Classroom Management: Elementary vs. Secondary. Which is easier to manage?

[fireboat]

I think classroom management in the younger grades is a bit different than in the older grades.  

Why?  

For starters, our kids are younger and they're still in the process of learning right from wrong.  

Also, the kids are in the same classroom all day long, which means we can't just implement a school-directed punishment (referral, detention, etc.) and send them on their way.  

Most teachers in my school have color-coded behavior charts in which the number of behavior infractions can be visually documented for students to see.  Behavior problems result in things like time away from recess or privledges taken away.  Sometimes students are not allowed to participate in "fun" class activities.  And, of course, phone calls and notes home are far more common in the yuonger grades than the upper grades.  And...best of all... we get to include a behavior grade on report cards.

Let's get a discussion going....  Do you think it's easier or harder to manage an elementary classroom?  Why?

[Darren Barkett]

I think the older the students get the less likely it is that you can influence their behavior simply because you're the authority figure in the classroom.  Young students can see the authority inherent in the only other adult in the classroom.  High schoolers need something more than the simple fact that you're the boss of the classroom.

Which is easier depends, I guess, on individual personalities.  I like being able to joke with my seventh graders since they've got a fun sense of humor- lots of body humor.  When I taught fourth grade, all my jokes went right over their heads and I was the only one laughing.

What do the rest of you think?

Darren

[fireboat]

I currently teach third grade and a lot of my humor goes over their heads... When I taught 4th I was able to joke around with them more... and they'd actually laugh.  I guess that's what I do like about teaching older kids.

I think by late-elementary school, they begin to challenge the authority figure.  Sure, most of my third graders respect me simply because I'm the teacher--- but I have a several who will get into a power struggle with adults if you give them a chance.  A lot of it has to do with their home life.  Some of these kids were just brought up with little or no respect for authority.  These kids are a challenge, even in elementary school.  But, when you get through to them and win their respect, they can be the most rewarding to have in your classroom.

[timberry]

It would be interesting to be able to compare one student's behavior in early ed, middle school, and in high school.  How many of those early troublemakers were able to turn things around by middle or high school?  My guess is that a student overcoming their homelife is not very frequent.

[fireboat]

Former students come back all the time.  Unfortunately, I have to say that, from my observations, very few of the toughest kids seem to change their ways. 

I'd love to learn about some strategies that can help me manage student behavior BEYOND my classroom.  I generally feel that I have good control of my class WHEN THEY'RE WITH ME.... but when they leave and advance into higher grades, it seems their behaviors don't improve as they grow.

How can I make a LASTING difference that stays with kids? <---  Answer me this, and I'll feel really, really, really good about the difference I'm making in their lives.

I do feel good about teaching now-- but making a consistent, lasting difference in student behavior would be an ultimate goal.  Wouldn't it be great to know that kids will continue to be hard-working, well-mannered people when they leave your classroom in June?

[JRector]

I often worry about my students as they leave my classes.  But so much depends on the choies they make.  There's only so much we can do to help our students.  They have to be willing to grow themselves.  And if they can't take responsibility for their personal development, there's nothing any of us as teachers can do to overcome it.

[MagicOPromotion]

I remember when I was in high school, I participated in a program where I was able to leave school for half the day and volunteer in an elementary school classroom.  The regular teacher went out on maternity leave for the last few months of the school year, and a LTS finished out the year.  I was amazed at how well the sub was in classroom management compared to the regular teacher.  I felt like I learned more from the sub than the regular teacher.
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[MagicOPromotion]

Dont get so up set, we are out there as sub-teacher to do the best that we can we the students. What happen is that this teachers already have a job and they dont care how they teach or manage the classroom. But i will say one thing to you at the school district i sub they are cracking down on teachers.

larana