12 Behavior Management Strategies for the Classroom (2023)

There are a variety of behavior management strategies that teachers can use to create a positive and effective learning environment in the classroom.

To ensure that the teaching and learning process runs smoothly, as teachers, we need to equip ourselves with effective behavior management strategies for the classroom.

Some of my children in the classroom resist working. They seem reluctant to learn. Yelling students across the room. Crumpled paper flying like lost birds in the skies.

Hence, I reflect:

“How are my behavior management strategies for the classroom?”

Plus, quarreling children out of inexplicable differences in views and personalities. Can I still have time to compose myself? Can I still manage to say, “My dear children, you are so precious to me”?

Hasn’t a student’s misbehavior given you stressful classroom encounters? How do you manage misbehavior in the classroom?

If so, how do you go about it to prevent future problems and burnout? Whatever your ways are, still they are considered amazing teaching moments that lead to impressive classroom management.

And, our behavior management strategies for the classroom help us, teachers, proactively meet the needs of our learners.

It’s part of our mission as teachers to instill good manners in our students and is ultimately the beauty of teaching that made us choose this profession.

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Since I have experienced delight in the implementation of effective behavior management strategies, I would like to share them with you. These are behavior management that helps me manage the difficult behavior of my students with confidence and competence.

Below are some of the incredible behavior management strategies for the classroom that I have used that keep me calm and make me conscious of my own emotions as I deal with students with problematic behavior.

Read on and see for yourself if you have already applied them to your classes. If not, you are free to have your pick!

13 Behavior Management Strategies for the Classroom

It is a way to create a safe and productive learning environment.

1. Set Behavior Expectations and Consequences

How do you set your expectations in the classroom? Do you often disregard behavior expectations over your academic expectations?

To control students’ misbehavior, we need careful planning and execution. It is extremely necessary to let our students know what we expect from them. They have to be informed of our behavior expectations and consequences so they will be guided accordingly.

On my end, if my students don’t meet the behavior expectations set for them, they are to face the consequences of which they are aware right from the beginning. As they enter the classroom, I discuss my behavior expectations.

If possible, I included that in my classroom structuring. Yes, by posting classroom rules and routines on the walls, my students know what they should do. They keep track of their actions and that is a big help on my part. I would spend less time reminding and reprimanding and more on instruction and teaching.

2. Set Routinary Activities

My students know what to do after having a class activity. They arrange their desks and put tables back into place. They return their used supplies in the proper storage boxes. They know specifically what to do upon entering and leaving the classroom. These are some of the routines that I let my students follow to keep an organized classroom.

The daily routines help my students to be more systematic in their classroom activities. Frequent telling and instructing them what to do next is not needed once they get used to the different classroom routines. Thus, it’s quite easy for me to manage their behavior.

By showing my students how things are done and how routines are executed, it is made easy for them to execute the daily activities in the classroom. Teaching them what first is needed if we want them to meet expected outcomes. We should not just tell them what to do.

Things can be done well when they are done regularly. With this concept, I let my students practice doing the set routines so they can do them with mastery as time goes by and it would be easy for me to make additions in case something pops out.

Doing this will make my students aware of what is expected of them. Hence, doing daily routines can become second nature to them by and by.

3. Get the Root of the Matter

Our students behave differently because of several considerable reasons. When we deal with these learners who display undesirable behavior patterns, it’s important to know the ‘Whys’ of things.

Usually, I will conduct a close interview with the child involved and use anecdotal records. I always have these important dates in my planner. Then I will let the child narrate what happened and why he or she did such things. And, I listen willingly and patiently.

For me, it’s helpful to show the child that we are eager to listen and share our thoughts about it. This is a concern for them and they need it to boost their confidence.

In my personal experience as a teacher, the more I listen and show care, the more improvements I see in my learners. It’s because they know that they have somebody in the classroom who is willing to lend an ear.

4. Give Reasonable Consequences for Misbehavior

For me, giving consequences corresponding to each misbehavior incident is needed. Apparently, I have this in my behavior management plan and is presented to my students during the first few weeks of classes so they will know that the classroom is founded on love, respect, security, and care.

Mostly, in the classes I have handled, I have the consequences of misbehavior posted on the bulletin board. This is to allow my students to revisit the consequences anytime and for them to reflect on their own actions and misdemeanors.

Like the manager in the classroom, I see to it that any misdeed has a corresponding consequence from deductions of scores to Guidance Counselor encounter.

I find this helpful because based on the results, my students are getting more conscious of their attitudes in dealing with their classmates and their overall behavior patterns.

In giving the consequences, I make sure that I am doing it consistently and with utmost fairness. This is my way of managing classroom discipline and I find it extremely necessary in fostering a positive learning environment which is a lot contributes to the overall performance of my learners.

5. Conduct a Parent-Teacher Conference

Behavioral matters that concern our learners should be a joint action between us teachers and the parents. It is important that we meet at the center in imposing reasonable disciplinary actions on disruptive behaviors before they can affect other students in the classroom.

I usually present my behavior management plan to the parents during the first Parent-Teacher Conference to see if they are acquiescent to my plans. Usually, we talk about the possible solutions to students’ disruptive behavior and start from there.

To exhibit fairness, I ask them about their views for they are the parents anyway and, in a sense, I am just the second parent of these students.

It is a matter of asking permission if my plans for possible consequences fit to times of occurrence of misbehaving acts are reasonable and acceptable for them.

On my end, for a behavior management plan to be effective, it should be with the consensus of the parents’ views to avoid conflicts in the future.

And, I put it into writing. I prepare minutes of the conference and have the parents affix their signatures starting from the officers of the PTA to all parents involved.

6. Write an Incident Report

In my classroom, my students are already familiar with anecdotal writing and they particularly know that I keep their sensible narratives for future reference.

I teach them the mechanics of their writing activities. So, when they misbehave for the second time around, I will show them their past narratives so they are aware that everything is recorded.

My quick documentation of misbehavior incidents in the classroom helps me track my students’ behavior and serves as my guide for my interventions. It’s just a simple maneuver of my colorful pens so to speak!

Moreover, to create a meaningful impact and for effective results, I give the parents copy of the incident reports for their keeping and tracking too.

7. Use Behavior Contract

I make my students sign a behavior contract in the first few weeks of the opening of classes to establish desired behavior and conduct in the classroom and to decide on the possible consequences.

For my students to understand the importance of the behavior agreement, I always set time to discuss what’s written on the contract. It’s my way of managing a classroom full of students with unique behavior.

Through the signed behavior contract, my students are mindful of their actions. Hence, they become more responsible for their actions which are necessary to make the learning environment conducive and safe.

Before I post classroom rules, I allow my students to craft at least 3 rules for themselves to be included in the list I’ve created.

The implementation of classroom rules should be strictly monitored and observed. Adhering to consequences consistently is a must to make our rules appear credible and firm.

8. Give Feedback And Exhibit Non-Verbal Responses

I do this with my students. I let them know what went well and what went wrong. And, feedback should be given immediately so students will remember its importance.

On a daily basis, I give feedback to my learners who display disruptive behavior and at times, I admit, they cause stress.

Giving feedback is a behavior management strategy that is most of the time forgotten. Yes, we implement rules and give consequences to students who don’t meet expectations, however, the giving of feedback for reflection is more oftentimes left to nowhere. Definitely, I possess that ‘teacher look’ and it’s effective for me.

This strategy on behavior management allows me to use my meaningful interactive gestures as responses to students who misbehave.

When I shake my head and when I place my hands on my hips, my students know what’s happening and they know what to do. Simply pointing to class rules on the walls speaks meaning that my students perceive.

However, I always bear in my mind that being the leader in the classroom I should know better how to deal with students who have challenging behavior. I can tell a child ‘I know what’s going on’ by just eye contact and facial expressions.

As a teacher for years, I have had good experiences of using my facial expressions in letting my students that their actions are monitored and are being tracked.

For more positive response intervention strategies, click this link and have your most appropriate pick!

9. Provide Positive Comments

There’s a need for us to promote positive behavior in the classroom so some students can definitely lead others by their good examples. Moreover, this will lead us to a more productive learning environment.

Not all students in the classroom display disruptive behavior. Some students are more responsible and task-oriented. Hence, they need to be recognized as our means of giving positive reinforcement to those who need it.

Certainly, there are students in our classroom who can act as leaders because they are doing good in the classroom and they are good examples to others.

By recognizing their good deeds, students who usually misbehave are enlightened and become conscious of their actions to the extent that they will yearn to be like the behaved students and they will do their best to be good.

10. Post Rules, Consequences, and Rewards List

Let the walls say it! When you enter my classroom, the first thing you will notice is my creatively mounted display boards.

I consider them one of my effective teaching tools, so, ideally, I make the most of this idea.

Furthermore, the behavior display walls are fun ways of introducing good manners and desirable habits for our students.

By displaying the class rules, consequences, and rewards list, my students are more aware of how to act properly and why it is important to behave accordingly.

Perhaps, the creative list of rewards provides encouragement, especially to learners who need extra help in their overall classroom performance.

The positive choices of behavior are presented in a manner not heavy for the students. In my classroom, my students are made aware of why they should cater to the positive choices of behavior. They need us to grow as adults and as productive learners.

Designing my behavior bulletin boards according to the set expectations is a big help in monitoring and managing my students’ behavior. The display wall caters to everyone and it is for them all. Having it in my classroom gives me a productive school year.

Furthermore, the listed rewards will encourage students to do good in class and to be more participative to increase their performance.

To emphasize the amazing contributions of deserving students in making the classroom a positive learning environment, I recognize their efforts during the quarterly awarding. I can see the satisfaction in their countenances which made me say that this strategy has been effective.

11. Use Encouraging Disciplinary Actions

Do you believe in the power of encouraging and kind words? It doesn’t mean that we will praise our students for their wrongdoings. It is about making use of positive disciplinary measures.

We are indeed agitated at times; however, I am certain our kind and encouraging words will make students reflect on their behavior and actions. I find this more effective than yelling and shouting at them.

By acknowledging their imperfections, I make them explain why they do it and how they can correct the situation. This is to make them think of possible good actions that should have been done.

I believe that reprimanding our students for their misdeeds will just make them feel bad about themselves and eventually will affect their self-esteem.

When something happens in my classroom which really puts me to the test, I just take a deep breath and pause for a moment to compose myself. I always believe that these students should know that I don’t feel bad about them personally but for their actions and misbehavior.

12. Address a Misdeed Immediately

If a student doesn’t meet any of the set classroom rules, we have to attend to his/her quickly. It is helpful to talk with the student privately. Reprimanding our students in front of others won’t help. It will just worsen the situation and will make the student feels bad.

Hence, if bad behavior surfaces under my nose, I act quickly. Having a sincere conversation with the child will make him/her feel that he/she is an important member of the class. That is why there’s a need for him/her to abide by the rules to keep the whole class going.

I find this strategy for behavior management straightforward and impactful. Disruptive students in my classroom have a special place in my behavior management approaches because I want to deeply engage them in proper behavior and academic advancement. Talking with them will help rather than not paying attention or procrastinating disciplinary actions.

If I see improvement in my student’s behavior, I feel happy, and makes me realize that teaching no matter how demanding and complicated, is still rewarding after all.

13. Be consistent.

Consistency is key. One of the most important aspects of any behavior management strategy is consistency. If you are inconsistent with enforcing rules and expectations, students will quickly learn that they can get away with bad behavior on occasion.

It is important to be consistent in your approach so that students know what they can expect at all times.

Watch the video below to gain insights on how to deal with disruptive students in the classroom.

Importance of Behavior Management Strategies for the Classroom

How to handle challenging student behavior is part of our behavior management strategies for the classroom. Certainly, the personalities of our students sometimes clash and conflicts arise.

At times it’s difficult to handle annoying behavior but then it isn’t a reason for us to stop our mission of making our students better humans.

Therefore, it’s extremely necessary to equip ourselves with amazing behavior management strategies for the classroom that will work well for our students and for us as well.

I firmly believe that if students are not disciplined, productive learning will not occur in the classroom. Chaos will be at every corner of the classroom and it’s very distressing on our part and discouraging to the part of the learners who are doing their tasks seriously.

How to Nurture Positive Classroom Behavior?

If we are to create a positive and productive classroom climate, we have to emphasize positive classroom behavior. We have to make our students feel comfortable by nurturing positive classroom behavior. How do you think they feel while they are with you in the classroom? Do you think they are confident and on the right track?

How do we put a value on the positive attitudes of our students? Do we always see imperfections in the overall mood of the classroom?

Deliberately, we can foster a safe environment in the classroom if we show support for positive and respectful behavior. The classroom rules we set with our students, if implemented properly, will help us set boundaries for a more predictable classroom environment.

On a Final Note…

As teachers, it is highly important to choose the most effective behavior management strategies for the classroom so we will have excellent classroom management. We can’t let student misbehavior affects the performance of the rest of the class.

If we are really into productive teaching and learning, we can create a positive and productive classroom environment. We need not be miserable in the classroom nor do our students need to feel terrible. The strict and consistent implementation of behavior management strategies will give us productive teaching moments on a daily basis.

If a specific strategy won’t do well with our students, at least we have amazing options to choose from. The ones I presented are some great behavior management alternatives and I know you have your credible ways too!

Feel free to comment below and spread your earnest style of managing students’ behavior in the classroom.

So, how do you help your students manage their behavior to become independent and productive? What are your ways to better the classroom?