Classroom Management

The Educator’s Guide to Excellent Classroom Management

From tips for quick conflict resolution to strategies for avoiding common classroom management mistakes, this collection of articles and videos brings together research-backed, teacher-tested guidance for keeping your class on track.

January 9, 2026

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The Research Is In
7 Classroom Management Mistakes—and the Research on How to Fix Them
Whether our emotions get the best of us, or we fall into familiar but unproductive habits, here are 7 common classroom management mistakes, and what the research suggests you should do instead.
Youki Terada
Classroom Management
Research-Backed Strategies for Better Classroom Management
When students act out in class, it can be challenging to find positive ways to address their behavior. Here’s what the research suggests works best.
The Research Is In
How Novice and Expert Teachers Approach Classroom Management Differently
A 2021 study reveals the ways in which new and experienced teachers think about discipline—plus 6 takeaways for managing your classroom effectively this year.
Youki Terada
Research
8 Small But Impactful Classroom Management Shifts
How using subtle gestures, spatial awareness, and tone of voice can nudge your classroom toward smoother operations.
Youki Terada
The Research Is In
The Key to Effective Classroom Management
A three-phase process helps build strong teacher-student bonds, which can reduce disruptive behavior.
Youki Terada
Classroom Management
4 Subtle Shifts for Better Classroom Management
Tiny tweaks can make a big difference for calming chaos in the classroom—these research-backed tips can help teachers get started.

Classroom Management
Establishing Classroom Norms to Enhance Students’ Collective Efficacy
Middle and high school students generally feel invested in norms since they work on creating and committing to them together.
Amanda Adams
New Teachers
My 5 Cs of Classroom Management
By setting clear expectations and promoting a sense of connection, elementary teachers can set students up for success at the beginning of the year.
Laurel Maxwell
Classroom Management
Social Contracts Foster Community in the Classroom
When students and teachers collaborate to create shared behavior expectations, the whole class is invested in the norms.
Classroom Management
Building Strong Foundations With Classroom Routines
Investing time early in the year to establish procedures and expectations lets teachers and students enjoy a classroom that runs more smoothly (almost!) every day.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
How Cocreated Social Stories Help Set Expectations
When teachers invite students to contribute to social stories featuring expected behaviors, they set them up for success on the playground, in the classroom, and beyond.
Classroom Management
Fostering Belonging With Classroom Norms
When students help create their classrooms' rules and culture, they’re more engaged and invested in learning.

Classroom Management
How to Improve Classroom Behavior Without Public Shaming
Instead of clip charts and data walls, try these classroom management techniques to discourage misbehavior and build a stronger classroom community.
Andrew Boryga
Classroom Management
A Collaborative Approach to Skill Building Helps Address Challenging Behavior
By starting from the idea that students do well if they can, teachers can help them develop skills to avoid academic and behavioral challenges.
Nina Parrish
Classroom Management
How Punch Cards Can Simplify Classroom Management
By replacing the traditional ticket system, teachers can gain back time and energy while still encouraging positive behavior and strong work habits from students.
The Research Is In
8 Proactive Classroom Management Tips
New teachers—and experienced ones too—can find ideas here on how to stop disruptive behavior before it begins.
Youki Terada

Student Engagement
Building Classroom Community Through Daily Dedications
When students share stories about those who have inspired and impacted them, the whole classroom feels more connected.
Student Engagement
22 Fun Ways to Spark Classroom Connections
These engaging, low-stakes, and teacher-tested activities can help students quickly warm up to each other—and to you.
Daniel Leonard
Mental Health
60-Second Strategy: Snowball Toss
A quick, fun classroom activity fosters open dialogue while releasing pent-up energy.
Student Engagement
Surveying Students Regularly Can Yield Valuable Connections
Making a habit of surveying students provides a wealth of information about their goals, challenges, and everyday lives.
Tim Smyth
Research
The Science of Belonging and Connection
Feeling like you belong in school is critical to academic success—and there are research-backed strategies that educators can deploy, says Stanford psychologist Geoffrey Cohen.
Daniel Leonard
Classroom Management
How Classroom Jobs for Teens Instill Responsibility
When middle and high school students take ownership of tasks in their classroom regularly, they build a culture of teamwork and support.
Classroom Management
41 Elementary Classroom Jobs to Build Shared Responsibility and Community
Classroom jobs help students feel seen, trusted, and excited to contribute to their classroom community.
Donna Paul

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
19 Ways to Help Elementary Students Self-Regulate
These strategies can help young learners practice an essential life skill—and foster classroom harmony in the process.
Daniel Leonard
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Self-Regulation Practices for Teachers and Students
Using these strategies regularly can help elementary school teachers ensure that their rooms are inviting and productive.
Kathy Collier
Mental Health
6 Questions To Help Students Cope With Everyday Stress
Stress can be an overwhelming force in teenagers’ lives. A few simple questions can help them find relief and get back to learning.
Paige Tutt
Student Wellness
Self-Calming in the Midst of Emotional Turmoil
Students may need guidance to bridge the gap between understanding self-regulation techniques and actually using them in moments of heightened emotions.
Clementina Jose
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Encouraging Teens to Develop Self-Regulation Skills
When students understand their individual strengths, they can advocate for themselves and meet their own needs.
Sarah Kesty, Mead Ploszay
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Emotional Regulation Activities for Tweens and Teens
Middle and high school students often experience strong feelings, and self-regulation tools can help them feel in control.
Lauren Brukner
Classroom Management
Demonstrating Self-Regulation With Tone of Voice
When teachers model self-regulation by using a voice that is calm, neutral, and assertive, they help students feel cared for—and ready to learn.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Teaching Self-Regulation by Modeling
When teachers explicitly recognize and respond to their emotions in class, students learn to engage in these processes themselves.

Classroom Management
34 Ways to Quiet a Rambunctious Class
From “Silent 20” to imaginary marshmallows, these teacher-tested strategies for all grade levels can help you snap an unruly classroom back to attention.
Daniel Leonard
Teaching Strategies
30 Ways to Bring Calm to a Noisy High School Classroom
From 'finding the lull' to the magic of a dramatic whisper, these teacher-tested strategies quickly get high school students focused and back on track.
Anne Noyes Saini
Teaching Strategies
23 Ways to Quiet a Chaotic Middle School Class
Teacher-tested attention-getting routines to help you quickly restore calm and focus to noisy middle school classrooms.
Anne Noyes Saini
Classroom Management
The Magic of a Noisy Classroom
Sometimes building connections and community matters more than adhering stringently to all of the rules, teachers say.
Sarah Gonser

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
A Conflict Resolution Framework for the Early Grades
Teaching students to put aside their differences until they’re feeling calm can help them learn to resolve issues independently.
Sara Furnival
Classroom Management
Managing Your Class Without Collective Punishment
Even in moments of frustration, teachers can hold disruptive students accountable without punishing the class as a group.
Matthew Ebert
Classroom Management
When the Teacher-Student Relationship Breaks Down
These strategies will help teachers reset boundaries and repair relationships if classroom dynamics have become dysfunctional.
Matt Pitman
Classroom Management
The Role of Emotion Co-Regulation in Discipline
Helping students regain their calm after misbehavior doesn’t mean there are no consequences—it ensures that the right lesson is learned.
Lori Desautels
Research
Addressing Work Refusal in the Classroom
As educators grapple with the silent protest of student work refusal, research illuminates the underlying causes—and possible solutions.
Daniel Leonard
Classroom Management
Addressing Persistent Defiance
Any student may refuse to cooperate at times, but handling students with oppositional defiant disorder requires that teachers have a plan.
Nina Parrish
Mental Health
How to Respond When a Student Acts Out
Research shows that disciplining a child when they’re in the middle of an emotional outburst isn’t effective. Try these strategies instead.

Classroom Management
4 Characteristics of Outstanding ‘Warm Demander’ Teachers
The dispositions and priorities of teachers who hold high expectations for every child, care deeply, and help them reach their academic potential in a structured environment.
Sarah Gonser
Classroom Management
Balancing Friendliness With Firmness
By setting clear expectations for behavior early on, teachers can have fun with their students without losing control of their classrooms.
Crystal Frommert
The Research Is In
The Research on Life-Changing Teaching
What really moves the needle for educators, and by extension their students?
Youki Terada, Stephen Merrill
Classroom Management
Maintaining a Tight-Knit Classroom Throughout the School Year
Fostering a positive community focused on learning can be tough in middle school when students’ initial excitement wanes, and these tips can help.
Lindsay Kervan
Classroom Management
60-Second Strategy: Appreciation, Apology, Aha!
A quick, low-key way to build community in your classroom on a daily basis.
The Research Is In
Welcoming Students With a Smile
Greeting each student at the door with a positive message brings benefits for both students and teacher.
Youki Terada
Classroom Management
Relationships Matter More Than Rules
Community building in the classroom starts on day one. Try these strategies to begin forging strong relationships.
Rebecca Alber
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
60-Second Strategy: Pom-Pom Jar
Explicitly teaching and celebrating kindness is a simple yet powerful way to build a positive classroom culture.

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.css-1sk4066:hover{background:#d1ecfa;}7 Classroom Management Mistakes—and the Research on How to Fix Them

7 Classroom Management Mistakes—and the Research on How to Fix Them