12 best classroom management practices

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One of the subjects I am teaching in college is The Teaching Profession.  In this subject, one topic is on classroom management.  In my introduction I will tell my education students, "This is the most difficult subject."  Students might wonder why during examinations they still get higher scores.  I would then told them later about the reality in the teaching profession.  "In your first two years as a new teacher, you will be learning about classroom management.  You will only discover the best classroom management practice when you are already in the field."

As a principal I observed this as the biggest burden among new teachers. They would ask me often what is the best strategy to discipline the students.

Classroom management has been the problem for most teachers especially the neophytes.  If you are one, consider the following (from Best Practices in Classroom Management by Christopher Dunbar):

1. Hold and communicate high behavioral expectations.

2. Establish clear rules and procedures, and instruct students in how to follow them; give
primary-level children and those with low socioeconomic status, in particular, a great
deal of instruction, practice, and reminding.

3. Make clear to students the consequences of misbehavior.

4. Enforce classroom rules promptly, consistently, and equitably from the very first day of
school.

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5. Work to instill a sense of self-discipline in students; devote time to teaching self monitoring skills.

6. Maintain a brisk instructional pace and make smooth transitions between activities.

7. Monitor classroom activities; give students feedback and reinforcement regarding their
behavior.

8. Create opportunities for students (particularly those with behavioral problems) to
experience success in their learning and social behavior.

9. Identify students who seem to lack a sense of personal efficacy and work to help them
achieve an internal locus of control.

10. Make use of cooperative learning groups, as appropriate.

11. Make use of humor, when suitable, to stimulate student interest or reduce classroom
tensions.

12.  Remove distracting materials (athletic equipment, art materials, etc.) from view when
instruction is in progress.

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Reference:
https://www.msu.edu/~dunbarc/dunbar3.pdf