Start from day one. For optimal success, you should have your classroom management plan in place from the first time students step foot into your classroom. By doing so, you can create consistency and allow students to feel comfortable in their understanding of how the class runs. This doesn't, however, mean that if a class has gotten out of control, you can’t recapture the reins. If your class is chaotic due to a lack of classroom management planning on your part, starting later is better than not starting at all.
Create a short rules list. Aim to compose no more than five rules, as lists longer than this can be overwhelming to students. Instead of listing every specific misbehavior students shouldn’t perform, create some far-reaching rules, such as, “Students will treat peers with respect” that can encompass myriad behaviors.
Prepare consequences for rule breaking. Create one tiered consequence system for all rules, or develop a different, related consequence for each rule. For example, you could say that if a student is late to your class, he must stay five minutes late to make up the missed time, or a similarly logical option.
Develop a reward system. Give students the opportunity to earn incentives by devising a program through which they can receive prizes. For example, you could tell your students that for every day that you don’t have to hand out a punishment, the class gets a sticker and, upon receiving a set number of stickers, the entire class will receive a prize.
Stick to your rules, not wavering. As soon as you start allowing exceptions, you undermine yourself, showing students that you won’t stick to your guns. Avoid exceptions at all costs, explaining to students that your rules are unbending.
Avoid confrontations. If a student starts to talk back when corrected, don't let this war of the words play out in front of the class. Instead, speak to the student away from his peers where he doesn’t have an audience. In doing so, you can prevent yourself from losing some of your authority as well as deny the argumentative student the pleasure of entertaining his friends with his disrespect.