SOME TIPS ON HOW TEACHERS CAN EFFECTIVELY RUN THEIR CLASSES

Teaching is the most noble of all professions. The reason behind that sentence cannot be overemphasized. Teachers groom all other professions and vocations. However, based on students individual differences teachers have to be on their toes to stamp down their authority on all classroom activities in other to effectively carry out their duties.


Here are some classroom management tips to help teachers settle problems, or prevent them from occurring, so that they can spend more of the classroom hour on teaching and learning.


1.    Smile
When you smile, you are telling the class that kindness and politeness are expected. It also calms nervous energy and builds confidence in the students. This is of utmost importance because when your students like you and are comfortable around you, they’ll want to please you, listen to you and behave for you. That is the first step to succeeding as a teacher.


2.    Take Charge of Your Class
Stand out enough to be noticed before starting class. That implies the lesson won't commence until the entire class has your undivided attention.
It might help to start with a thought provoking sentence which can arrest the attention of the students. Open with couple eye-catching remarks and proceed until everybody is with you. Keep in mind, don't start teaching until everyone's eyes are on you and everybody is in their seat. 


3.    Keep a close eye on all your students

If you turn your back on some students, you may be totally amazed at what they would do...

 
A class is better managed when you keep close eyes on the students. Some students can be very elusive when they decided to involve in pranks. If you turn your back on your students you may be totally amazed at what they would do. Position yourself so that most, if not the majority of the class is within your view. Prevent items like computer, shelves, and other gadgets from obstructing your view. When teaching, avoid the common teaching error of backing the students while writing on the board.
 
While explaining concepts to individual students during practical classes for instance, endeavour not to back the majority of the students; especially the troublesome types.


4.    Concentrate on trouble shooters
Not all students are mild; some can be a total bunch of pain to unwary teachers. In the event that students aren't focusing on lessons being taught or are caught doing different things, get them focused by utilizing nonverbal signs of objection. 

If a couple of students are discussing while lessons are going on, direct a question to the student whom you feel is causing the distraction. This will bring their attention back to the lesson and it will become obvious that you want their total attention.


5.    Create a fun-filled and friendly environment

The school should not be made to look like a military barrack to the students. If you want students to always look forward to being in your class, make it fun-filled but firm. When students are happy, they assimilate more and learn more. Keep them looking forward to the next class. This doesn’t mean your class should be all about games, rather, add a dose of fun to all learning processes. When you enjoy your job, your students will enjoy you. Happiness is infectious. Spice up your teaching methods, your pronunciations, your intonations, your dress code, and your general disposition. I found it helpful deliberately calling my students someone else’s name to get them smile. It works. Just try it.


6.    Reward good deeds
When students do very well or act appropriately, reward them. You don’t have to buy them a Nintendo or PlayStation before they realise you appreciate them. Make use of lots of encouraging words like very good, you are a genius, you are a professor in making, etc.


7.    Do not overlook misdemeanours
Students are children and children will always be children. If you fail to curtail bad deeds you will eventually infect the other students and they will become lackadaisical or rebels.  When most students learn that they will be scolded for bad deeds, they tend to want to behave better. Students hate to be grounded when others are out for break. It is up to you or/and the school to determine the most appropriate punitive method for such behaviours.
 

If you manage your class effectively, your students and stake holders will sing your praises either before you or otherwise.