Dear future Ag teachers

Classroom management skills are important for any teacher to hold forever, but it takes practice and knowledge to master the skill. Managing your classroom will result in an effective learning process. Here are 5 tips on classroom management that I have found useful.

1. Start strong. This could quite possibly be THE most important part of managing a classroom. Starting out the year with a strong attitude is better than starting with a weak attitude and trying to become stronger. If you start strong, you can always lighten up once you begin trusting your class. The first day will either win you or lose you the classroom. 
2. Always remind students of the expectations, procedures, and consequences. Throughout the year students become comfortable in front of you and their classmates. Reminding students of your classroom rules and consequences can bring the students back to you. 
3. Reinforce good behavior. No matter how old students are, it is always best to reinforce good behavior to receive more of it during class. Just a simple phrase of, "Thank you for raising your hand," will remind students that it is important to follow the classroom expectations. Behavior can also be reinforced through rewards. Rewarding students for doing stuff like cleaning the shop, practicing safety procedures, or simply having students' respect will reinforce the behavior you want your students to have. 
4. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Preparation of the classroom is key. Having your lesson plans ready, the classroom seating chart complete, and a prepared classroom create the environment that you are in charge. 
5. Procedures for starting and ending class. These procedures allow students structure within the classroom. It will help you maintain the class with minimal distractions, frustrations, and loss of classroom time. With the periods only being 40 to 50 minutes long, every minute counts. 

These tips on classroom management will help out a beginning or student teacher. It takes time and practice to master this skill, but it is always better to try and fail then to not try at all.