Some teachers have it and some don't. This is something we often tell ourselves when we see some teachers with that "aunty magic." They can look at students in a certain way, and the behavior problems seem to just evaporate into thin air. Such is the case with Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series. However, this ability of supreme classroom management skills is not just a fiction thought of by an author.

Let's explore how we too can improve our classroom management to cultivate a positive learning environment that increases student learning.

Professor McGonagall was always referred to as a stern witch and for good reason. McGonagall's reputation for sternness is a lesson for all of us in classroom management. Because while she may have been referred to as stern, she was never disliked, disrespected or disengaging. On the contrary, students not only respected her, they also learned in her classroom. So how can we be stern, respected, favored and develop a positive learning environment? Keep reading to find out. I have five lessons to apply to your own style to transfigure your pupils into well-behaved learners.

1. Set your reputation early. Professor M certainly did. As soon as the first year students stepped off the boats with Hagrid, and followed McGonagall into the castle to be sorted in their houses, they witnessed her no nonsense demeanor. You may have heard the ol "don't smile until Christmas"? While this may not be literal advice, the point is valid. Set the tone early. Allow students to understand from your demeanor that your class is a class where learning will take place and misbehavior will not be tolerated. This is hard for us that are young at heart. We like to joke and have a light personality, but what McGonagall and other teachers with superb learning environments understand is that students misread levity as softness. Therefore, it's probably better to take a page out of McGonagall's playbook and start off strict. Once students understand your rules, procedures and routines, have practiced and perfected them, you can "lighten up." 

2. Build a reputation for fairness. Minerva McGonagall was just as fair as she was strict. Strict doesn't mean mean. Snape was mean and unfair. McGonagall applied the rules to all students evenly. She chastised students that behaved badly regardless of who they were, which Hogwarts house they were in or the students' past. This unwavering sense of fairness endured the students to the professor and motivated all students to behave correctly. It motivated ne'er-do-wells to behave because they knew not to try Ms. Minerva, and those that follow rules were encouraged to continue their positive behavior because they saw misbehavior addressed. Also, morning encourages a well behaved student to misbehave like unfair practices of a teacher. As a matter of fact, unfairness will make frequently misbehaving students misbehave even more. Ask yourself, so allow that one kid a lot of breaks because you know how bad his homeless is? Do you allow the jocks, nerds, preps, gifted, etc. behave one way? McGonagall never showed favoritism or prejudices; neither should we.

3. Be good at your job- teaching. McGonagall was exceptionally well at transfiguration. She was one of only four registered animagi of her time. Therefore, students knew that her lessons were worth their time. As an academic coach, I see students that act out in classrooms because the lessons are not well prepared or engaging. What's worse is that some teachers are clearly making it up as they go, and students realize it. Thus, they respond with an attitude of indifference. In other words, if you care little about preparing engaging lessons, students will care less about completing them. However, when you present yourself as an expert of the subject, whether it be transfiguration or math, students respect your knowledge and expertise and will automatically want to learn your skills. This means we must:

• Teach ourselves skills or content that we may be lacking

• Anticipate questions and find answers ahead of time

• Find quality resources that are unique and peak student interest.

  
  

4. Remain consistent. Changing our expectations is a recipe for classroom management disaster. You've heard it before: set your expectations and stick to them. But this really is essential. Understand, students will ask you to bend on your expectations. If you have stated that all cellphones must be placed in the parking lot at the beginning of class. They will inevitably ask you to bend the rule just this once. Ask yourself, "what would McGonagall do?" Remember when Harry begged and pleaded her to let him attend a trip even though he did not have a signed permission form? It was evident that she felt sorry for him (it's okay to show empathy!), but she was unwavering. The rules were, after all, the rules. This type of consistency will decrease the number of times students try skirting your expectations. Let them know quickly by words and deeds that your expectations will always be followed regardless of who or what the situation involves.

   
   

5. Connect with your students. As we read the Harry Potter series, isn't it good to read about the severe-faced McGonagall connecting with students over quidditch? As stern as she may have been, the high-expectations professor still showed interest in the school sports. We too can connect with students outside of the classroom by:

   • Attending sports events

   • Asking them about their weekend, vacations, etc.

   • Conversating about their interest such as videogames, arts/crafts, horseback riding or books

   • Starting or sponsoring clubs

These subjects will increase our "likeability" factor and students will want to show respect to our learning environments and will want to perform well for you. I can not tell you how showing a little concern for students' interest outside the class will get you inside the class. As the great Rita Pierson said, "kids don't learn from people they don't like."

I have one last suggestion for you to make your classroom a place of increasing socially and emotionally aware students.

Take a look at two lessons that I have in my store that allows students to learn about acceptable behavior in the classroom and in society. They really will educate and engage students in the importance of acting appropriately to increase classroom learning. Click either activity down below.

Use this popular children's book to deliver an opinion writing lesson.

Included:

• Clear and simple teacher instructions

• Bellringer: What is an Opinion

• Lesson Opener: Classroom survey (incorporates making a chart of opinion)

• Lesson Discussion: How can we support our opinion with facts, numbers and quotes?

• Work Session: Read the book and Respond to Prompt

Additional comprehension quiz provided through Google Forms!

A multiday lesson that teaches SEL lesson on acceptance. Students explore theme and write their own story with a character building theme.

In the end students will both understand how there is more to Dr. Seuss' stories that meet the eye. They will then write their own Seuss-like story about accepting yourself and others. A really engaging way to practice creative writing, SEL and right in time for the National Read Across America Week.