Essential Classroom Management Strategies for Inner City and New Teachers

Summary

In this video, Nena Rodriguez shares her insights on effective classroom management, particularly for new teachers or those in challenging environments. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining calmness in the classroom, setting clear routines and procedures, and being consistent with policies, such as phone management, to ensure student focus. By fostering trust and creating a structured environment, teachers can prevent chaos and foster a positive learning atmosphere. Rodriguez encourages educators to simplify rules and procedures to create a classroom that is conducive to both learning and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Staying calm as a teacher sets the tone for the entire classroom and helps create a peaceful environment, even during moments of chaos.
• 😀 Establishing clear classroom rules and procedures is essential to reducing chaos and ensuring a smooth flow of classroom activities.
• 😀 Teachers should aim for consistency and confidence when implementing classroom management strategies, particularly regarding phone use.
• 😀 The process of creating and maintaining routines should start early in the school year but can be implemented at any time to improve classroom structure.
• 😀 The classroom teacher should always be the one who sets the temperature of the room, regardless of student behavior.
• 😀 It’s important to be strategic when responding to disruptive behavior by staying calm, composed, and focused on the desired outcome.
• 😀 Setting clear expectations for phone usage—such as confiscation—can help reduce distractions and improve student focus.
• 😀 When students feel safe and trust that the teacher will follow through on rules (like returning their phones), they will be more likely to cooperate.
• 😀 A teacher’s calm, measured response to disruptive behavior encourages students to follow suit, preventing escalation.
• 😀 Classroom rules should be simplified and easy to understand, with no more than 3-5 key points to ensure clarity and consistency in enforcement.
• 😀 Trust is built when a teacher is consistent with rules, such as confiscating a phone when necessary, which leads to greater cooperation from students.

Q & A

What is the main theme of this video?

The main theme of the video is classroom management, with a focus on strategies for first-year teachers or teachers in inner-city classrooms, particularly during stressful times like the approach to winter break.

What important lesson does Nena Rodriguez learn from the documentary on juvenile detention centers?

Nena Rodriguez learns the value of maintaining calm and composure in the face of chaos. She highlights the superintendent's ability to stay calm despite challenging situations, which is crucial for classroom management.

How does a teacher’s calmness affect the classroom environment?

A teacher who shares their calm and peace in the classroom can transform it into a place of calm and peace, even when students may be high-energy or disruptive.

What does Nena mean by 'setting the temperature' in the classroom?

Nena refers to the teacher’s role in setting the tone and mood of the classroom. Teachers should not allow the behavior or mood of the students to determine how the class will proceed; instead, they should maintain control and a calm atmosphere.

Why is it important for teachers to respond to disruptive behavior with calmness?

Responding with calmness ensures that the teacher does not escalate the situation further. It helps maintain control of the classroom and fosters an environment where students can learn to manage their own behavior.

What does Nena say about the classroom culture and environment?

Nena emphasizes that the classroom culture is organic, meaning it evolves over time. Changes in the classroom are inevitable, and teachers must be patient as they implement strategies to manage behavior effectively.

What does Harry Wong’s quote about classroom discipline highlight?

Harry Wong's quote emphasizes that the number one problem in classrooms is not discipline itself, but rather the lack of established routines and procedures. Effective classroom management starts with clear expectations and structures.

How does Nena suggest teachers establish routines and procedures in the classroom?

Nena suggests that teachers should begin by instructing students step-by-step on the expectations and processes for classroom activities. This should be done at the beginning of each class period, and ideally, at the start of the school year.

What is Nena's approach to managing phone use in her classroom?

Nena uses a 'phone bucket' strategy where students place their phones in a designated bucket at the start of class. This helps eliminate distractions and encourages focus on the lesson. She believes this builds trust and accountability with the students.

How does Nena handle students who resist the phone policy?

If a student refuses to place their phone in the bucket or is caught using it during class, Nena takes the phone for the rest of the day. This firm, consistent approach helps teach the importance of following the classroom rules.