Classroom Management Ideas: The Positive Teacher’s Guide

 Everyone is concerned about finding the best classroom management ideas when gearing up for back to school. This post covers tons of positive classroom management tips and tricks for teachers.

Classroom Management Ideas

Let’s get our thoughts out into the open about classroom management ideas. Put your hand up if you’ve been like me and had these thoughts before school started…

• “What will I say when I want my students to listen?”
• “How will I get them to do what I want?”
• “What should I do when {gasp} they DON’T behave or listen to me?!”
• Perhaps you’ve also had these thoughts…
• “What should I do when they are behaving?”
• “How can I teach my students to be good classroom citizens?”
• “Can I praise them and reward them?”

If you put your hand up for one or more of these thoughts, you are like me and realize that good classroom management ideas are fundamental. I’m sure you can agree that having a classroom management plan is an absolute 100% must for any classroom.

Table of Contents

• Classroom Management Ideas
• 10 Positive Classroom Management Ideas
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #1 Team Points and Desk Trophy
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #2 Coupons
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #3: Classroom Jobs
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #4 Oscard Award
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #5 Transitions
    • Using a Chime & Mindfulness
    • No-Yell Bell
    • Transition Tools
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #6 Rules
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #7 Give me “Five”
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #8 Bucket Filling
    • Bucket Filler Books & Sorting Activity
    • Bucket Filler System
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #9 Classroom Schedule
  • Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #10 Noise Control
  • Check out the great tools I use in my classroom!
• The Ultimate Classroom Management Resource
• More Classroom Management Ideas

We are given a large group of children and are expected to teach them. We are expected to guide them on content and how to be good citizens, kind friends to others, and hard-working students. Being ready with a plan is critical!

Today, I will share some tried and true classroom management strategies that I have come to love. They work for me and my beliefs in the classroom. I hope you find something you can use in your classroom as well.

10 Positive Classroom Management Ideas

I have been teaching young children for many years, and in that time, I have tried A LOT of classroom management strategies. Many people tell me that I should try this method and that. I have tried rewards and verbal praise. I have tried “time-outs” and “red cards.” Yup, I have tried it all!

But out of everything I have tried, classroom management strategies that are POSITIVE and encourage growth have always felt suitable for me. I strive to keep and give ownership to children for their behaviors and help them learn from their mistakes. Children need structure and know the classroom rules and expectations early in the school year. I spend most of September building our classroom community and doing many community-building activities.

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #1 Team Points and Desk Trophy

I spend time each month strategically planning out table groupings for my students. There are usually 4-6 in a group, and I prefer to have four groups. Each group has a color, and that is their team for the month.

Those groups work all week to earn points for their team. They earn points for doing many positive things.

We brainstorm as a class at the beginning of the year to devise a list of ways they can earn points. We post and review this chart frequently. This way, they know exactly how they can earn points. Some ideas include being the first group ready to listen, being the group with the tidiest desks, and being the group that helps others in the class.

As these positive things happen throughout the week, I add tally marks to the board underneath my table group signs. Grab a free set of table group signs to use in your classroom!

The team with the most points at the end of the week earns the class trophy. They also pick a coupon from the box (more on this later).

The unique trophy sits in the center of the desk grouping all week. I found this trophy at the dollar store. Any trophy that stands would work well. This gets the kids excited and motivated!

During the next week, I call on last week’s winning team to be the first to demonstrate things, lining up and getting supplies as a bonus.

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #2 Coupons

Students earn coupons throughout the week for having the most team points, getting the Oscar award (more on this later), being a special helper, being a great listener, or doing something extra special. I use reward coupons at predictable and unpredictable times, which keeps it fun and exciting for everyone.

My students love coupons and get very excited about them. They especially like that they get to choose which coupon they want.

You can read about the classroom coupon reward system and how to create something similar in your classroom!

I tried various reward systems over the years, but after spending A LOT of money on tiny surprises and toys with little significance, I discovered the coupon system.

I have created a set of classroom coupons that you can check out or try a FREE sample!

To store my coupons, I found a clear plastic box at Michael’s with the perfect size compartments to hold small coupons. You can buy a similar coupon box or use a Teacher Toolbox like the image above. I print coupons on card stock and laminate for durability.

Some fun coupon choices are Special Supplies, Wear Shades, Share a Book, Lunch with a Friend, Cuddly Friend, Drink Pass, and many more. Students love choosing what is important to them. For example, if they like stuffed animals, they can bring a cuddly friend to school one day, or if they have a special book at home they want to show the class, they can bring it to share.

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #3: Classroom Jobs

One of the top classroom management ideas all teachers know about is having classroom jobs. In my classroom, student jobs are an absolute must. Students love having their job to take care of each day. They take responsibility and, most importantly, do an excellent job with some guidance.

I spend time during the first week or two of the school year introducing each of our classroom jobs. We discuss what each entails and what it looks like to do a “good” and “bad” job, and we practice. Once we are ready, I assign each student to a job. Some classroom jobs for students take only one person, and others take two.

The easiest method for me has been using Popsicle sticks. I write each student’s name on a stick, and I place their sticks inside library pockets. I label each library pocket with a job and post them on the wall in a classroom job display. You could add a photo of your students on the end of the sticks for a cute show!

I rotate student jobs every two weeks instead of one. They need some time to get good at the job before moving on. They also seem ready after two weeks for a change. This way, they also have the opportunity to try each job at least once or twice throughout the school year.

We change the jobs together as a class so that they can remember which new job is theirs. As I call out each job, I ask students to give me a thumbs up if they know what their job is and a thumbs down if they need me to remind them what to do for that job.

Check out our editable classroom job system and customize your routine today!

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #4 Oscard Award

One day, while shopping at a second-hand store, I came across this trophy that looks just like the Oscar award actors get during the Academy Awards. A thought came to me that this would be the perfect daily award to give my students.

This shiny guy is my special award to a different student every day. I award it to someone who works hard, does nice things, and goes out of their way to be extra special during the day. They earn the “Oscar” on their table for the day. It is a surprise when they enter in the morning.

They get to choose a coupon from the coupon box as well. I keep a class list in the coupon box to check when someone has received the Oscar. This way, I ensure everyone is remembered and gets their day with the “Oscar.”

During our morning meeting each day, I announce to explain to the class why this student has earned the “Oscar” award. This makes it EXTRA special in everyone’s eyes. This also helps students hear what it takes to earn the award.

I also created a set of student awards you can customize for each student. Perfect for the end of the year or anytime you want to recognize them in social ways!

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #5 Transitions

Using a Chime & Mindfulness

In my school, many teachers use a chime. I choose not to use it as an attention-getter but as a tool for calming the body and focusing the mind after a transition. I often use it after recess, after gym class, and before an important lesson.

We sit as a class on the carpet with the lights turned off. I tell students to take deep, slow breaths, close their eyes or look down, and relax. This takes practice and a lot of modeling before students are comfortable closing their eyes and letting their bodies relax.

We talk about and practice being mindful beings through mindfulness activities. It is essential to teach students how the brain develops, how it affects their behavior, and how to be mindful. We read this excellent book to illustrate how to be focused on what you are doing at the time and not other things. It is called Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Alderfer. Other books teach self-regulation skills to help kids.

The chime works amazingly well in calming my students down. If my students come in from the playground with problems, they often forget what those problems are after chime. Everyone feels relaxed and ready for the next activity or lesson with a clearer mind.

No-Yell Bell

I also use the No-Yell Bell in my classroom to help grab my student’s attention. It is my go-to tool in the gymnasium during P.E. because I dislike yelling or using a whistle. The kids LOVE this bell and all the fun sounds it makes. There is horse racing, applause, an alarm, a traditional bell, and more.

Transition Tools

I also enjoy using callbacks (attention-getters) in my class routine, where I use a specific call to my students, who have a particular response to my call. I use whole brain learning ones, such as “Class, Class/Yes Yes!” and fun ones like “1,2,3 Eyes on ME/1,2 Eyes on YOU!”

One of the classroom jobs in my room is to be the teacher’s assistant, but you could use your line leader to hang a door hanger on your door to let visitors know where your class is.

Before we transition into the hallway, I use line-up chants. They are simple yet fun chants we say together to get our bodies and minds ready for the hallway.

You can check out the Classroom Transitions tools, which include many callback/attention getters, door hangers, and line-up chants in color and black & white for you to use in your classroom to help with your transitions.

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #6 Rules

I like to use a variety of classroom management techniques in my classroom that work for me and my teaching style. Classroom rules touch on essential skills to help build social responsibility in your classroom. I prefer rules that are worded positively to encourage good behavior and being your best self. My students love, remember, and work hard to follow the classroom rules and expectations.

Whole Brain Learning is another great system incorporating the brain by engaging students in activities. My favorite part of Whole Brain Learning is the classroom rules.

I have been using them in my classroom for a few years with great success. They are fun to learn, easy to remember with actions, and effective at getting students to remember the rules. You can grab your own Whole Brain Rules posters for FREE!

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #7 Give me “Five”

The images with the hands illustrate this technique perfectly. I teach this simple strategy on day 1. First, I ask my students to put up their hands when they hear me say, “Give Me Five!” Then, I ask them to do this when I need their attention on the carpet in line or before any transition.

Each finger means a different thing.

1. Legs criss-cross or still.
2. Eyes watching.
3. Listening.
4. Hands & Feet to Yourself.
5. Quiet.

I post my Give Me 5 poster on the board, and we review what each finger means each morning during our morning meeting. I learned this trick from my practicum teacher when I was a student teacher, and I have used it since. It’s very effective!

You can grab this FREE Give Me Five poster by clicking the image below!

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #8 Bucket Filling

Bucket Filler Books & Sorting Activity

One of my favorite things to have ever come into education is the bucket-filling program. Teaching children to be bucket “fillers” rather than “dippers” is essential to this program.

If you are unfamiliar with it, you must start by reading these two books.

How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer

This is an excellent story about a little boy who discovers he has an invisible bucket. It helps to illustrate the concept of everyone having an invisible bucket that can be filled and dipped.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

This story explains the bucket-filling program with many great, kid-friendly, clear examples.

At the beginning of the year, we spent much time reading and discussing these books, brainstorming ways to be a bucket filler, and practicing scenarios. Initially, we “practice” being bucket “fillers” together. We do some lessons together comparing bucket dippers and fillers. We slowly start putting the program into practice. It takes time to set it up properly if you want it to be a system that works well in your classroom.

Bucket Filler System

I set up a bulletin board where everyone gets a bucket made out of card stock that I have cut into bucket shapes. Then, we add pipe cleaners as handles, a student label, and Velcro stickers to hold Pom poms. I also hang a large bucket full of pom poms beneath the board.

We discuss how to use our bucket-filling board. We only fill buckets with pom poms. Every time we fill a bucket, or someone fills ours, we put a pom pom into each bucket.

We NEVER take pom poms off. I encourage students to see whose bucket needs filling and strive to be bucket fillers for those people. There are always a few students who never bother to fill at our bucket station, even though they are bucket filling. I encourage those kids to get up to the board throughout the day, and I have a few keen “helpers” who also seem to enjoy helping with that.

Once this system is up and running, it is pretty seamless. Occasionally, I reread the books, and we discuss the things we need to work on. Overall, this system is excellent. It is incredibly positive and powerful. I love hearing my students use sentences like “You filled my bucket!”

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #9 Classroom Schedule

I am someone who needs to have a classroom schedule, so one of my top classroom management ideas is to make sure you have one. I have a planner and calendar where I write down my daily to-do’s. It helps lower my anxiety and helps me stay focused. I use this same principle in my classroom with a schedule.

I post our daily schedule cards every morning before students arrive. It is clear and takes up a prominent spot on our whiteboard. Each morning, the star of the week (or a special helper) will read the schedule out loud for everyone to hear.

I will let my students know of anything special they need to know about the classroom schedule. I also like to use magnetic clocks to help my students learn about time and checkmarks to mark off where we are throughout the day. The class reads the schedule and clocks out loud with the helper.

A classroom schedule is an excellent visual for all students. It benefits my autistic students and those needing visual reminders to ease stress and anxiety about upcoming events. I post mine on my whiteboard, but you could put them on a metal drip pan or pocket chart.

Classroom Management Ideas: Tip #10 Noise Control

We all know and have experience with that “extra chatty” class every few years. The class that no matter how many times you try to ask them to be quiet, they continue to make A LOT of noise! For this problem, I like to use the traffic stoplight approach to control the chatter and noise.

I post my stoplight somewhere visible to my students. Red means “No Talking!” yellow means “Quiet or Whispers,” and green means “Inside Voices.” I give a verbal reminder at the beginning of each activity so that it is clear to my students what the noise expectations are. I use the arrow or magnet if it is hanging on my whiteboard to show which color we are on.

A few of my colleagues have this excellent imitation traffic light that helps them control noises in their classrooms by setting a noise control. It is called the Yacker Tracker. It is a genius system that does the work for you!

If you want to grab a copy of this FREE chart for your classroom, click the image below!

Check out the great tools I use in my classroom!

The Ultimate Classroom Management Resource

Try the Classroom Management Bundle by Proud to be Primary to make teaching in the classroom easier. It includes eight different classroom management resources to help you create the ideal environment in the primary classroom.

It has everything you need to make your management plan the best it needs to be. Use the printable rewards, classroom jobs, schedule, and more to decorate the room and keep kids on task.

Find 8 of the Proud to be Primary Classroom Management resources inside this big bundle:

1. Classroom Jobs
2. Reward Coupons
3. Classroom Schedule
4. Rules & Expectations
5. Transitions
6. Brain Breaks
7. Student Awards & Certificates
8. Fast Finisher Cards & Activities

More Classroom Management Ideas

Ultimate Guide to Classroom Management

Classroom Management Plan

Classroom Coupon Reward System

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