Managing a science classroom in the middle school setting can be a real challenge for both new teachers and veteran teachers. Between disruptive student behaviors, cell phone usage, unclear guidelines from administration, large class sizes, and even violence in the classroom, it can feel overwhelming. Unfortunately, we can probably all name a couple of wonderful educators who have left or are considering leaving the education field because of some of these challenges. Well, fear not! I’ve got some effective classroom management strategies that will help make your classroom a more positive learning environment that helps you leave your job smiling! In this blog post, we’ll unpack my top classroom management strategies for middle school science teachers.
Who remembers the days when a class size of 18 was the norm? I certainly do! Large class sizes of 25 to 30 students can make it difficult to give each student the attention they need. Utilizing group work and peer teaching are among many of the strategies that can help teachers keep large groups of students engaged.
Cell phones can be a major distraction in any classroom, and it seems these devices are not disappearing anytime soon. Perhaps your school has a strict policy about cell phone usage, or maybe you are responsible for developing your own classroom guidelines surrounding the issue. Either way, setting clear policies for cell phone use, communicating policies with parents, and sticking to those expectations can help minimize disruptions. And hey, let’s admit it, we struggle with cell phone addiction ourselves, so let’s be empathetic with our students in this area and work with them to develop plans that work!
A safe learning environment is the only kind that allows students to succeed academically. Nothing derails a lesson faster than conflicts that arise between students, especially physical ones. Maybe two students have been struggling to find a resolution to a social issue for the entire day, and your classroom happens to be the place where things really boil over! Establishing a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior and creating space for students to feel comfortable reaching out for adult intervention can help.
Teachers are often asked by administration to handle behavior issues within their classroom walls as much as possible, but this can seem impossible when your time and resources to handle student concerns are limited. Developing good classroom management skills can greatly reduce the need to send students out of the room for administrators to deal with. And let’s be honest, those students who frequently get sent to administration are usually the ones who could use MORE time in the classroom receiving instruction.
What is a common theme in addressing each of these common classroom issues? Clear expectations and follow-through. Before the start of each school year, it is essential that we develop classroom management plans that are comprehensive and can be used throughout the entire school year. Consistency is key when it comes to managing our middle school classrooms effectively.
Getting started on the right foot is vital for creating a positive classroom culture. While it may seem obvious and unnecessary to instruct a 12-year-old on how to walk into a classroom, setting clear expectations for classroom procedures is just as important as lab safety. Expectations should be set for everything, including how students walk through the classroom door, how they find their seat, what they do before the teacher provides verbal instructions, how they work in student groups, etc. Setting clear expectations truly is one of the most important classroom management strategies for middle school science teachers.
Teacher Tip: Place yourself in a student’s position. Physically walk into the hallway and imagine that you are a student approaching your middle school science class. In your student’s shoes, jot down every desired behavior throughout your class period. THESE are the areas where your students need to hear expectations clearly stated.
Look no further than my Classroom Policies and Procedures, which includes an 18 slide presentation with teacher tips and student expectations as well as a student expectation handout. I recommend using this resource daily to review with students before you begin your lessons.
Of course, our expectations should be stated on the first day of school. But what about when students have been in school for a week? A month? 6 months? Addressing expectations at the beginning of the year is not enough — students actually appreciate hearing expectations on a regular basis and being praised for following these expectations. Perhaps you set a weekly time to review certain expectations in depth, or even a daily overview of expectations for that *one* class that needs a bit more attention!
Speaking of that special class, if expectations seem to need re-stated frequently, you may want to consider setting aside extra time to provide minimally challenging or even non-academic activities so that you can specifically target unwanted classroom behaviors, review expectations, and improve teacher-student relationships. Maybe you have students make flashcards, organize their binders (hello organizational skills!), highlight notes, or color code a current event article. This way, students can focus on meeting your expectations without he pressure or frustration of not understanding the work.
Try out some role-play with some of your classroom expectations! Using a fish-bowl set-up, have one student or a group of students model what not to do and another model what to do, then conduct a whole group student-led discussion. While this may seem unnecessary and time-consuming, it can help promote good behavior and prevent you from having to manage behaviors more frequently later on. Plus, many middle school students LOVE the attention they get during role-playing activities!
We want our students to understand that although our expectations are firm, we value their opinions on whether or not expectations are clear. We desire that they have active participation in making changes. So, ask your students for their thoughts. Both negative and positive feedback are important and should be welcomed. For example, give students a post-it note and ask them to describe how a student should turn in their homework (or insert any other classroom procedure). You may be surprised by how well or how poorly students understand what is expected of them. Feedback can also be received through informal conversations or class surveys. While these ideas benefit your classroom management, students also start to develop positive relationships with you built on trust.
When considering consequences for instances of unwanted student behavior, try to avoid assigning a consequence to your entire class. There will always be individual students who are doing a great job following all of your expectations. Those students often receive the brunt of whole-class punishments. Instead, focus on individual accountability and positive reinforcement.
Now, we can’t assume that our classroom management plans will work perfectly from the get-go each and every year without fail. So, it’s helpful to find time in your busy schedule – perhaps the first ten minutes of your planning period once each week – to self-reflect and make changes. Ask yourself some questions like:
Remember, your students will reflect the attitude that you bring to the classroom. Maintaining a positive attitude and managing your own stress can have the greatest impact on your classroom climate.
I’ve written a Classroom management guide – your very own 118 page book written with my many years of teaching experience in mind. In the book, you will find practical, actionable advice for managing your middle school classroom. Chapters include:
Looking for a low-cost, lottery-style system to add excitement to your classroom management? These Student reward coupons may fit nicely into your school’s existing positive behavior support systems. Students will love scratching off stickers to reveal their prizes!
Classroom management is a journey, not a destination. It requires your continuous effort, reflection, and adjustment. Remember, you are not alone. Reach out to your fellow teachers for support! Share your successes and challenges! Together, we can help make middle school science a fun and productive experience for everyone involved.
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