Citizen Schools :: Classroom Management

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Classroom Management

Classroom Management techniques allow an adult to organize students, space, time and materials so that instruction in content and student learning can take place.Your two most frequent management tasks will be to organize materials and students.

Materials

Prior to each apprenticeship, confirm that the materials you will need are available at the campus, or are in your possession. All copies and handouts should be made before coming to campus.

Classroom Culture

Before you start your apprenticeship, ask your Team Leader to describe some of the classroom management techniques that are a part of the campus culture. Each campus has developed behavior control techniques that all apprentices know.

For instance:

"Clap once if you can hear me" (Teacher and some students clap once)
"Clap twice if you can hear me" (Teacher and all students claps twice)

Or, in Texas, the "horns up" hand symbol is something that teachers and students raise when quiet and attention is wanted.

Classroom Roles and Responsibilities

One of the most important things you can do to manage your classroom is assign each apprentice with a specific team role. This gives apprentices a sense of ownership and an appreciation of how their actions and contributions help the team. Assign roles according to each person's strengths and behavior. Feel free to make up roles that are specific to a task, subject matter or assignment.

Role	What they do	Which student to assign it to	Why?
Agenda Master	Post the agenda; cross off an activity when it is finished; throw away the agenda	Someone who gets out of their chair frequently	Getting out of her/his seat to cross off the agenda will help to stop the urge to do this at inappropriate times.
Time Keeper	Makes sure the team is on time (using agenda as a guide)	Someone whose attention span is short and gets off task	By being in charge of time for the entire group, a student will internalize the need to be on time
Master of Supplies	Carries the team leaders' equipment; passes out supplies	Someone who needs a little extra attention and to feel special	Kids love this job – this person will feel special
Pass out/ Collection master	Pass out and collect papers	Someone who needs a little extra attention and to feel special	Kids love this job – this person will feel special
Ritual starter	In charge of the ritual (pass out supplies/props; set up; remind others of what to do)	Needs to experience positive reinforcement; needs to be settled down	This allows the child to have a 'quick win' and sets him/her off on the right track.
Clean up captains	Make sure the room is back in order	Kids who are done with their work early	Gives them something to do when they are done
Chart Keepers	They keep track of everyone's progress	Kids who are unmotivated	They will be motivated by others' progress

Download printable Classroom Management Tips

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