| First of all, I do not want by any means to claim to be a classroom management expert, but I have implemented a variety of ideas from different sources that have certainly helped me in my first few years of teaching. The best book that I would advise educators to read is The First Days of School by Harry Wong. This book will do wonders for you in your first days of school. Even if you have read it numerous times, I suggest you read it every summer before you start a new school year. 
Having little things in place makes a huge difference. A strong discipline plan, a system for positive rewards, and clear expectations are just a few. I have taught 2nd and 4th grade, and have worked/interned in almost every other grade level. Here are some ideas that have worked for me: Table points is another great behavioral system I have used in my classroom. I usually have my classroom organized into 5 groups. Each group starts with the same amount of points (you can make the decision of how many) at the beginning of the week. I like to start with 5. In addition, groups can gain points for doing positive things, but can also lose points if a member or two is not behaving as they should. I think it's a great system because the children keep each other in "check" throughout the day. :) Every Friday, the table with the most number of points would get to choose something out of the prize box. However, if the winning group has less than 10 points, they will not be allowed to go to the prize box. One helpful way a class can earn a REWARD is when they get a COMPLIMENT. I have seen a number of different ways teachers give rewards, but here is one of my favorites. A teacher takes 10 index cards and writes one letter of the word COMPLIMENT on it. The teacher then explains to the class what the word "compliment" means. Once an explanation is given, they tell the class that if other teachers compliment them while during the school day, they can put a letter on the bulletin board. As soon as the spell the word COMPLIMENT, they can earn a big reward! I have done a pizza party, but that is simply one idea. Another great class incentive is called The Mysterious Message! Write a mysterious message on the board, but only leave blanks for certain letters. They can receive a letter when they do well at one of their specials or while working nicely in class. They try to figure out the sentence early on, and it's great to see them work so hard to try and unlock the mystery message!Once the sentence is complete, they earn what the sentence says! EXAMPLES: We have earned a popsicle party. We have earned a pizza party. We will have funky hair day. We have earned 10 minutes of extra recess. We have earned indoor games. We have earned an ice cream party.
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