Classroom Management in 9th Grade Social Studies: A Fresh Perspective on Empowering Teachers

Classroom Management in 9th Grade Social Studies: A Teacher’s Superpower

I’ve been teaching 9th grade Social Studies for 14 years. It’s taken me this long to appreciate that there’s something undeniably endearing and refreshingly naive about them. However, in recent weeks, my 9th grade Social Studies class has been a bit of a challenge in terms of classroom management.

Humble brag: Classroom management and connecting with students are my superpowers. It took me a long time and a lot of trial and error to reach this point, but I can say with a sense of pride that the relationships I’ve fostered with my students are the cornerstone of their academic success in the realm of 9th grade social studies.

It isn’t often that I have a class of students that refuse to behave or engage in disruptive behavior. But as we slip into the comfort of having been in school for almost three months, this class was exhibiting behavior that was immature and frustrating; constant giggling, exchanging looks while I was teaching, and making faces at each other when my back was turned. 

Unlocking Effective Classroom Management Strategies

I exhausted all my creative tricks to address the persistent, unwanted behavior in my 9th grade social studies class. From being exceptionally friendly to imposing strict rules, sending both positive and negative emails home, giving detentions, using stickers, and even offering candy incentives – you name it, I tried it all. But it wasn’t until I enjoyed a refreshing weekend getaway with my husband that I embraced a game-changing perspective. I made a personal promise to myself: I would learn to ‘care less’…

Now, you might think this sounds unusual, perhaps even a bit humorous. After all, as teachers, our job is to care, right? However, this shift in mindset granted me the freedom I needed to ease off the pressure of addressing every minor misbehavior. I began to see real change when I deliberately adjusted my perspective. Instead of dwelling on negative behaviors, I consciously refocused on uncovering the potential within each student, honing in on their interests and strengths. That’s when things finally started to turn around.

Recognizing that my class was filled with lively, competitive students who thrived on class participation, the decision to implement Pear Deck was a no-brainer.

Revolutionizing Behavior Management in 9th Grade Social Studies With Innovative Solutions

Pear Deck is an interactive student centered formative assessment tool where students participate in real time to answer all types of questions – short answer, multiple choice, drawing, etc. This Pear Deck, like all the ones I make, started off with a social emotional learning check in. It asked students to use a sliding scale to rate their current mood. The information helped me adapt my approach for the rest of the class. Most students were feeling happy and upbeat, which allowed me to be silly and playful with them. 

As the social studies lesson unfolds and we delve deeper into the history of the Aryans and the complex caste system, I witness a remarkable transformation in my students’ engagement and participation. They embraced the security that Pear Deck afforded them in knowing their answers wouldn’t be seen by the entire class. This creates a safe space for participation, especially valuable in 9th grade social studies. Frequent low-stakes interactions have now become a cornerstone of our classroom management approach. Recognizing their efforts, I offer consistent praise for staying on task and providing detailed, specific answers, contributing to a positive classroom climate.

From Chaos to Concentration: A Classroom Management Success Story

Seeing the genuine interest my students had in the caste system, I decided to capitalize on their enthusiasm. The following day, we embarked on a close reading activity, taking a deep dive into the life of the Untouchables, an essential part of our 9th grade social studies curriculum. Students are naturally curious about the experiences of others and how people live their lives. This reading, in particular, had a mesmerizing effect on my previously exuberant and unruly freshmen.

For a full 40 minutes, the classroom was filled with focused silence and unwavering engagement. The seamless integration of relevant information and the opportunity for individualized work on their Chromebooks aligned perfectly with my classroom management strategy. Students annotated the text, defined unfamiliar vocabulary terms, asked insightful questions, and crafted fully developed answers that were not only detailed but also thoughtfully constructed. This class period marked a significant milestone for me as a teacher, as it was the first time I didn’t encounter a single instance of disruptive behavior. Instead, my students were genuinely interested, actively engaged, and committed to their work.

Best of all, the lesson closure was a social emotional learning activity centered on empathy. It was truly remarkable to witness how the students actively engaged with this component of our social studies lesson. They not only grasped the complexities of the caste system but also found the opportunity to verbalize their thoughts and opinions, allowing them to confront and acknowledge the inherent injustices present in this historical structure. The perspective and understanding they gained by delving into how other people lived was genuinely eye-opening. It served as a poignant reminder of the immense power of empathy in our classrooms, reinforcing the importance of fostering a deeper connection with our students, which, in turn, enhances their investment in learning.

Empathy in Action: Transforming Classroom Management in 9th Grade Social Studies

While 9th grade social studies classroom management can pose its challenges, the journey I’ve undertaken has equipped me with the confidence and experience to navigate them effectively. I’ve come to understand that leading with patience, empathy, and creativity continues to remain a transformative approach for my classroom. As we move forward in the school year, I’m certain we’ll encounter our fair share of challenges, but I’m equally confident in our ability to overcome them. With the right mindset and strategies, we can continue to create an engaging, positive, and thriving learning environment for both educators and students.

Feeling brave and ready to transform your 9th grade Social Studies class? Start with this awesome resource, Pear Deck Slides for World History. Want even more personalized guidance? I’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to me and let’s problem solve together about how we can make your social studies classroom management life easier.

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