How to Calm a Classroom
Have you ever had a situation like this…?
A while back, I had a group of students who were a good, sweet bunch of kids, but let's just say, very energetic—maybe even a little wild! And on this particular day, things were especially chaotic. I think we had a fire drill, a special presenter, and even possibly a full moon. So needless to say, it was an “off” day. I had given them a brain break but when it was time to transition back, they were so wound up that coming back to our lesson just wasn’t happening.
I tried my usual strategies, but nothing was working. As a result, I had this moment of panic: I’ve lost control. How am I supposed to bring them back now? It’s not a great feeling. Does this sound familiar?
In this post, we will talk about a few tips and strategies that can help you in moments like these—ways to bring your students back and regain that calm, focused energy in the classroom as quickly as possible.
Why Yelling Doesn’t Work (and What to Do Instead)
When chaos breaks out, for many of us the first instinct might be to raise your voice. But yelling often isn’t effective. For one, students may not even hear you over the noise, because instead it only adds to it. More importantly, raising your voice only matches the room's energy rather than lowering it. Since our goal is lower the energy and the noise level, here’s a better approach: aim to draw their attention visually. Use proximity to move closer to a group of students, and calmly use a verbal cue like, “If you can hear me, touch your shoulders,” or, “If you can hear me, clap twice.” This quietly prompts their attention, often turning it into a game. Other students will be quickly recognize that their peer’s attention is onto something else and soon, the rest of the class catches on.
Another helpful trick is to just switch off the lights. A sudden change in lighting can be enough to draw attention without adding to the noise. The goal is to lower the energy level while bringing students’ focus back to you.
The Power of a Reset
If the noise isn’t overwhelming but students are very distracted, try a “reset.” My go to is to have my students put their heads down on their desk. I know this is commonly utilized as a consequence, but for it is NOT a punishment but rather a quick moment to refocus. During this time, I remind them of their expectations provide time to process and take a few breaths. When we’re ready I ask them to “reset”, sit up, and we start fresh.
Sometimes, if the group needs a bit more, gather them on the rug for a quick chat. This creates a clear moment of reset where you can reaffirm expectations together. I found one way to make it even more effective is by getting down to their eye level—it’s amazing how this small gesture can help students feel seen and more likely to listen to what you have to say.
When Consequences Are Necessary
After you’ve tried calming strategies and resets, if the class continues to struggle, it may be time to introduce a consequence. There’s often debate around whole-group versus individual consequences, but here’s a simple rule of thumb that I follow: if vast majority of the class is not following expectations, a whole-group consequence is appropriate. Now, if you notice a few students following directions, then by all means, don’t include them in the consequence. Consequences might look like taking a few minutes from recess or having a quiet time-out as a group.
Recognizing Positive Behavior and Using Rewards
When things go off track, remember that there are usually a few students still doing exactly what they should. When this occurs why wouldn’t you recognize their positive behavior!? It can be used as a model for the rest of the class and provides affirmation to the individual students that are following expectations. Doing so also helps support your positive classroom environment.
Rewards and incentives can be a helpful supplement, though they shouldn’t be the core of your management strategy. Use them as occasional, positive reinforcement to make the classroom experience a bit more fun. For example, individual rewards could include small coupons or tags, while whole-class classroom management games could focus on goals that lead to a group reward, like a popcorn party or special activity.
Every teacher faces days when the class energy is high and behaviors are challenging. I hope these tips and strategies were helpful for you in navigating these moments in your classroom.
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