COUNT DOWN

Always give the students a count down to do their work. Example, "I want you to show me your answer #2 in 10 seconds, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. It works! :) -Rachel Bunderson

No Interrupting Table

This is where I read, write, and hold conferences. The kids know that when I'm sitting here, especially with a child, it's private. They can't interrupt unless it's an emergency. -Rachel Bunderson

Manging Space

In setting up my classroom, my goal is to have everything that students need available to them.. I ask myself: Can they get to the things that they need to get to? This helps push the children toward being in charge of themselves in the classroom and making good decisions. -Rachel Bunderson

Pick your battles

  If you have a student that is being continually disruptive you may want to get after the student every time, the problem is then they are getting attention only the wrong kind of attention and could want more so they continue the undesirable behavior.  But if you only discipline the student for the really disruptive behavior and praise them for the desirable behavior you will get more of the behavior you want and less of what you don’t want.  And eventually the students undesirable behavior will get less and less because they are getting good attention.

Rewards

Rewards never hurt anyone.  If you have to start with extrinsic rewards such as stickers or treats and gradually work towards internal rewards such as a way to go or a high five.  I have witnessed in the 4th grade simple rewards such as a high five and the pride that student feels from just being acknowledged when they do something good.

Transitions

Having well established transitions also help teachers to manage time.
My third grade cooperating teacher was excellent when it came to transitions. One trick she would use was to have students get their stuff ready for the next subject. For example she would have students get out their testing folder before going to lunch. When students came back from recess and lunch their folders were out and they were ready to go. Students were able to get their routines down quickly and when I started student teaching in their classroom they were reminding me that they needed to get their folders out.

Cues

I have found that well established cues really help teachers to use their time wisely.
I was having a hard time getting my class to give me their attention when I needed to give them instructions.
One cue that seemed to work really well was when I said "classity, class", they would reply with "yessity, yes, hands and eyes!" They got really good at saying this phrase in unison and giving me their attention when I needed it. It brought the class together quickly and the students enjoyed it.