As we gear up for a new school year, it's the perfect time to reflect on the small shifts that can make a big difference in classrooms. Simple changes in approach can lead to significant improvements in student engagement, classroom culture, and overall learning outcomes. Here are four strategies that can help create a more positive, effective, and engaging learning environment for both students and teachers.
1. Avoid Overcompliance
While following protocols and meeting expectations are important, being overly compliant can hinder a teacher's ability to innovate and respond to the unique needs of their students. In “The Danger of Being Too Compliant,” classroom teacher Jennifer Orr emphasizes the importance of balancing compliance with creativity and agency. Do you have an idea for a unique lesson, but you're afraid it doesn’t completely follow the curriculum guidelines? Do you see that a school policy isn’t quite working anymore, but you know it’s always been done that way? Give yourself permission to ask the question or speak up about your idea. This small shift can help you gather the reasons behind decisions you don’t understand and empower you to create change.
2. Rethink Your Behavior Management System
Traditional behavior management tools like clip charts may seem effective at first glance but can ultimately undermine classroom culture. In “Your Clip Chart Is Ruining Your Classroom Culture,” Cheryl Blankman warns against the detrimental impact of publicly shaming students. Instead, adopt a more positive and private approach to behavior management. Recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors quietly can help build a supportive and respectful classroom environment.
3. Experiment to Innovate
The traditional arc of school is long—units take weeks and classes span months. This makes it hard to improve if you only get to try something once a year. Learning scientist Justin Reich suggests in “The Someday-Monday Dilemma” to experiment with shorter, iterative cycles, which can help teachers rapidly refine their methods. “Try piloting a new approach as a two-week unit instead of a semester-long course, or test a new schedule for a week.” These small, manageable experiments allow for quick adjustments, so you don’t have to wait until next school year to try something new.
4. Let Students Decide the Rules
No, this doesn’t mean giving students all the power. (Though they might lobby for a pizza lunch every day.) But in “The Power of Student Commitment Contracts,” education specialists James H. Stronge, Jessica M. Straessle, and Xianxuan Xu discuss how collaboratively establishing classroom rules allows students to feel a greater sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to a more cooperative and engaged classroom. When teachers help guide students to set their own goals and commitments, it can boost their motivation and accountability. For more resources and tools to start the school year right, check out Smart from the Start: 100 Tools for Teaching with Confidence.
