Junior Classroom Management

Posted by Debbie DeSpirt May 10, 2008

As a Substitute Teacher, I have a limited amount of time to gain control of the classroom. Students in the junior grades begin their strategies to get the substitue to slowly lose their mind. Fortunately, I remember many of the tricks from switching desks, changing names, inventing reasons to leave the classroom, and outrageous behaviour.

My first defense is to greet all students with a hello and ask some about their evening. After I have greeted most I enter the classroom and ask the first student to assist with the seating plan. The best way to gain control is to know everybody's name before the majority of students walk in. I have the first student to assist with the seating plan. It takes only a few minutes and aids the teacher for the rest of the day.

Next is to show the students with limited speech, that I am the teacher of the day and expect respect. Often respect is forgotten on the substitute teacher, and students believe it is a day of no rules. Be firm but kind with the students and review the rules before classroom. As well, you may wish to write the rules on chart paper and display at the beginning of each day.

Lastly, continually focus on the positive. Stop the class to identify great behaviour and try to ignore the negative behaviour. It is best to gain control in the first few minutes of class, otherwise you may have quite a chaotic day.