ST 101
Teaching Multi-grade Classes
Lesson 2 : Managing Students' Behavior
Submitted by: Raihana M. Lomabao
Submitted to: Prof. Hosnia A. Umpara
2026
Lesson 2 : Managing Students' Behavior
Classroom management can be defined as the process of establishing and sustaining
appropriate student behavior such that the delivery of lessons is not compromised (Kratochwill,
2010). This means that the purpose of classroom management is not to maintain order for the
sake of maintaining order, but to maintain order for the sake of learning.
There are three (3) distinct phases of classroom management:
1) Planning before school begins. Before the school year starts, the teacher visualizes life in the
classroom: how learners are going to behave in the classroom, how they will interact with one
another, how materials will be arranged, and other essential classroom considerations.
2) Implementing plans. The teacher executes the plans that were developed before the
beginning of school. In this phase, expectations are formed. The learners create a vision as to
what will happen in their class.
3) Maintaining good discipline. The teacher maintains the positive academic and social norms
that have been established. The role of the teacher shifts towards maintaining a high level of
student engagement and minimizing disturbances in the learning environment.
In a multigrade classroom, a teacher works with students of diverse ages and ability levels. As a
result, he/she is likely to confront some behavioral problems. According to Wong and Wong
(2009), the root cause of behavior problems in classrooms appears to be the absence of
established rules and procedures rather than poor student discipline. Research shows that
providing rules and procedures helps things run smoothly in the classroom. Because different
grade levels exist in a multigrade classroom, establishment of comprehensive and consistent
rules and procedures becomes even more necessary.
Here are some guidelines to consider when planning rules, routines and procedures for a
Multigrade Classroom:
a. Inside the Classroom
✔ What rules and procedures are you going to establish for the use and care of the different
materials and equipment in the classroom?
✔ What rules and procedures will the learners be expected to follow when they are in a certain
area of the classroom?
b. Other School Areas such as in the comfort room, office, playground, etc.
✔ When and how are learners going to have access to these areas?
✔ What rules and procedures are you going to implement for lining up and going to these
areas?
✔ How should learners behave in these areas?
c. During Whole-Class Activities and Seatwork
✔ When and how do you want learners to ask and answer questions (e.g., raising hands)?
✔ If you want everyone's attention, how will you cue or signal the class (e.g., using bell or hand
signal)?
✔ What rules and procedures are you going to set up for learners working together?
✔ How and when are you going to give instructions for activities or assignments?
✔ How are you going to monitor progress on tasks or assignments?
✔ How and when will the learners obtain the materials they need for the activities, tasks, or
assignments?
✔ What procedures will learners follow when turning in the outputs or materials, especially
when you are having a discussion with individuals or small groups?
✔ How and when will the learners' outputs or assignments get corrected?
✔ What procedures will you use for returning work?
✔ What can the learners do when they are done with their tasks?
d. During Small Groups
✔ What procedures, rules, and signals will learners follow regarding the movement to and from
groups?
✔ When and how can learners ask and answer questions?
✔ What are your expectations for learners who are working together in small groups?
✔ While you are dealing with a group of learners, what will the rest of the class be doing?
e. Other Procedures that Must Be Considered
✔ What routines are you planning to establish to start each school day?
✔ What routines are the learners going to follow to end each school day?
✔ Are you going to use a student helper system?
✔ What expectations are you going to set for student helpers to accomplish their roles?
Classroom behavior management entails more than just following rules and procedures.
Rather, it's a proactive and constructive system. This means that teachers should establish an
organized, consistent and culturally-relevant classroom environment that fosters student
learning and effective instruction. Moreover, they should consistently engage and communicate
with students and their families to build positive relationships with them (The Iris Center, 2021).