Classroom Organization &

Management
PART I
PTeach I (Principles of Teaching)
THELMA (MAY) RABAGO-MINGOA, PhD
 Outline
Part I (emphasis on Envi. & Part II (emphasis on Behavior)
Routine) Perspective on Classroom
The Physical Environment Management (What is Classroom
Learning Centers Management? Why is it important?)
Grouping Theoretical & Empirical
Routines & Procedures Support (principles)
General Rules of Conduct Preparing for Effective
Paperwork Classroom Management
(Techniques, transition, withitness,
Start off Right with Parents
classroom rules of conduct,
Planning Businesslike atmosphere)
Seatwork Working toward self-
Time Management management (Dealing with
The First Day Misbehavior, School Policies)
Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 2
“Two children poke one another. Five or six
others wander aimlessly around the room. I
lean down to help a child with her writing and
she doesn’t even know this it writing time. I
hear a sudden noise at my back, and some one
yells, “Ouch!”
- Donald Graves

Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 3

 Important Beginnings
• To be a good teacher, • Know your colleagues
it’s not enough to know before school starts
the subject matter or to • Read the school policy
like children. manual
• Effective teachers are • Learn the physical layout
those who know how to of the building
manage and organize • Become familiar with
classrooms. schoolwide objectives
• Write out a detailed
schedule
• Stockpile materials
Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 4
 The Physical Environment
Arranging space Display area for
Kids around table or clusters children’s work,
of desks (for small group found objects
collaboration) Supplies
U-shape (frequent whole Large & small group
activities
group discussion)
Learning centers (for Areas within classroom
individualized, self-paced Reading, music, blocks, role
curriculum) playing, table blocks, art,
etc.
Your personal touch (plants,
art, rug, posters, pillows for
Classroom environment
reading corner, functional should inform & engage
/interactive bulletin boards…) the child
Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 5
 The Physical Environment
Desk placement Environmental
Preferences
Temperature
Light
Noise level
Create both well-lit & dimly
lit areas
Provide opportunities for
kids to move around
Establish informal furniture
arrangements
Establish listening stations
& quiet study areas
Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 6
 Learning Centers
For independent learning (decision-
making, record keeping, filing, time
management, interpersonal skills)
Full-length mirror (make-believe
center)
Book box / mini library / reading
center
Listening station
Art cart / center
Math path
Big blocks
Table blocks, puzzles
Circle time area/ group discussions
Eating area, etc.
Varies in Regular classroom, non-
graded, progressive, Montessori,
Reggio Emilia, etc. Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 7
 Grouping
When we teachers organize
students for instruction, we
are grouping them.
Instructional groups (grouping for
instructional purpose)
Ability groups (according to similar
levels of intelligence/skill)
Flexible groups (allowing students to
work in differently mixed groups depending
on the goal of the learning task at hand);
(random, ability, cooperative, interest,
knowledge, skills, student choice)
Balance in groups (gifted?; big grp,
small grp, pair, whole class)

Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 8

 Routines & Procedures
Routines are the backbone of
daily classroom life.
Routines facilitate teaching &
learning
Routines make your life easier
& save valuable classroom
time.
Routines eliminate potential
disruptions & problem
situations
Routines facilitate transition (note:
repeated warnings in time left; bell to signal pack away;
chimes to signal to move to next learning center)

Practice makes perfect (teach &

reteach routines)
Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 9
 General Rules of Conduct
Make your rule clear and specific Class Rules
1. Treat others as you would like to be
Teach rules as any subject treated
2. Respect other people’s property and
Examples: person (no hitting or stealing)
Classroom Rules 3. Laugh with anyone but laugh at no
one
1. Treat others the same way you want to be 4. Be responsible for your own learning
treated 5. Come to class & hand in assignment
2. Don’t bother anyone on time.
3. Don’t call attention to yourself 6. Do not disturb people who are
4. Work! working.
Classroom Rules

5. Listen attentively
6. Participate actively
7. Eyes on teacher
8. Sit properly

Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 10

 Paperwork
Paperwork & grading is viewed
as the most overwhelming of
teacher tasks:
Attendance, lunch counts,
lesson plans, subject-area
testing, report cards,
homework, seatwork (to check
& record), info. to gather for
emergencies, records for PTC,
students in pull-out programs
you have to keep track of, etc.
Help form students

Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 11

 Start off Right with Parents
First impressions count
Good public relations at the start
of the year improves cooperation
& support from parents
Give:
Welcome letter
Form with list of telephone numbers
(home & office)
Request for room-parents or
volunteers
Form to give list of medical & other
considerations
Copy of school policies
List of supplies children need

Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 12

 Planning
 Planning is the most important
aspect of organization & Generally, the more
management
 Your entire life as a teacher revolves thoroughly you plan an
around planning activity, the less time it
 Arranging the physical environment
 Deciding about rule & routines takes to complete it.
 Collecting materials, supplies & ideas
 Contacting parents, etc.
 Preparation for academic content:
planning lessons, weekly units, an
entire school year
Good planning takes practice.
It’s the key to professionalism
You plan not just what to do but
also where, when why & how a
certain lesson is taught

Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 13

 Seatwork
The tasks & assignments
students complete while TIPS for using SEATWORK:
working independently at their Always match seatwork to the material
desks already covered (not new)
This can be a classroom Make sure students know the purpose
management tool while you for the assignment
work individually with students Guide students through 1 or 2
who need help examples
Critics say this is used to “kill Match seatwork with ability level
time” & keep kids under control. Select seatwork that allows all
Some abuse this students a 95% success rate
But we can still use this Limit amount of time spent on SW
powerful teaching aid. Identify Carefully monitor SW
where it is we go wrong & try to Teach students to recognize when they
use seatwork more effectively. don’t understand something
Establish routines for seeking help
Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 14
 Time Management
Increasing Teaching Time Managing your own time
Set goals (professional & personal)
Decrease time allotted for breaks Make a “to do” list everyday
Find out w/c aspects of school time Do your toughest act early in the day
you can control Work within your personal time needs
Learn to say no to committee work, volunteer work,
Schedule solid blocks of teaching time
social functions
Plan smooth transition Learn to concentrate
Assign HW to extend practice time Avoid procrastination
Avoid perfectionism
Reconsider how you sched CR breaks Put to use time you spend waiting
Improve student attendance (tell Set time limits for tasks
them what will happen next day) Set deadlines for yourself & your class & stick to them
Never do anything a student can do just as well
Delegating Tasks Decorate classroom walls with students’ work
Aides, volunteers, students Team up with other teachers for special
projects/events
Senior citizens, PTA members, HS & Handle each piece of mail only once
col. Students, employees in business Enhance your workspace
& industry Make telephone calls in groups
Energize during break periods
Take time to play
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 The First Day
TIPS for the FIRST DAY:
Arrive early
Begin with wimple
Write your name on the board academic activities
Have an activity laid out when kids Monitor & maintain
arrive constant contact with
Greet students at the door
students
Ask students to sit when they arrive
Conduct a get-acquainted exercise Deal promptly with
Enjoy a god story & a good laugh behavior problems
together Generate interest &
present the most important
enthusiasm
classroom routines
Post a general schedule Issue books & discuss their
care
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 Classroom Part I: Summary
• “Effective teachers get the year off to a good
start before students enter the classroom”
• Factors that set the tone for the entire year:
– The way the classroom looks
– the routines & procedures established
– the learning centers prepared
– The steps taken to insure students’ comfort
– the contract made with parents & colleagues

Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 17

 Classroom Part I: Summary
• Well-organized classrooms:
– Set the stage for teaching & learning
– enhance learning
– Prevent behavior problems, create a stimulating
learning environment
– Help teachers make that important positive first
impression

Thelma (May) Rabago-Mingoa, PhD 18

 Classroom Part I: Questions/ Activity

Exercise:
• Design your Classroom Environment
• Create your Routines & Procedures
• Create your list of General Rules of Conduct

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