The climate of a classroom can have a large impact on student learning. A safe and orderly classroom environment can optimize student achievement. But it is often difficult to strike a balance between allowing students the freedom to learn and maintaining a level of discipline that is non-disruptive.
Initially, classroom management focused only on how to organize the physical layout of the room and establish general rules of behavior for all students. Today, it refers to managing several complex and interdependent factors, such as presenting the curriculum in a way that engages all students; engendering responsibility and other citizenship characteristics in students; and maintaining discipline by addressing student feelings and behaviors such as anger, depression, conflict, and stress.
Teachers today are often expected to understand what factors drive individual student's behavior and then develop tailored solutions for each child rather than the class as a whole. Many of the emerging classroom management/discipline programs are based on the belief that when students' basic needs are met, misbehavior can be avoided. However, the focus on individual student needs also requires a lot more time and energy from the teacher.
Here are some resources, tips, and techniques to help achieve a successful learning environment, including classroom management techniques, discipline ideas, advice for working with special education students, suggestions for getting organized, and strategies for preventing behavior problems.
Links to SREB State and Related Resources
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