Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 6: Working with primary school classes
• Method 2 of 6: Working with lower secondary school
• Method 3 of 6: Maintaining order in the superstructure
• Method 4 of 6: Maintaining order in higher education
• Method 5 of 6: Dealing with conflict in the classroom
• Method 6 of 6: Dealing with angry students in the classroom
• Tips
• Warnings

Teachers learn good strategies for maintaining order in the classroom during their studies and at work. Good teachers adapt basic techniques to their own classes. These adjustments depend on the type of student, subject and experience. Finding the best methods of maintaining order can take a long time. However, good teachers are always looking for new, innovative ways to bond with their students in order to create a fun and safe learning environment.

To step

Method 1 of 6: Working with primary school classes

1. Determine which rules are most important. Ask yourself which rules ensure a fun learning climate and safety in your classroom. Come up with rules that reflect this goal. These rules will differ depending on the ages of the students and the subjects you teach. Here are some example rules:
   • Treat others with respect.
   • Take care of yourself.
   • Take good care of the classroom ownership.
   • Raise your hand if you want to say or ask something.
2. Don't choose more than five lines for your classroom. This will make it easier for the students to remember them. These rules apply in different circumstances, making it unnecessary to come up with different rules for each scenario.
3. Make sure the students know the rules. On the first day of school, take the time to review these rules. Explain every rule. Give examples of when the rules are or are not followed.
4. Describe the consequences. Tell students about the consequences of not following the rules. The consequences can be divided into different phases such as a warning, detention, arriving at school earlier, punishment work, going to the principal, and so on.
   • For younger students you can include a time-out or an interruption as a phase. Younger students who are disruptive may need to spend a few minutes outside the classroom to regain their attention. Then they can go back to class.
5. Make the rules visible. Put up a poster with the rules in the room. Phrase the rules in a positive way. For example, say, "Treat others with respect," instead of, "Don't push others."
6. Have the students indicate that they will follow the rules. Ask the students if they want to make an agreement with you. You can have them write down their promise, or you can just ask them to raise their hand. In this way you make the students promise that they will obey the rules.
   • Another way to get students involved with the rules is to ask for their input when making up rules for the class.
   • Take the time now and then to discuss the rules with the students.
7. Use non-verbal communication. Body language or other tactics can be very helpful when you want to get your students' attention. For example, you can turn off the lights when it is time to end an activity.
   • Pointing things out with your hands works especially well with preschoolers. By changing body language once in a while, you will prevent the students from getting tired of them.
8. Reward the students who show good behavior. Set a positive example of good behavior by letting students know that they have followed the rules. By showing students good behavior, they will know how to behave that way.
   • Make sure to reward different students. Don't always reward the same pair of students.
9. Involve parents as early as possible. If there are problems with keeping order in primary school, it can be useful to call in the parents of the child in question. Consider doing this before there is a serious problem. Early intervention can prevent a child from showing problematic behavior.
10. Teach students how to communicate with each other. Encourage positive interactions by teaching students how to deal with disagreements and miscommunication. Knowing how to deal with these kinds of interactions can help avoid potential problems with keeping order.
    • For example, discuss how students should ask each other for permission to take something from the other. The student should look the other person straight and wait for him or her to listen, after which a question can be politely asked.
    • Teach the students how to deal with disagreement. For example, have them look at each other calmly and say, "I understand how you feel." Then the student can calmly explain his opinion.

Method 2 of 6: Working with lower secondary school

1. Define expectations regarding behavior by applying the so-called CHAMPS model. The CHAMPS model is a way of defining how you expect students to behave in class. This approach is well applicable in different situations and with different learning objectives. Use the following points to guide you in shaping how students can complete a particular activity successfully and with good behavior:
   • C - Conversation: Can students talk during this activity? With whom? And about what?
   • H - Help: How should students indicate that they need help?
   • A - Activity: What is the purpose of this activity?
   • M - Movement: During this activity, are students allowed to get up from their place?
   • P - Participation: How will the students demonstrate that they are participating?
   • S - Success: If the students meet the expectations of the CHAMPS model, then they should successfully complete the activity with good behavior.
2. Keep routine and structure in the classroom. Students should know what to expect in class. Certainly lower secondary students appreciate knowing the expectations and limits. It is important to follow a certain routine. Keep your class relatively structured so that students know what's coming.
3. Alternate every now and then. Secondary students tend to be easily distracted. It's good to change your routine every now and then through spontaneous and unexpected activities. They value active learning experiences that come out of nowhere.
4. Build a relationship with your students. Your students are curious and curious about you and stories about your life. Of course you shouldn't share everything, but by telling stories about yourself every now and then, you will turn into a real person in the eyes of the students to whom they can relate. Conversely, you also need to get to know your students. If they feel that you are paying attention to their interests, they are more likely to respect you and behave well.
5. Have a positive attitude. See every day as a new chance for success in your classroom. Undergraduates can show very variable emotions at this age and by remaining patient and positive, you will enjoy your job much more.
6. Talk in a normal tone. If you speak in a normal tone, students will usually respond by speaking in a normal tone and at a moderate volume. If the classroom is noisy, don't respond by speaking louder. Instead, you should speak in a normal voice so that the students themselves have to lower their voice to hear you. You can also just wait until the students are quiet.
7. Re-assign the seating areas once a month. Assign new seating areas to your students every month. That way, everyone will end up sitting next to a new student, which can eliminate some behavioral problems. Designate new places by placing a name card on each table.
8. Keep your classroom neat and tidy. Having a well-organized classroom also helps students behave in a neater way. If the class is messy or poorly organized, students may be taking you less seriously.
9. Prepare engaging lessons. One of the easiest ways to keep order is to teach engaging lessons. If your lessons are unclear, disorganized or not engaging enough for the students, they lose their attention. Engage your students and keep them focused by delivering lessons that generate interest.
10. Walk through the classroom. Keep moving throughout the classroom when you teach and when students are engaged in group assignments or individual assignments. Students then notice that you are involved in their progress. Offer help and hints if students are having difficulties.

Method 3 of 6: Maintaining order in the superstructure

1. Treat students with respect. No matter how old students are, everyone deserves to be treated with respect. Your students will therefore be more likely to treat you respectfully.
2. Get to know the students. Show interest in your students by getting to know them. Make sure you know their names. Ask them questions to learn more about them.
   • However, keep in mind that you should not become close friends with your students. It is important to be somewhat aloof to maintain your authority in the classroom. Otherwise, students may come to you for special treatments or favors, especially when there are problems with maintaining order.
3. Involve the students. If your students are involved in the curriculum, they will take more responsibility in the behavior of the class. Prepare engaging lessons and incorporate fun activities to keep students engaged.
   • For example, take simple surveys in class to see what the students think of a particular problem.
4. Help students work on their socio-emotional skills. Even though these students are teenagers, it may still be necessary to work on their socio-emotional skills. Help students solve problems with friends and classmates.
   • For example, if a student misbehaves or anger another student, help them come up with their own way to come up with a meaningful solution.
5. Be fair and consistent. Treat each student equally. Even though you may have favorite students, don't show them yet. Treat everyone equally.
6. Have a positive attitude. See every day as a new chance for success in your classroom. Never assume the worst of your students.
7. Walk through the classroom. Keep moving throughout the classroom when you teach and when students are engaged in group assignments or individual assignments. Students then notice that you are involved in their progress. Offer help and hints if students are having difficulties.
8. Do not humiliate students. When talking to a student about keeping order and showing good behavior, don't do it in such a way that you humiliate the student. Take the student aside or talk to them outside the classroom. Do not use the moment to embarrass the student with his fellow students.

Method 4 of 6: Maintaining order in higher education

1. Put the rules in your syllabus. In higher education there are mainly adult students who do not need to be told how to behave. However, it is a good idea to clarify the rules that apply in your classroom.
   • For example, you can include discussion rules. Talking to each other respectfully and not attacking personally can be examples of this.
   • You can also consider including policies regarding fraud, the use of technology, submitting reports, and so on.
   • Get information from your institute about the correct wording of general policy with regard to higher education.
2. Talk about your rules on the first day of class. Make it immediately clear what your expectations are with regard to teaching. Give examples of how these rules are reflected in practice and how you will implement consequences.
3. Look and act professional. If you want to be taken seriously by your students, it is important that you look and act professional. Appearing too casual can make students question your authority.
   • Just because you have to adopt a professional attitude does not mean that you have to be completely inaccessible to your students. You can really tell something about yourself that makes you more human, so that the students understand you a bit more.
4. Get to know the names of your students. Lecture halls and classrooms are often filled with a ton of nameless students. As a result, the instructor and student are distant so that the students will not feel involved. If you can call the students by their names, you create a learning climate that arouses interest in them.
5. Explore the order problems before intervening. If a student disrupts class by repeatedly being late, ask yourself what could be the reasons for this. Take the student aside after class or speak to them during office hours. It may be the case that the student has a job that prevents him or her from being in class on time. In this case, you can make an exception or you can advise this student to take the class with another teacher at a time that is more convenient.
6. Keep paperwork related to order issues. If you are dealing with order issues, be sure to document every step taken. Contact administrative personnel or a supervisor for information on the appropriate procedures for handling order issues within your department.

Method 5 of 6: Dealing with conflict in the classroom

1. Apply the LEAST system. The LEAST system was developed to provide educators with a strategy for conflict resolution in the classroom. Start at the first step and move on to the next if necessary. Go through the steps one by one to deal with conflict in class.
   • L.: Leave it alone. If the disturbance in the classroom is not that much and it is unlikely to return, then let it go.
   • E: End the action indirectly. If a student disrupts class, let him or her know you are aware. Make a non-verbal gesture such as raising your eyebrows, waving your hand, or walking up to the student.
   • a: Attend more fully. Ask the student to comment on the problem. Ask what's going on and who is involved.
   • S.: Spell out directions. Remind the student of the rules and consequences. Be prepared to show the consequences if necessary after warning the student.
   • T.: Treat student progress. Make notes of the order problem. Write down what happened, who was involved, when it happened, and what your reaction was.
2. Stay calm. The best thing to do in a conflict is to stay calm. Do not express negative or angry emotions to the students. Instead, just keep calm. Talk in a normal tone.
   • Taking a few deep breaths can help you calm down.
3. Handle conflicts away from other students. Take the student out of the classroom to discuss the conflict. This will take the student away from the immediate physical situation. It will also take him away from his fellow students who may be contributing to the order problem.
   • Do not involve other students in the conflict.
4. Don't argue with students. Be the neutral party among the students. If a student starts to argue, don't fall for it. Instead, adopt a calm attitude.
   • If the student continues to argue, tell them you will discuss it after class. This will temporarily end the conflict.
5. Use the conflict as a learning opportunity. If an argument arises in class, talk about it in the next lesson. Ask students how they would have dealt with the argument. Ask them to think about how they can show understanding for dissent.
   • Especially when it comes to sensitive subjects, this can work well. If a discussion gets too fierce, ask the students to silently reflect on the problem for a moment. Then ask them why they think the discussion got so fierce.

Method 6 of 6: Dealing with angry students in the classroom

1. Get the other students to safety. If a student becomes aggressive, your first priority is to get the other students to safety.
   • If there is bullying in the classroom, learn strategies to combat bullying.
   • You may want to consider quitting the class earlier if the situation gets out of hand.
2. Be calm and neutral. Do not get involved with the student until he or she has calmed down. Be calm yourself and don't take sides.
3. Do not touch the student. It may be natural to put your hand on the student's shoulder for a moment, trying to calm him or her. When someone is angry, however, it is sometimes unclear how they will react to something like that. Keep your distance from the student.
4. Have a student get help. If the situation has gotten out of hand, ask another student for help. With the support of another teacher or authoritarian, it is probably easy to get the situation under control.
5. Document the incident. If there is a troublesome incident such as a violent or overly angry student, you should keep track of what happens. Write down what happened immediately after the incident. Includes details about what happened, where it happened, who was involved, and so on.
   • Give a copy of this note to your administration. Keep another copy in case parents want to see it.
6. Contact the student's parents. If it was a serious incident, you or the principal will likely need to contact the student's parents. Tell them about what actually happened. Not from your own opinion. Limit it to the facts.
7. Discuss the incident with your students. Use the conflict as a learning opportunity. This is also a good time to assure your students that they are safe in their classroom.

Tips

• Have knowledge of your school's guidelines. Make sure your class policies and rules are consistent with those of the school. This also applies to the consequences of breaking rules.
• If you find it difficult to maintain order in your class, ask the principal or colleagues for suggestions on a well-functioning approach.
• There are a number of online workshops on keeping class order. Ask the director or supervisor whether your school reimburses these types of workshops.

Warnings

• Know what to do in the event of a conflict or order issue that threatens to degenerate into violence.