Seven Key Actions for Effective Behavioral Management from Dr. Anita Archer

Throughout my career, I’ve been deeply engaged in the sciences of learning, instruction, and reading. Yet one of the most essential, and often overlooked, foundations is the science of behavior management.  

If students don’t understand what's expected of them in the classroom, it can be difficult for them to feel safe, connected, or ready to learn. That’s why setting and communicating clear expectations is so important. It’s not about control—it’s about creating an environment where every student has the support they need to succeed. 

Here are seven practical actions you can take today to improve classroom behavior, boost learning in all content areas, including reading and writing, and build community in your classroom. 

1. Organize Your Classroom for Better Behavior Management 

A thoughtful classroom setup sends a powerful message: this is a place for learning. Organize your space to set the tone for positive behavior and focused learning. 

• Create intentional spaces for different activities, like whole group, small group, and quiet reading. Clear zones help students know what is expected in each area. 
• Establish a “teaching arena” where directions, explanations, and demonstrations are consistently given, so students know where to focus their attention. 
• Arrange seats in rows facing the teacher to increase on-task behavior during teacher-directed instruction and independent work.   
• Minimize any front-of-room distractions to optimize academic focus and learning. 
• Pair desks for structured partner sharing.   
• Organize the classroom furniture so the teacher can circulate and monitor students when they are working independently or with their partners. 

2. Set Clear, Values-Based Expectations 

Behavioral expectations work best when they’re grounded in shared values that have been thoughtfully crafted and communicated. 

• Collaborate with your team to define values-based expectations, such as be respectful, responsible, and do your best.
• Teach these expectations explicitly. It shouldn’t be a surprise to your students what your expectations and values are, and why they are important.
• Revisit expectations regularly through practice, review, and gentle reminders. Model what you want to see, and students will rise to meet those expectations.

3. Establish Consistent Classroom Routines

Predictability predicts ability. Clear, consistent routines taught at the beginning of the year help students know what to expect, and what’s expected of them. 

• Teach and review routines early and often. Students should clearly understand expectations and feel included in the process. This builds ownership and encourages accountability. 
• Create routines for different activities. For example, for whole group instruction, teach students to attend to teacher explanations and modeling and to respond to all prompts or questions. For transitions like entering and leaving the classroom, model routines such as using a quiet voice, walking directly to your spots, and maintaining physical space. 
• Monitor and supervise routines by providing praise for good behavior, corrections, and ongoing feedback to ensure students are guided toward the right track.  

4. Active Supervision Is Essential for Classroom Management

Supervision isn’t just about watching, it’s about connecting. Active presence reduces misbehavior, strengthens relationships, and gives you valuable insights into how your students are doing. 

• Walk around to check in with different students and groups and offer support. 
• Look around to observe how your students are engaging with each other, the materials, and the routines you've taught. 
• Talk around using smiles, gestures, and quick feedback to reinforce positive behavior and build rapport.

5. Remind with Pre-Corrections 

If you expect it, pre-correct it. Pre-corrections are short, proactive reminders that give students a fair chance to succeed before misbehavior occurs. 

• Give reminders before activities with a warm and supportive tone, whether verbal or visual. A quick slide at the beginning of class that says, “Silence please, materials away, assignment book out,” sets students up for success. 
• Avoid singling students out. Expectations may be harder to follow for some students than others, so it’s important to encourage all learners by reminding them you believe in their ability to meet expectations.  

6. Provide Abundant Feedback for Positive Classroom Behavior

When you see it, say it. Timely, specific feedback helps students understand what they’re doing well and how to keep improving. Sometimes we only speak up when something’s wrong but catching and naming positive behavior is even more powerful. 

• Provide specific praise when students meet behavior expectations. When positive feedback is increased, inappropriate behavior is decreased. 
• Give feedback in the moment so students associate their good behaviors with positive feedback—they’ll remember it, and it will stick. 

7. Practice Behavioral Management Every Day

Repetition, repetition, repetition is key to effective management. The more clearly and frequently you teach behavioral expectations, the more likely your students are to meet them. 

• Target your teaching to success. Success is the greatest motivator. If you target your teaching to success, better behavior will follow. 
• Seek daily opportunities to enhance your practice. Small, consistent moments—like modeling, reteaching, and celebrating progress—can make a big difference. Even brief check-ins or encouragements can leave a lasting impact. 

Your instruction matters, and when you pair it with thoughtful behavioral management, you create a classroom where learning can truly blossom. By investing in these daily actions, you’re building a space where students feel safe to grow, take risks, and succeed together.

Want more from Anita? Listen to her episode of the Extraordinary Educators™ Podcast.  
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More Resources in Our Literacy Blog Library: 
Strategies for Struggling Readers 
Anita “Archerisms”: Foundations in Explicit Instruction
Dr. Anita Archer’s Reading Intervention Tips 
Empowering Childhood Independence