Managing a good classroom is always the pride of a teacher. If ever a good class turns nasty, the reason could be mis-managing the class children! It often happens that the mainstream schooling comes with discipline - the rules and regulations. Yet, the class is with roars and uproars when the teacher fails to maintain the silence. Children often giggle and find the freedom to find pleasures in small little things. Their imagination soar to heights especially when they have to attend busy sessions of study in classroom. A spark triggers from a child and the fire catches with the whole lot which we all know, becomes unmanageable.

For an extra curricular English cum Library class that I run, it turned to be more disciplined with sort of casual attendance, fun and yet much more productive, constructive and informative class sessions. Call it an English Language & overall Development class, the students registered for a weekly session round the year. Rules had to be framed for regular attendance, dues charged for tearing the library books and even punishment given in a creative way. A total reference class where children entered came with references and enrolled for the year. A figure reached 80 students per session with varied ages from 5 to 15 years. Managing the good class was a challenge. More, achieve the desired result from the students.

Well, how could we do it? Back to memory lane, my experience can chart the simple management of self - as a Teacher, it needed a lot of planning and worksheets. As a parent or a teacher, maybe these tips might help to manage children. Call it an Instructional strategy or a Practical strategy, the grown up children of Swagat still look back to remember the wonderful days spent at Swagat. Their memories call in for reunion as I see them commenting in FB. And, I wonder, passage of years have sweeped away the waves from reading to tech age with gadgets - ipods-tv-video games and Internet. Reading is completely on the back seat!

Managing bigger classrooms is not an easy task as often parents blame the teachers. Vice versa. Teachers find parents responsible for spoiling the child. Today's children are more stressed and more unmanageable than yester years.

Kidsfreesouls tips might help some way:

Tips to Manage a good classroom: (parents can follow too)

1. Compulsory reading for 30 minutes (minimum 20). No talking, no flicking eyes, no getting up for anything - not even for asking a hard word. When all are reading including you, its herd mentality. Result: Hyper child settles for a routine habit of reading. For Schools, it could be one class esp. for reading with exchange of read reviews.

2. Engage them with active participation. Once the reading is over, ask, ask and ask - Pick individual child especially one you don't find concentrating and tell him to narrate a story. Go easy and encourage others to speak in-between which normally teachers don't allow.  The best will speak without letting down the ones who can't narrate.

3. Laugh, chat and engage them in activities they like. 'You're bored' attitude has to shake off. Let them draw, color, write in scrap book or even talk to each other. Debates are too much fun and learning too. There is always a creative approach that works wonders.

4. Writing instructions on the board and make them copy. Often it ends up that slow learners learn to concentrate and write faster. Pointing on the board takes less time than repeating and even paying attention to children.

5. Stop Comparisons. Often teachers and parents make mistakes and knowingly-unknowingly, compare a child with another. If you ever need to compare, explain to the child where he lacks than the other and where he need to improve. Vice versa. However, do not be abusive in approach.  Children are often found to be interacting, 'Teacher told me you're good in narrating but teacher told me, my hand writing is good'

6. Learn to stop saying No. A big No is rebel. Children never like to listen this word when they have set up their minds. Divert them with wits and use word power. 'Sure, we'll play the games next time and if you want to play the games today, next session is sure got to be serious reading.' And, follow this.

7. Stop the Power game. Children often abhor 'power' and the slightest mistake you make to show your power, you are in to face fierce ego and arrogance. However, to discipline children, you need to apply tactics. Power struggles often end up united children against you.

8. Don't lose patience. Patience is the key to win hearts. Take a deep breadth, calm down and attend nasty kids. Say nice and be nice - you have nice smiles coming back to you. This will help to explain your say.

9. Be easy. Do not force as it never brings any results. Take time and eventually, your goal is seen through as to what you want the child to achieve.

10. Let music flow free in classroom. Teach a dance step or two. Children love happy singing and merry dancing - ever and always.

11. Enjoy story sessions. Tell stories. Listen to their stories. You can share their travel experiences, how they liked the picnic and summer tours or how they enjoyed dining out on a sunday. They even love to tell their game or tv cartoon watching experiences. Sharing is caring and coming closer.

10. Let there be faith. Let there be confession writing. Let there be resolutions writing. Let there be 'Thank You' note writing - These simple things stir the children and fill their emotional minds with love and gratitude.

I learnt my mistakes and learnt it hard way sometimes. When children rebelled, when they created havoc with their screams and especially when they ran all around the library class and played 'fire in the mountain' - it sure was 'fire in the library' but its smiles as they were happy and had the best of the childhood I can give to them:-)

Do share your classroom experiences so that I can still improve on the ones where I lag behind. The reference class do have a steady flow of few children that still keep coming to Swagat every week.

Past article - How to Discipline Kids | Brat Kids!

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27th January 1832 was the day when Charles Lutwidge Dodgson - (pen name Lewis Caroll) was born. A British Author, well known for her children's Literature was also a distinguished mathematician and logician who wrote several mathematical treatises as well as fiction and poetry, Lewis Carroll is best known as the creator of the classic children's novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Often wonder why do I specifically celebrate birthdays of Literature profiles? The reason is Projects in classrooms. Once we had a random session of knowing Authors and Poets. In came the idea to go for Literature Projects. Children have an option to select one Literature profile they like best and jot down their bio, pieces and pictures. They even ended up making collage work with their best language phrases and poetic rhymes. Five in a group, their project turned to be quite unique with a sharing and reading each other's work.

- Read more: Alice in Wonderland : Literature Projects

Robert Burns, or Rabbie as he was known, was the son of a farmer, born in Alloway,a village on the River Doon,  Ayrshire, in the southwest of Scotland on January 25, 1759. He is famous for his poetry and his songs, some of which are: Auld Lang Syne; Comin’ Thro the Rye; Sweet Afton; Scots Wha Hae; Green Grow the Rashes; and A Red, Red, Rose which are all songs as well. His song 'Auld Lang syne - a new year song - In scottish dialect means 'old long since, or days gone by. Burns had heard an old man sing the song and he wrote down the words and Burns has been given the credit for writing the song. Listen to his song and find profile in Literature - Enjoy.

- Robert Burns and the new year song Auld Lang Syne

Cartoon Doll Emporium (CDE)  is an online playland that has the largest and best collection of dress up games online. In addition to its collection of dolls, CDE also features arcade games, picture galleries, contests, a forum, and one of the most unique social communities online called MyCDE. Make new friends, create an avatar, earn virtual money, adopt a baby or pet, blog, form clubs, and much, much more. Free to Join and Have Fun.