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Classroom Management for Student Teachers: Practical Tips to Start the Semester Strong

Updated: Aug 24

Classroom management can feel overwhelming, especially when you're a student teacher stepping into a new classroom for the first time. But don’t worry, friend! You’ve got the EduMagic to make it work. Let’s walk through some practical strategies to help you feel confident and prepared.


Classroom Management for Student Teachers Tip 1: Learn the Classroom Procedures First

During your first few days of student teaching, take time to observe and learn your host teacher’s classroom rules and procedures. This helps you stay consistent with routines and avoid interrupting the flow of instruction.

Here are a few procedures to jot down in your notebook:

  • Entering and exiting the classroom

  • How students are called on

  • Bathroom, nurse, or guidance office protocols

  • Turning in assignments (on time, late, or make-up work)

Want more ideas? Check out this free TPT resource: Ten Classroom Procedures Every Student Teacher Needs to Know.




Classroom Management for Student Teachers Tip 2: Call and Response: Keep Students Engaged


Call and response strategies are a fun and effective way to grab students’ attention and keep them focused. Here are some classroom-tested favorites:

  • Teacher: All set? → Students: You bet! / Not yet

  • Teacher: Hocus pocus → Students: Time to focus

  • Teacher: 1, 2, 3 → Students: Eyes on me

  • Teacher: Macaroni and cheese → Students: Everybody freeze

  • Teacher: Chicka Chicka → Students: Boom boom

  • Teacher: Alright, stop! → Students: Collaborate and listen!


You can also use call and response during transitions. For example: “Turn to page 45 in your spelling book, grab your pencil, and put your math book away. Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.” Use verbal praise to celebrate students who are ready on time!

For more ideas, check out Teach Starter’s Call and Response Ideas.


Classroom Management for Student Teachers Tip 3: Keep Students Engaged During Teacher-Directed Lessons

Even during lecture-style lessons, you can keep students active and involved:

  • Snap or stomp if you agree

  • Use positive verbal praise

  • Walk around the room and check in

  • Think, pair, share

  • High five your partner when ready

  • “Phone a friend” during Q&A

  • Use student names when calling on them

  • Let students pass out or collect materials

  • “If you can hear me, clap once… clap twice…”

Encourage self-reflection with prompts like:

  • Why is this work important?

  • How will I know I did a good job?

  • Did I check my spelling?

Create a “May Do” list for early finishers: independent reading, playdough, class website practice, etc.


keep calm and carry on teaching

Classroom Management for Student Teachers Tip 4: Closure!

Here’s your drumroll moment… the one thing every student teacher needs in every lesson is closure!

A closure is not just an exit ticket, it’s a statement that wraps up the learning. For example:

  • “Today we learned about the associative property.”

  • “We measured items in grams.”

  • “We reviewed Chapter 3 for our unit test.”

You can pair this with an exit ticket, like:

  • A sticky note response to a question

  • A Google Form

  • A Lumio activity


Exit tickets show what students know, while closure statements reinforce what they learned.


Download the Listener Guide


Classroom management for student teachers doesn’t have to be scary. With clear procedures, engaging strategies, and strong lesson closures, you’ll build confidence and create a positive learning environment.


Stay Connected with Dr. Sam Fecich

Want more inspiration and support on your teaching journey? Let’s connect!

🎯 Discover Your Student Teacher Superpower: Take the free quiz and uncover your unique strengths in the classroom: What’s Your Student Teacher Superpower?

📸 Join the Conversation on Instagram. Tag me @sfecich with your thoughts and takeaways from this post!


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