There are a lot of ways to manage your classroom. Some of the most often used methods;

Soccer card discipline. This works much like a soccer game, the first time a child "goofs up" they pull a card and place it in their pocket on the pocket chart that you have already made. Second time they pull (or place) a different color card in their pocket. Third time they place the red card which is the "go to the principal" card.

Advantage is that the teacher and the child have a visual clue to each misbehavior acting as a reminder or warning device.

Beans in a jar is tried and true. Each time a group/individual does something good they get a marble dropped into a glass jar. The "clunk" is a good reminder for kids to do the right thing. Once the class receives a pre designated amount they get a reward. This helps classes work as a unit instead of a deterrent to individual bad behavior.

Checks on the board works the same as the Beans in a jar. This is often used with group seating arrangements so groups can compete with one another to be the best for the week. A drawing on the board to represent the seating allows the teacher a chance to place checkmarks in the appropriate "group". A weekly predetermined reward should follow.

Popsicle sticks seem to be a common tool for asking questions and delving out assignments. It does keep the students on their toes. When the students know that they may be called upon at anytime they tend to pay much closer attention. On each popsicle stick is written a number or a name. Each child has his/her own number given at the beginning of school. The numbers can be used to line up, answer questions, designate monitors, or anything.

NBC (negative behavior consequence) cards are used by some. It is used very much like Soccer cards. But instead of a pocket chart to put them in the teacher has the paper work at his/her desk. Once the third check is garnered the student goes to the office. Like the "Three Strikes" law.

Ways to get the attention of a wayward class! There are several methods that can save your sanity when a class goes noisy. My favorite is "Simon Says". I quietly stand at the front and say, "Simon says, 'Touch your nose'". The few kids that hear you immediately respond. Then you hear a silence over the entire class as the other, not so quiet, kids want to play as well. I use this for about five to seven commands and then launch into my real directions or assignments. Occasionally I will continue a game until someone gets a laugh. This intermittent positive reinforcement gets the kids to want to listen when the game begins. But do not always go until you get a laugh. Use it with discretion.

Then there is a simple way with the teacher saying, "one two," and the kids are trained to respond with "eyes on you". You have to teach the response and reinforce it for a few times, then it become automatic. Once the kids respond with "eyes on you" they are to be watching you.

Quietly handing out "Class Money" will get their attention as well. We use paper fake dollars that they can earn. Finishing assignments, answering questions, being polite, or anything you want to reinforce is when you hand out the money. I have a chart that tells what they can buy with their money. Things like, 500 dollars for a movie, 20 dollars for 20 minutes on the computer, 50 dollars for a book from my stash of books (from book orders points ), or... whatever works for you. 500 dollars is impossible for one child to earn, therefore it forces classroom cooperation.

Clicking light on and off will get their attention. It works but there may be a bit of noise as they try to figure out the meaning of the oscillating lights.

Then there is Power Teaching! This is a way to respond for both students and teacher. It works by training the class to respond to a verbal attention "getter". It becomes a fun way to grab attention. It is not unlike "Simon Says" but it will illicit a controlled response. This method works wonderfully! Kids love it. It is one of the best ways to teach a concept and bring tactil and verbal contacts to a concept lesson.

You will notice that these techniques demand that the students respond. It takes training but it brings back those wayward kids!

Inquiry Teaching Method is used equally with direct instruction in my class. I encourage the students to ask questions then encourage them to find an answer or to begin asking questions about the lesson focus. I prepare the students to ask pertinent questions by teaching them a game about guessing a number hidden behind a screen written on the board. They learn to cut each guess in half until the reach the number in ten guesses. They become very skilled at this process. Then when a lesson comes for them to explore many of them can use the new skill of deduction to find a reasonable answer. Once they discover the answer I may begin a direct instruction lesson on the topic. They then buy-in to the lesson.

Bird-walking means to "get off topic". I allow myself to bird-walk because the questions brought up by an interested class are far more meaningful for them. The "bird-walking" always fills a background knowledge void. AND almost any bird-walking episode can be tied into the "standard based" lesson I am teaching. I want my students engaged in learning, not mere recipients.