How do the best teachers approach classroom management? What do they do differently? Here’s the answer in a nutshell: Great teachers focus on expectations. Other teachers focus on rules. The least effective teachers focus on the consequences of breaking the rules.
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The teacher may have predetermined and stated consequences for misbehavior, but these are clearly secondary to the expectations. The key is to set expectations and then establish relationships so that students want to meet these expectations. Great teachers don’t focus on “What am I going to do if students misbehave?” They expect good behavior, and generally that’s what they get.
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Students are experts at cost-benefit analysis: If I skip one hour of class, I’ll have to go to two hours of detention. Is it worth it? (How many of my buddies will be in detention?)
