Educators in the current century are constantly looking for the best spot to choose between individualized curriculum plans and teaching classes that are too crowded with pupils. They employ and incorporate technology, creative grouping of pupils, standardized tests and everything in between that one can possibly imagine with hopes of engaging the class. Even the best of efforts in the educators’ part fall short when encountered with a high-needs classroom.

A high-needs classroom has a few key features that set them apart from normal, run-of-the-mill classes. Usually, classrooms with high needs have a dense student population and is a mixed bag in terms of cultural and economic backgrounds. Most of the pupils in a high-needs classroom have behavioral and academic issues. Hence, the educators at a high-needs classroom must have some surprising tricks up the sleeves that let them manage their classrooms with ease.

High-needs classrooms and educators – how it stands

Educators over the world are always looking to improve, revamp, and to inspire their pupils. They want to bring out the best in their students and pull out all stops to help them achieve the goal. However, even the most seasoned educators often struggle with the high demands of the rapidly changing education system of the current times.

Let us consider the case of Singapore, for example. Merlion has long been a hub of education and the best academic practices. However, even the finest infrastructure for education and the most erudite educators cannot keep students from going through academic hassles. Availing homework help in Singapore is thus one of the most common practices for students in school or colleges. In fact, studies show that availing literature ormath homework help online has become quite popular with school-going kids these days, and this is a global occurrence.

What do you do when the going gets tough in your classroom? What can an educator do to make sure that managing a high-needs classroom becomes a walk in the park? This post contains tried and tested tips that will surely help you in tackling high-needs classroom issues way better than before.

Factors to keep in mind for managing your class – tips and tricks

A loud classroom, poor performance problems, disobedience issues, and many such factors irk teachers from time to time. Whenever you are about to reach the threshold of your tolerance level, remind yourself that you are not alone. There are many in your shoes right now. Keep the following tricks in mind and try to implement the same in your class right away!

• Dire consequences do no good

This goes out for all teachers who hate students breaking classroom or school rules. Approach the situation with an open mind and take the smallest punitive measure for starters to see if that does the trick. Threatening the class with dire consequences will only alienate them and hinder your teaching process.

• Tackle problems creatively

Tackling “classroom situations”, as some teachers love to call it, can be fun too. All you have to do as an educator is to feel the pulse of the class and act accordingly. For example, be creative when solving classroom situations which require disciplinary actions. Design a special challenge for students coming in late for class or misbehaving. Arrange for a mini-extempore session and call each misbehaving student to the podium to talk about the virtues such as patience, honesty, time management and the likes. This will get the entire class hooked to what their classmates have got to say as well as teaching the miscreants a lesson the right way.

• Arrange for rewards that keep them excited

Positive rewarding goes a long way when you are teaching a bunch of unruly middle-schoolers. Everyone loves receiving presents, so use the same concept to ensure that you get the best out of your class. Children can be pretty easy to manage only if you know the right kind of incentives to use. Set examples by rewarding the best-behaved child of the week with a candy bar or a special badge. That way, the entire class will know that it pays to behave well in class. You can do the same for discipline, academics and co-curricular achievements as well.

• Anticipation works wonders

When you have to teach a class of an easily distracted bunch of kids, keeping them interested enough in what you are teaching can be quite a tough nut to crack. Leading child psychologists are of the opinion that anticipation is a pretty good factor that keeps them interested for long. You can try this out in class in many ways. For example, announce the plan of the day at the very beginning of the class with pointers like, “Today, we are going to learn how volcanoes erupt” or “Today you will learn about how a butterfly gets its wings”. That way, they will know what’s coming at them in class. This trick also has a higher engagement rate than others.

• Stay enthusiastic, no matter what

The positive side of being more enthusiastic is that it usually gets to the kids as well. When they see their teacher turned out all brightly for class every day, the chances are that they will put in that extra bit of effort towards doing well in class too. Sure, there can be moments when you hardly want to push on, especially if you walk into a noisy classroom almost at the end of a school day. But do not let anything dim your shine and kids will soon follow your suit as well. There is, after all, no downside to being positive and enthusiastic that helps in building up your class like never before.

• Let them have their say as well

Involving students in what happens in the classroom is one of the best ways that you can manage a high-needs classroom. When you establish a more or less equal power dynamics in class, students get a sense of control of what goes on during the lessons. Once you figure in their opinions on matters like whether to do a project in class or over the weekend, they will be more eager to take part in other class activities as well. Give them choices regarding their academic tasks, and they will soon be doing them at a pace that they find best for themselves.

• Create a class routine

Routines work well in classes. However, the primary challenge is sticking to the method that you prepare for the class. It is best to tackle this issue on a weekly basis so that short-term goals of getting things done on time are no longer a worrisome matter. Lay out the routine for the week on Monday itself, and encourage the class to stick to it. Promise a rewarding activity or additional break time on Friday to your students if they get through the week and achieve all the goals that you set. Establish a routine that works for your class, and there will be no looking back.

Wrapping it up

From impertinence to sloppy homework submissions, teachers all over the worldalways have their hands full when it comes to managing a class. Kind words, the right dose of enthusiasm and smart tricks can help you manage even the toughest of classroom situations. Try the tricks discussed in this write-upand see what works for you. Improvise the style, and you will surely find the best way to get your class to behave. Good luck with managing your pupils!