Top 10 Strategies for

Classroom Management
Management & Discipline Defined

If looking at classroom success like a recipe, the proper understanding of

management and discipline are the base by which all other ingredients are
added. Along with instruction, it is the most pivotal aspect of a classroom.

Description:
To begin the explicit understanding of management and discipline, a proper definition
is helpful. Tom Savage, author of Teaching Self-Control Through Management and
Discipline, defines management as, that aspect of your teaching that focuses on
creating an environment and establishing goals that facilitate student success in
achieving both academic and social goals (1999). Therefore, the goal of management
is to provide a worthwhile learning environment for the students. Similarly, Savage
defines discipline as the development of self-control, character, orderliness, and
efficiency (1999). One of the pivotal assertions in these definitions is that the classroom
is not strictly about academics (though this is certainly essential). It entails the wholedevelopment of the child.

Significance:
Many teachers are focused on lesson planning and instructional time when first
entering a classroom. These are clearly vital, yet without a well managed classroom,
nothing can be taught effectively. Developmentally speaking, learning is not only a
cognitive (mental) task, but an affective (emotional and social) one as well. (Bjorklund,
2005) Thus, role of the teacher is two-fold. Instruction is one part. The other is spurring
children toward greater self control. (Savage, 1999) This is where the field of
management and discipline combines. By having a firm grasp on these concepts, the
teacher is better equipped to serve his or her students.
Demonstration:
Think back to your favorite class. What were some of the characteristics of the
environment you were in? Was it disheveled, disordered, inconsistent, and essentially a
free-for-all? Likely not. Typically, the classes we remember enjoying most are those that
are structured, with routines, goal-oriented, and expectations were defined. If you have
ever been in a classroom like the first described, it may have been a memorable
experience, but for all the wrong reasons, even if the instruction was well-delivered.
Management and discipline make all the difference.

Integral concepts:
ManagementOne of the most integral concepts of management is that it, involves your exercise
of classroom leadership, the facilitation of student motivation, the arrangement of the
physical environment, management of time and lessons, and the attendance to
principles of group dynamics (Savage, 1999). All of these dimensions are affected by
management. There are two types of management, boss and lead. Boss management
is teacher driven; he or she sets the standards for the class. They also concentrate on
telling, not showing, are grade inspectors, and use their power as a form of coercion,
which may create a power struggle. Conversely, lead management involves students,
teacher communication with students, listening and facilitating student growth (Savage,
1999). Lead management is considered a greater form of teaching as it involves the
students in their learning, incorporating the affective domain of learning as well. It
contributes to their total growth in a way that the boss does not.
DisciplineThe discipline domain includes, direct teacher intervention, responding to persistent
misbehavior, responding to serious behavior problems, and teaching conflict resolution
(Savage, 1999). (The response to misbehavior will be discussed in greater detail at a
later point in this project.) The ability to discipline students in an appropriate and
effective manner is key to preventing further issues and teaching self-control. Selfcontrol involves a consideration of individual motivations as well as the impact of the
action on those in the social environment, It places individual needs in the context of a
broader social context (Savage, 1999). Because self-control is not something that
comes naturally to humans, it needs to be taught in an effective manner. Therefore,

discipline is not to be used as an oppressive tool, but an opportunity for growth.

Individualization:
I chose this as the most important concept because it is so foundational to teaching
success. As new teachers, this is one of the most difficult concepts to master. (I have
found this to be true of myself as well in the course of observations.) However, with the
proper tools outlined in both books, the concepts of management and discipline shift
from negative responsibilities to a positive tool. This view revolutionizes the class. In my
own experience, I have been leery of the word discipline because of the images it
conjures (and because it is difficult for me to be stern in general). However, when
viewed in light of aiding the students development, I look forward to practicing and
building my skills in this area.
Spiritual Application:
Self-control is an often stressed concept of Biblical living. One of the most
recognizable verses regarding this is Galatians 5:22-24, the Fruit of the Spirit. But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness,self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to
Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Self control is part
of the foundation of Christian life. It is essential to so many aspects of this, in abstaining
from sin to disciplining oneself in their walk of faith. (See also Titus 1:7-9 and 1 Peter
1:5-7 for additional related verses.)