Classroom Management for Upper Elementary

All 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade teachers understand the importance of having effective classroom management and well thought out procedures. (Teachers that don't understand how important this is aren't teachers for long!)

But there is not just one right way to handle classroom management in your classrooms. Every teacher is going to have their own way of setting up their classroom and handling procedures. Below find different ideas and things you should consider when deciding on you want to handle procedures and classroom management in your own 3rd grade, 4th grade, or 5th grade classroom.

ideas and tips for creating pencil sharpening procedures in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom

Only teachers understand the classroom management headache that pencils can cause! Read about the problems I had with keeping sharpened pencils around, and how I solved that problem.

17 fun ways to review classroom procedures with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students

We all know the importance of practicing procedures at the beginning of the year, but sometimes practice can be boring. Here are 17 fun ways to have students show they understand your classroom procedures. You can also use these ideas to review procedures throughout the school year.

32 meaningful classroom job ideas - a list for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students

A list of 32 classroom jobs to consider as you think about what sorts of jobs you would like your students to help you with in the classroom.

An easy classroom job system for upper elementary students

A different way to do classroom jobs. Instead of having students change jobs constantly, have them fill out a classroom job application and assign each student 1 job to do really well. This made my life SO much easier!

Morning routine procedures for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students for a smooth and calm morning

If your mornings are chaotic, the rest of your day will be chaotic. Here's 5 things to consider when setting up your morning routine procedures. Classroom management will be much easier throughout the rest of the day if your mornings go well.

This no prep morning work solution improves student writing and is free!

When you are constantly having to make copies so students have morning work, or when your students are unable to complete their morning work independently, it can make your mornings stressful. Read about ways to simplify your morning work and make your life easier.

Minimize classroom interruptions using hand signals in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms

This is a simple change to your classroom management procedures that can make a huge difference. Read about how having students use hand signals to communicate their needs can limit interruptions in your upper elementary classroom.

how to manage bathroom breaks - setting up procedures for whole class bathroom breaks

Since your students are going to have to take bathroom breaks multiple times a day, every day, it is essential that you set up clear expectations and procedures from the very first day of school. Read about different things you should consider when you are setting up your bathroom procedures.

This simple mental health check in when you greet students in the morning can make a big difference in your classroom

Ideas for setting up your morning routine so that you make sure you have a positive interaction with EVERY students before school even starts. Classroom management throughout the day is much easier when every students starts the day off right.

Tips for setting up elementary classroom dismissal procedures in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

Dismissal procedures were always the first procedures my students tried to test me on. Read this tips for setting up dismissal procedures and keeping students on task all year long.

The benefits of personal whiteboards and dry erase markers in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom, as well as things to consider when setting up procedures

Whiteboards and dry erase markers are a great way to increase engagement and take quick assessments. Read tips about managing whiteboards in the upper elementary classroom.

Classroom Management Tips for Pairing Students Up in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

Allowing students a chance to partner up regularly throughout the day and talk about the content is beneficial in many ways. Read tips for setting up those procedures.


If you are looking for more reading on classroom management, and haven't yet read Harry Wong's The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher (affiliate link), it's a must read. It's an oldie, but a goodie, and it provides a lot of practical tips for making sure your year runs smoothly.