III - Classroom Management

Consider How You Want to Manage Your Classroom
Your classroom is your space, arrange it any way you would like. Get to know the geography of the space; picture yourself there. Think about how you and your students can most effectively use that space. Also, remember that everyone contributes to the atmosphere of the class. Engage your students so they contribute their best. Move around the room, you do not have to stay in the front and pay equal attention to students on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the room.

You should be strict and careful

Being strict means:

  • Sticking to deadlines and other rules you make
  • Starting class on time
  • Expecting good behavior and performance from students

Being careful means:

  • Being well-prepared
  • Grading papers well and quickly
  • Starting class on time
  • Answering the questions you said you would find answers to

Some Rules of Classroom Etiquette

On the first day, tell students what your expectations are, so that right from the beginning they know how to behave in your class; it is much more difficult to set perimeter later. Keep your rules simple; the more rules you make, the more confused you and your students will become. But most importantly follow through on your rules and enforce them fairly and consistently.

For students:

  • Come on time
  • Come prepared
  • Hand in work on time
  • No talking, reading papers, doing work for other courses
  • No leaving in the middle of class
  • Participate in class
  • Do more that is asked of you
  • Do not cheat

For faculty:

  • Come on time
  • Come prepared
  • Hand back work in a timely fashion
  • Keep good records of student performance
  • Provide a full, rich class
  • Do more than is asked of you
  • Prevent cheating

Getting Students to Read

  • Ask them to come to class having marked the three most significant statements in reading with Post-Its or highlighter. Or ask them to mark the portions that were most unclear to them, or that they consider more controversial or most interesting.
  • Begin class with a short quiz on the reading, or have students complete an online quiz before coming to class.
  • Have them work in groups on interpreting a reading.

Academic Honor Pledge

It’s useful to note that each student is given a copy of the University Academic Honor Pledge:

   1.    I will not tolerate or participate in any form of academic frau by cheating, lying
          or stealing, nor will I accept the actions of those who choose to violate this
          code.

   2.    I will conduct myself both honorably and responsibly in all my activities as a
          St. John's University student, both academically and non-academically.

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