Managing your classroom doesn’t have to be hard! EASY classroom management for elementary teachers is as simple as 6 words: Show Me. Tell Me. Remind Me.
Use Visuals for Classroom Management
As a great teacher, you likely already hang an abundance of visuals for your little ones. You fill your classroom with lots of environmental print and kid-friendly anchor charts. You know that seeing words or images will help them remember something they are learning. You also know they can use those resources as they work to gain mastery of new skills.
Visuals are not only helpful for academic information but for classroom management too! Setting clear expectations and reminders for your students to frequently see will set them up for success and prepare your classroom for focused learning.
These visual reminders help you to remember important information too!
Read on to learn the 6 words (& matching visuals) you can implement to improve your classroom management strategies for good.
Easy Classroom Management for Elementary Teachers
It really is simple— Show Me. Tell Me. Remind Me.
Hang these posters in a place where you can see while teaching your whole group. These posters will act as a cue for your classroom management strategy.
How It Works
Instead of focusing on the students’ negative behaviors, which can feel icky for everyone, do your best to call attention to the positive, desired behaviors.
PRO-TIP: you can use a regular tone or even a whisper so that you don’t have to raise your voice (or blood pressure!)
Show Me.
The words “show me” are important because they call attention to the behaviors that you want to see.
Choose different students to model the appropriate behaviors for the rest of the class— and not just the ones who also always act exactly like you want.
For example, do you have that one kid who always slides to his spot on the carpet? Let THAT student be the one to show everyone how to sit on the floor safely!
Using this method also allows you to give immediate and specific feedback.
It might sound like this:
- “Show me how a first grader walks to the carpet.”
- “Who can show me a safe way to line up?”
- “Tyra is showing me a quiet way to carry her pencil box without shaking it!”
Tell Me.
The words “tell me” are important because you work all year long to reinforce routines for your classroom. It’s also important to set expectations at the beginning of each activity.
Asking the students to tell you what their behavior should look like in a given situation helps them to verbalize and hear those expectations one more time.
It might sound like this:
- “Tell me what I should see when I look at your center.”
- “Who can tell me what kindergarteners do when they hear my recess whistle?”
- “Tell me two things you need to bring to the carpet.”
Remind Me.
The phrase “remind me” will quickly become your favorite because it’s one that can be used all year to review expectations. Not only does it eliminate nagging, but kids LOVE to help adults remember things!
It might sound like this:
- “Remind me what you should do if you have a question.”
- “Who can remind me how to clean up a morning tub?”
- “Chris is reminding me of how to carry an iPad safely.”
Once you start to incorporate these six words into your classroom vocabulary, you will see a shift in the way that students respond to your direction. You should also see a difference in how you feel at the end of each day!
Are you ready to get started with the “Show Me, Tell Me, Remind Me” strategy in your own classroom? Hang the FREE signs in your classroom or attach the FREE mini posters to a clipboard for a portable reminder!
More Classroom Management Ideas
The Star Table is a great motivational tool to aid in positive classroom management. The star moves to different tables throughout the day, depending on which table of students is the quietest. The table that has the star at the very end of the day earns a special prize!
Classroom jobs and visual schedules are another great way to manage your classroom. Assigning jobs to students helps them stay engaged while fostering a strong sense of responsibility. These jobs can be big or small— all are important in elementary classrooms!
Visual schedules give your students a clear outline of what to expect throughout the day. They provide clarity, promote independence, and support different learning styles. When students know what to expect, they are less likely to be disruptive or need redirection.
These ideas can all be huge assets to an EASY classroom management plan in your elementary classroom!
Remember, you’re incredible for managing dozens of children daily! There’s no denying how challenging it is to meet everyone’s needs, manage behaviors, and TEACH. Incorporate any (or all!) of these classroom management resources to lessen your load by teaching routines and keeping students engaged.
When you focus on the positives using the “Show Me, Remind Me, Tell Me” strategy, you put students in the driver’s seat to share what they already know about your classroom expectations. And just like you support your students with visuals, you can also help yourself with them!
You’re doing an incredible job!
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5 Responses
These are great tips!
Thanks for sharing, Emily 🙂
Anisa @ Creative Undertakings
I like it! Thanks for this blog post.
Hi Emily
My name is Sandy, and im an Early Childcare Educator in Columbus Ohio.
I’ve been in Childcare for 15 years but im about to have my own pre k class for the first time in four years.ive always been with the Infant class.
Anyway,I’m very interested in reading your information.
I am currently at one daycare working with another Teacher,who has established her class,so when I take over at around 3pm,the children don’t really listen to me, I’m trying to become a lead teacher so I can have my own class in our second building,that will be opening soon.
The age group varies right now from 3- 4 1/2.
This class is difficult with the different ages and I do get frustrated when some of the kids start to not listen. I’m not sure what to do!!!
My e mail
[email protected]
Thanks for the helpful and positive advice. I’m also from the pre-Pinterest and Teachers-pay-Teachers!
LOVE your Positive approaches!!! I also LOVe your artistic talent! Thank You for sharing…from another First Grade teacher who loves new insights and polka dots!!
kg in co