom that allows an educator to easily approach any desk in the room. Students can be monitored by simply walking around the desks and work can be proctored quickly by glancing over student shoulders. When a student is off-task, it is a simple movement around their area that will cause them to feel the pressure to immediately fix the “problem” instead of abusing the freedom of a desk or chair in the back of the room.

Positive Reinforcement is the use of positive motivation in the classroom. By not only recognizing, but rewarding positive behavior, an educator will motivate students to pursue desirable behaviors. This is also an excellent way to encourage a positive environment for students to learn as well as enabling students to build confidence in themselves… and their work.

Assertive Discipline is a simple way in which an educator is clear in his/her behavior expectations in the classroom. Students are informed of rules and expectations as well as the consequences of negative behaviors. This is handled before the beginning of class, giving the students a clear direction and also the incentive to follow guidelines.

Grandma’s Rule is a form of compromise. Should students complete their work on time, follow classroom expectations, and maintain a positive attitude, they are rewarded for their behavior with a special activity and/or more free time.

Student Rules is a form of classroom management that allows the most interaction between educators and students. Collaboratively, educators and students create a list of “rules” and expectations for their classroom. At the beginning of the year, students are actively in charge of creating rules that they agree to follow for the remainder of their time in the classroom. They also agree upon consequences. By allowing students to work collectively, educators help students create healthy and realistic guidelines.

Each educator will have their own sense of classroom management according to their own personality and work ethic, but by educating yourself on classroom management strategies will not only help you educate your students effectively, it will also help you become a more well-rounded educator as well as individual. Good luck!