John, how are you? Professor Sana

Classroom Management Begins at the Door

Scientific research supports investing a few moments each day greeting each individual student at the door. Behavior analyst R. Allan Allday has studied how this simple action affects engagement and behavior in the classroom. These studies revealed an increase in student engagement from 45 percent to 72 percent and a reduction in the time it took for students to get on task.

Five Ways to Greet Students

1. 
   Use their name
   A person’s name is quite possibly one of their most important possessions. Whether you use their given name or a nickname they prefer, calling someone by name creates a connection.
   

2. 
   Ask a question
   A simple “how are you today?” is a good start. As you learn more about your students, you can vary your questions depending on their activities and interests.
   

3. 
   Make a request
   Give your students a sense of purpose right from the beginning by giving them a task as they enter the room. This can be a whole-class activity such as preparing their desks for the day. Or, select a few students each day for helping roles, and give everyone an opportunity to be your class assistants as the year progresses.
   

4. 
   Offer up a high five, pat on the back, or another appropriate touch-based greeting
   Special handshakes are all the buzz at some schools. Experiment with what works for you and your class. You might be surprised at your students’ creativity!
   

5.