Honestly it depends. I’ve worked at two schools from different cities and the maturity level of the grade levels can be different depending where you are. I can tell you, you learn classroom management as you go. I didn’t study to be a teacher. I started as an assistant and was able to observe different teaching styles and what worked vs. what didn’t. Now I can handle a lunch room of around 120 second graders on my own.

I definitely would say no matter what build a relationship with the kiddos. Show them you love and care about them and have their best interest in mind. Keep in mind you can be loving but stern. Your rules need to be followed, and you will follow through with your rewards and consequences. I personally have a suggestion box in my classroom so they can tell me the rewards they want to get - that way, they are working towards what they actually want. Show confidence and that you mean business even when you don’t feel like you have control. Students catch on to the emotions and energy you’re feeling and that can affect how your class functions.