FIVE Tips to Maintain Classroom Sanity

The number one difficulty that teachers talk about is behavior in the classroom and the ability to teach when things get chaotic.  It is no surprise that classroom sizes that get larger come with more difficult behaviors and students diagnosed with a variety of disabilities.  One teacher in the classroom has to plan, execute and evaluate every lesson and interaction, as well as monitor and redirect inappropriate behaviors.

 I would like to offer 5 tips that may be helpful when working with difficult classrooms:

1.  Environment:  Look at the environment that you as a teacher have set up.  Even though you cannot move walls you can definitely look at moving furniture and cleaning up clutter.  You can cover bright lights if they cannot be dimmed.  Cover up material that doesn't need to be seen.  So bookshelves, puzzles, games etc... need to be covered so the students are not distracted by the objects.  Cluttered disorganized classroom results in cluttered thinking which may, in turn, escalate behavior.

2.  Routines and Procedures:  How do the students enter the classroom?  How do they exit?  Where do they get their workbooks and do they get the choice of the work they do?  Setting up boundaries and expectations early is important to create a safe, secure environment for everyone.  Give students expectations of behavior in terms of what they "need to do".

3.  Instruction Giving:   Clear concise instructions will go a long way in helping children to make good healthy decisions.  Don't overwhelm students with too much talking.  Get to the point quickly with short instruction.  If possible use visuals to help students understand exactly what is required of them in the classroom and school.

4.  Organization and Preparation:   The more organized you are the less stressed you will be when executing your lesson.  What are your plans when someone interrupts you?  What happens if the lesson falls flat?  Do you have a plan B?

5.  Student's Needs:   Are you attempting to cover all the needs in your classroom when preparing your lessons.  The 5 needs that you might take into consideration are:
a.  Survival
b.  Fun
c.  Love and Belonging
d.  Freedom
e.  Power
Try to provide activities that focus on one or more of these needs and if possible make sure to include activities throughout the day that hit all the needs so none are left out.

Classroom Sanity is also reliant on your reaction to events that are happening in the classroom.  Taking note of your emotional state through the day is so important.  If you are having a tough day don't be afraid to ask for some help as this is a tough job.  It is then your responsibility to find new ways to handle the things that may be happening in the classroom.

 Is this EASY?? NO Way.  Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness!!  For more ideas SUBSCRIBE to our Free Resources!