Classroom Management Tips

 Things I have picked up since I began as a Teaching Assistant

Clapping hands and clicking fingers
This seems to be a favourite at pretty much every school I have visited. When the teacher or TA wishes to grab the classrooms attention they simply start a rhythm with their fingers or hands.
It can be the same used all the time for that individual or different. The classroom soon responds to repeating what the adult is doing and this quickly filters across the room with all students settling giving their whole attention.

Pros
It can bring a sense of harmony and unity to the class and I personally like it better than the hands up approach because students are less likely to talk if they are concentrating on getting the correct rhythm

Cons
For deaf children it can be harder for them to notice what the adult is doing and may not be able to hear the amount of clicks, claps etc and then feel confused, left out and on their own- which defeats the object of unity.

Extension of this tip
Rather than clapping hands, the adult touches their head, nose, ears, shoulders etc and this can be more fun that the same clapping routine. Also its quieter and gets the noise levels down even quicker.



Please note this is an ongoing piece of work and will be added to shortly.