Proactive Classroom Management


Learn those invisible moves that help teachers head off challenging student behaviors.

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Smoothly-run classrooms can give the impression that a teacher isn't actively doing much behavior management, but that's often because they're employing low-visibility proactive management moves that keep students focused on learning. Whether establishing a warm but demanding presence, giving clear directions, maintaining strong classroom routines and structures, or anticipating challenging moments, that teacher is most likely working hard to cultivate that safe and productive learning environment you see. This course will walk you through a series of proactive classroom management moves that will help you limit distractions and lost learning time and keep your classroom humming (...well, humming quietly).

 
  • Learn simple strategies to help prevent challenging behavior before it starts
  • Improve your ability to give clear directions and communicate expectations
  • Explore how moving around the classroom, modulating your voice, and changing your body language can help you keep your students focused and limit disruptions

Syllabus


Lesson 1: Proactive Mentality

Many teachers pay a tax—in the form of lost learning time—when they have to address unmet expectations. The best way to limit the impact of this “misbehavior tax” is through proactive classroom management moves.
Estimated Time to Complete: 45 minutes

Lesson Parts:

Video

Reading

Quiz

Discussion (optional)

Lesson 2: Establishing Expectations

Before students set foot in your classroom on day one, you need to make some important decisions about the expectations you will communicate and enforce. This lesson provides practical guidance for setting, communicating and reestablishing student expectations.
Estimated Time to Complete: 20 minutes

Lesson Parts:

Video

Reading

Quiz

Discussion and Practice (optional)

Lesson 3: Giving Clear Directions

Sometimes the root cause of misbehavior is really just miscommunication. If students aren’t clear on what their teacher wants, who can blame them for making suboptimal choices? By giving clear directions teachers can reduce disruptions, save time, and keep the focus on learning.
Estimated Time to Complete: 40 minutes

Lesson Parts:

Video

Reading

Quiz

Discussion and Practice (optional)

Lesson 4: Four Types of Teacher Presence

While you may not be able to describe it, you know it when you see it: a strong, positive teacher presence that fills the room and conveys both warmth and high expectations. But it isn’t magic, and you can improve your own classroom presence by making intentional choices about your voice, body language, movement and gaze.
Estimated Time to Complete: 25 minutes

Lesson Parts:

Video

Reading

Quiz

Discussion and Practice (optional)

Lesson 5: Scanning and Circulating

If students don’t feel noticed by their teacher, their decision-making can start to deteriorate. Maintain focus, accountability, and a positive learning environment by being strategic about how you look and move around your classroom.
Estimated Time to Complete: 25 minutes

Lesson Parts:

Video

Reading

Quiz

Discussion and Practice (optional)

Assessment

(Please complete previous section first)