Far too many teachers see classroom management as a burden that can only be controlled through a bribery-based incentive system. In fact, the use of rewards for good behavior - which is really just how they should behave - has become accepted practice. Not good, says Dr. Tracey Garrett who writes "Classroom Management: Not Just a Bag of Tricks." There is too much research out there on effective strategies for managing a classroom for experienced professionals to continually cede control of their domain for a few skittles or worse.
The concept of reward-based discipline has always bugged me - though it's not surprising that people resort to it. Certainly, a quick look around the community reveals that many adults parent this way as well. But it doesn't have to be this way. From early in my career, I knew the tools of classroom management, even as they were reinforced to my through a series of videos from Dr. Harry Wong. The basics are always the same. Effectively managed classrooms are, in fact, managed. Systems and procedures must be in place with a level of expectation that is clear. Basically, successful classroom management is grounded in:
- Organizing the physical environment
- Creating rules and routines
- Establishing caring relationships
- Planning and implementing engaging instruction
- Clearly addressing - not ignoring - discipline issues.
It is, uh, that simple.
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