Pragmatic classroom management helps instill punctuality in students. It delivers consequences for tardiness through disciplinary measures such as detention or visits to the principal. It ultimately helps students understand that their tardiness affects more than their own academic progress because it distracts other students from learning. Pragmatic management informs students of punctuality parameters from the first day of school and continues to stress their importance when students fail to meet those expectations (see References 1).
Pragmatic classroom management has a plan for what actions to take in case of an emergency, and effectively communicates proper procedures for students to perform (see References 1). Students fully understand their roles and responsibilities, such as exiting in single file or finding their assigned partner. Pragmatic management also addresses the need to regularly practice emergency procedures. Ultimately, the pragmatic approach ensures that students remain safe in both dire and routine circumstances.
Pragmatic classroom management is flexible. When students respond to an English lesson with enthusiasm and increased participation, for example, it is sometimes OK to let this discussion bleed into the time that the teacher initially scheduled for a mathematics lesson. The teacher should not ignore the math lesson altogether but respond with patience and let the discussion flow. Pragmatic management uses structure as a guide but is willing to bend a little for the sake of students' academic progress.
An important strength of pragmatic classroom management is that it structures time efficiently and decisively. Students understand that certain tasks and responsibilities have to be completed by the appropriate time. They also understand that other activities, such as lunch and recess, will occur only when they have fulfilled their academic obligations by attending class. Pragmatic classroom management also assists teachers in developing a curriculum that is neither too large nor too small. Teachers must be able to construct lesson plans that they can deliver in a specific amount of time, making it advantageous to organize the lesson plans pragmatically.