Classroom Management Trends
Ashley Lafortune
Grand Canyon University

Abstract
Classroom management trends are presented to help teachers facilitate the learning environment. The three trends are context management, conduct management, and covenant management. I will compare the trends against each other and present strengths and weaknesses to each method. I will also present which approach will be used in my lesson plans.

I will discuss the trends in classroom management. The three methods are content management, conduct management and covenant management. Classroom management has proven to be a plaguing aspect of the teaching and learning over the past decades. Classroom management is the leading concerns of teachers and principals. It is the single greatest factor that affects student learning in the classroom. So, much effort has been given to new and experienced teachers to combat this challenge.

The first trend is content management stresses instructional management skills related discipline problems. This approach focuses on planning efficient lesson plans for classroom presentation of lessons. This trend believes that keeping students engaged in the lesson thru proper planning of great lesson plans will minimize disruptive behavior in the classroom. Students will not be distracted or tempted to misbehave because they will be so engaged in the lesson. Students have a desire to learn interesting lessons. So having a content management approach can be effective in keeping the classroom running smoothly.
The second trend is covenant management which is relationship focused. Covenant management trend stresses the relationship between the teacher and student, group or class. This approach believes that every student seeks to have a relationship with their teacher that fosters learning. The student – teacher respect is very important in achieving an ideal classroom environment which fosters learning. That student – teacher respect is gained through the covenant approach. Because builds that relationship between the teacher and the students. So when discipline issues come up the teacher can quickly redirect, de-escalate, warn, keep on task all the students.
The third trend is conduct management trend which stresses the student’s actual behavior in the classroom. It stresses particular rules and procedures to be established so that students know what they are allowed to do or not do. If those rules are broken then appropriate level of discipline will be enacted.
Comparing these three trends is quite challenging because they tend to overlap. Yet, at their core they are distinct. The content approach is passive towards misbehavior. It tries to avoid it by keeping the class motivated and engaged. While the conduct approach is very direct. When a student misbehaves it quickly gives attention to it and is resolved appropriately. But the covenant management approach is very unique. It stands on the relationship established by the teacher and students. So, when it is needed it acts passively or aggressively towards disruptions or misbehaviors in class. I believe the covenant approach is the best approach because classroom breakdowns tend to happen because one student is the alpha female or male. That particular student acts out to disrupt the class purposely. That student is a catalyst in the class and they move the other students away from the teacher lessons. So, when a covenant management approach is emphasized the teacher has established a positive respect with that student and the student will lead the class towards actively participating towards the lesson. This theory of mine shows the weakness in content management approach because it doesn’t matter how well planned the lesson is the class will disrupt the lesson because there is not a covenant with that alpha student or students. The weakness in the conduct approach is that that particular student usually is not intimidated by the discipline enacted by the teacher for misbehavior and they come back the next day or week performing the same disruptive behavior because the student feels that there is no bond between the teacher and themselves and will view the teacher as the enemy in a psychology classroom war.
The approach that I would use for my classroom management would be covenant management approach. I believe that this is the best overall approach for classroom management. Relationship building is the key to providing an ideal learning environment. I will incorporate “getting to know you” assignments so that I can make relationships connections to the students. I will also have relationship building exercises every other Friday. I will also have discussions about respecting each other and what that means. These simple exercises will help build that mutual respect needed to keep the classroom management running well. When a student commits a minor disruption I will none verbally address it with a look or hand gesture than continue on with the lesson. If there is a major disruption I will address the student privately and find out the cause and solution to the problem. If the class as a whole becomes unruly I will address the class about how I need their attention on the lesson for them to understand it. That simple statement will bring the class back on task so that I can finish the lesson. When students sense the emotional connection to their teacher than the make effort to please the teacher because at students want to please those they respect. I will also incorporate content management because having an engaging fast paced interesting lesson plan supports the covenant method. The students see the class moving in an engaging manner, so it reinforces the students respect for the teacher.

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