classroom control

1..Discipline problems are common for new teachers. Even after many years of teaching, all teachers have discipline challenges.
2..1) Look at yourself: Do you fully understand the material that you are teaching and have anticipated the problems that students may have? Are you presenting material that is too hard? Too easy? Are you connecting with your students? Do you have enough structure?
3..2) Are you allowing time to explain the new material? Or are you constantly going over homework for most of the period, barely having time to present the new lesson, assigning new homework at the last minute thus creating a cycle where students are truly frustrated?
4..Talk to your department head or someone you can trust. Have this person visit your class and give you ideas about seating arrangements, your lesson structure, your presentation, etc. Don't try to deal with everything alone. Get a support system you can trust.
5.. Never overlook calling home. Most parents or guardians are supportive. In most cases, I let the student know I plan to call home. If you suspect the child's parent or guardian may be uncooperative, or abusive, check with the counselor or with an administrator who may know the family
6..Never make promises or threats you won't or can't follow. It will only make everything worse in the classroom if you lose the respect of your students.
7..Discipline problems that involve one or two students are best solved by finding out as much as possible about each student. Some students respond best by being talked to outside of class.
8... Never lose it! You can raise your voice but never engage in shouting matches with your students. Never say: Shut up!. Never, never, try to physically remove a student. In fact, never touch a student. You can be liable for touching a student unless it is in self defense or you are trying to stop a fight
9..Giving an important job to an unruly student (not when they are being unruly, of course), such as asking them to be a teacher assistant
10..Having the student sign a behavior contract and having a conference with the student and the
principal to find ways to correct the problem
11..there are behaviors that cannot be tolerated in the classroom and call for immediate action. If you or any of your other students are physically threatened you must act immediately. Seek help immediately if you cannot handle the situation on your own.
12..Structure and fairness combined with clear expectations and a clear lesson in a caring non-threatening environment are the key elements of good teaching. Teaching is not easy. It does get better.