1 of 27

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT FOR DEVELOPERS*:

OR HOW TO MAKE TEACHING FUN

Troy Strand, Teacher & Game Composer

bit.ly/igdateaching

*or any non-teaching professional, really

2 of 27

OBJECTIVES

You will learn strategies for managing the classroom and boosting student engagement

2

bit.ly/igdateaching

3 of 27

AGENDA

Classroom Management Techniques

Q&A

3

bit.ly/igdateaching

4 of 27

HELLO

I’m Troy Strand

Bachelor of Music Education

Master of Music Composition

Band/orchestra teacher for six years

Makerspace teacher for two years

Teaching coach for two years

4

bit.ly/igdateaching

5 of 27

I.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR LESSONS

How to start off on the right foot

5

bit.ly/igdateaching

6 of 27

1. Begin by Reaching Them

Get to know your class

6

bit.ly/igdateaching

7 of 27

Begin by Reaching Them

  • Learn their names and how �to pronounce them
    • Even if you’re not with �them long
  • Consider using name tents to make this easier
  • How to Teach So Students Remember by Marilee Sprenger

7

bit.ly/igdateaching

8 of 27

2. Establish Procedures & Routines

The most important thing you can provide

8

bit.ly/igdateaching

9 of 27

Establish Procedures & Routines

  • Provide an accurate agenda and stick to it
    • This is especially helpful for students on the autism spectrum
  • Establish learning objectives in kid friendly language
    • What they will learn, not what they will do

9

bit.ly/igdateaching

10 of 27

3. Practice Proactive Behavior Management

An ounce of prevention...

10

bit.ly/igdateaching

11 of 27

Practice Proactive Behavior Management

  • If you have time, create norms with your class
    • Three to five, no more
    • Focus on “do” rather than “do not”
      • “We will respect the person speaking”
  • Come to consensus and create an anchor chart
    • Refer back to this when needed

11

bit.ly/igdateaching

12 of 27

II.

HOW TO TALK TO KIDS

It’s… different

bit.ly/igdateaching

13 of 27

4. Use Enforceable Statements

The secret sauce

13

bit.ly/igdateaching

14 of 27

Enforceable Statements

  • You only make demands of yourself--never the students
    • “I am on page 47” puts you in control; it doesn’t make you wait for students to follow
  • “Bummer” and “that’s too bad” are perfectly acceptable responses
    • “This is boring!” “Bummer.”
  • Teaching With Love and Logic by David Funk & Jim Fay

14

bit.ly/igdateaching

15 of 27

5. Watch Your Tone

Make good choices with your voices

15

bit.ly/igdateaching

16 of 27

Watch Your Tone

  • When they go high… we go low
    • They raise their voice, we keep ours calm
    • We never rise to their level
  • When you’re providing whole group instruction, vary your tone and timbre
    • This is harder for men who are culturally conditioned to keep their voices low

16

bit.ly/igdateaching

17 of 27

6. Deposit More Than You Withdraw

Put money in their banks

17

bit.ly/igdateaching

18 of 27

Deposit More Than You Withdraw

  • Strive for a 5:1 positive to negative interaction ratio
  • “Deposit” money in their social account
  • “Withdrawing” money will be easier when there’s more money
  • Kids naturally want to please others; this is a powerful motivation for them

18

bit.ly/igdateaching

19 of 27

III.

HOW TO ENGAGE & MOTIVATE KIDS

It’s an art and a science

bit.ly/igdateaching

20 of 27

7. Own the Space

It’s everyone’s classroom

20

bit.ly/igdateaching

21 of 27

Own the Space

  • Don’t stand at the front of the room
  • Every inch of that room belongs to everyone
  • Proximity is a powerful behavior deterrent
    • Standing next to a student who is off-task can prove powerful in redirecting their behavior

21

bit.ly/igdateaching

22 of 27

8. Use Multiple Stimuli

Not everyone is a visual learner

22

bit.ly/igdateaching

23 of 27

Use Multiple Stimuli

  • Visual, aural, kinesthetic
    • Visual: learn best with pictures, reading; closed captions
    • Aural: learn through listening conversation
    • Kinesthetic: learn best by doing, love movement

23

bit.ly/igdateaching

24 of 27

9. Use Formative Assessments

Guide your lessons as you go

24

bit.ly/igdateaching

25 of 27

Use Formative Assessments

  • There are many, many tools to assess student learning as you go
  • If they know something, move on
  • If they don’t, reteach and spend time reinforcing concepts
  • Bell ringers and exit tickets

25

bit.ly/igdateaching

26 of 27

EXIT TICKET

Let’s play a game!

gimkit.com/play

26

27 of 27

THANKS!

Any questions?

You can find me at:

  • @YellowChord
  • strand.troy@gmail.com

One-pager from today’s session

27