Hey teachers, do you have problems in your classroom? Maybe your students do things that bother you. Today, we’ll talk about common annoyances teachers have in the classroom. We’ll also give you 7 classroom management tips to help with these problems.
Tackling the Tattling
One problem is too much tattling. Kids tell on each other for small things, and it’s not only time-consuming, but it’s also annoying! Here are some tips to help with tattling in your classroom.
Classroom Management Tip: First, use a tattling turtle. It’s like a tattling telephone but easier to find. Print a picture of a turtle, laminate it, and hang it on your whiteboard. When students want to tattle, they can tell the turtle.
If the problem keeps happening, they can go to the Peace Place. The Peace Place helps students talk about their feelings and solve problems together. Doing these two things can stop 80% of tattling in the classroom.
Matching Mayhem
Another problem is when students can’t match lines to complete matching activities on the paper. It makes it really challenging to grade papers.
Classroom Management Tip: A simple solution is to use different colors for each line. Or use a ruler to draw straight lines. Some kids want to be creative, and that’s okay. Just make sure I can read it.
As a teacher-author, I like to include dots in my matching activities so that students know exactly where to start and stop. You can find this matching activity in my Solar Eclipse 2024 Pack in my TPT shop.
Post-Snack Mess
After snack time, there are crumbs everywhere and ants in the classroom. We didn’t sign up for extra critters!!
Classroom Management Tip: To clean up, we play a game of “I Spy Trash.” Whoever picks up the trash I spy wins a prize from my Surprise Box. But there are three rules: no running, no climbing, and it’s okay if you don’t get it this time.
Line Cutting Shenanigans
Cutting in line is a problem too. It’s the fast track to side-eyes and tattling.
Classroom Management Tip: In my classroom, we have a human number line using masking tape. This shows them where to stand and gives them personal space. You can change the order by name, height, or birthday. Most times, we use the class numbers to make it fast and easy.
My Voice Is Gone!
I talk all day and sometimes lose my voice. Powerful lessons were learned when I couldn’t speak. I had to find new ways to talk with my students. On those days, they were very quiet. This is what we did.
Classroom Management Tip: I wrote instructions on the board for my students to see. We used hand signals for quiet, restroom, water, and attention. I let students share information too. By not talking, I gave my students a voice.
Intentional Flatulence (Yep, You Read That Right 💨)
One funny problem is kids intentionally passing gas in class. It’s not exactly conducive to concentration.
Classroom Management Tip: Don’t give them attention to that. Ignore it (if you can). Instead, give them attention when they do something right.
Messy Desks
My students’ desks are messy. This not only induces anxiety, but it also eats away at time while students dig to find a simple sheet of paper.
Classroom Management Tip: To help, take a picture of a neat desk and make a desk diagram. Show students how their desks should look. On Fridays, spend 10 minutes organizing desks for the new week.
Remember to treat kids with empathy and grace. Their behavior is a form of communication. The 7 classroom management tips I shared help students learn communication skills and just make the classroom more fun.
Comment below to tell me what other quirks you are experiencing in your classroom. I’d love to help! Or, if you have a golden tip of your own that I didn’t mention above, please share it! I love learning together!
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