How to Convert Your Class from Chaos to Calm with Classroom Management

Having a strong classroom community is so important to me. I truly believe that it is the foundation of a great academic year for both students and teachers. 

A classroom without a strong classroom management system is more likely to feel chaotic. In these instances, building the connected community we want can feel extra daunting. But it doesn't have to stay that way.

There are so many things that we need to teach our students but building a strong classroom community should be a priority, right there with the academics. 

I like to start building a strong classroom community at the beginning of the school year, but no matter where you are in the school year, you can always take the time to reset and revive your classroom community. Especially with the many changes that have happened in the last year, I find myself revisiting the strategies that I have implemented at the beginning of the year to keep our classroom community strong and intact. 

What is Your Ideal Classroom?

Before you can implement things that transform your classroom from chaotic to calm, you have to have the end goal in mind.

What is most important to you in your classroom? How do you want to feel when you go into work everyday? How do you want your students to feel? 

Narrow down these things so you have a clear picture of what you’re aiming for. This allows you to seek clarity in your goals and will also allow you to know when you have improved. 

Component #1: Teach Mindfulness

There are constantly changes in the school system and frankly, in our personal worlds, too. We definitely feel that as adults and teachers. But the same goes for our students. 

For many of them, the changes are very challenging for them to process. By teaching mindfulness, we are teaching our students how to live in the present moment. Practicing mindfulness also helps students with social-emotional skills including self-regulation and self-awareness. These two skills teach students how to recognize their thoughts, emotions, and actions and respond to different situations in positive ways.

These skills go beyond academics and will stick with students for years to come. You are making an impact on these little ones' lives when you can teach them how to process big emotions and deal with things outside of their circle of control.

A quick mindfulness activity you can do with your students is to practice breathing and recognizing their surroundings using their five senses. This is a great way to ease into mindfulness practice in the classroom. 

Component #2: Conduct Community Builders

Community builders are a great way to include your students in the process of building a connected community. 

These exercises will help them feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. These exercises nurture teamwork and collaboration. They will also help to solidify the bonds students are making within your classroom. 

One way to conduct community builders is by implementing a share circle each day. To begin, you’ll have students seated in a circle and each child gets a turn to share about someone in class they noticed going “above and beyond” with their behavior and/or learning that school day. This is a great way to celebrate classmates and build connections across the classroom.

Another way to implement community builders in the classroom is to sing classroom chants. This helps nurture a sense of togetherness and encourages students to work together toward common classroom goals like self-control and integrity. You can find my top-selling classroom songs pack here. 

Finally, implementing partnerships is another great community builder. Putting students into partnerships teaches them how to communicate with one another, stepping into the role of listener and speaker during different points of the conversation. 

Helping your students gain these skills will help you feel more calm while your students are learning skills that will last a lifetime.

Component #3: Revisit Routines Often

Routines are a huge component of a calm classroom. 

It should be expected that students will need reminders about classroom routines and conversations surrounding how and why our routines are necessary. 

Routines provide structure, consistency and predictability, which we know our students need. Routines also promote responsibility and independence within students as they know what to expect and how to transition from one activity to another. 

You can come up with activities to help your students learn your routines for the classroom and understand what your expectations are of them. 

These activities not only help establish routines but also involve students actively in the process, fostering a sense of ownership and understanding of the importance of classroom procedures. Regular reinforcement of routines through creative and interactive activities will contribute to a positive and well-managed learning environment.

One of my favorite ways to introduce and review classroom routines is through my classroom expectations slides. You can check these out here.

Consistency and Repeated Practice

There you have it! 3 things to bring you closer to a calm classroom. 

It may sound like a lot, but like most things practice makes perfect. Just focus on one day and activity at a time. Be patient with yourself and your students and know that things will get better with time. Hard days are normal, they don't mean you're a bad teacher or you just have a bad class. Give yourself grace!

Need more help creating a positive classroom environment? 

You can download my free resource, 10 Ways to Create a Positive Classroom Community Guide!

This includes help on building relationships, setting expectations for learning, and introducing routines for behavior. This is a great guide for helping you begin to create a heart-centered classroom!

Click here to download 10 Ways to Create a Positive Classroom Community Guide

 now >> 

Are you an elementary teacher struggling with classroom management this time of year? Click here to sign up for my FREE training: the How to Survive the Rest of the School Year masterclass happening on Tuesday, March 5th @ 8PM EST. You'll learn the 5 keys to the Heart-Centered Classroom and strategies to help you get through the rest of the school year feeling light and fulfilled (not burned out and overwhelmed)!