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6 Oct 2025

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7 effective classroom management strategies and techniques to kick off back-to-school

Discover actionable, teacher-approved classroom management strategies to help you create an exceptional learning atmosphere – whether you’re teaching face-to-face or online.

Students in a classroom with digital tablets

 

If you’ve ever started the year clutching your coffee like a lifeline and hoping you remember how to teach, you’re not alone.

Setting the tone for respect, engagement, and a productive learning environment—as well as controlling chaos—are all outcomes supported by classroom management tools. That’s why we’ve gathered seven proven classroom management tips, designed to help you start the new school year on the right foot.

Whether you’re introducing routines or handling disruptions, Kahoot! is here to help make those first weeks (and every week after) a smoother, more joyful experience.

 

1. Establish routines and set expectations early.

Establishing clear routines from day one is one of the most powerful ways to set your class up for success. Routines aren’t just about classroom management—they’re little signposts that help students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

Talking through expectations and explaining classroom rituals is always more memorable when it’s interactive—so why not turn those key routines and rules into a Kahoot! quiz or game? You could create a kahoot around daily schedules, classroom roles, or what to do during transitions. The instant feedback and lively competition keep everyone alert, while clever visuals reinforce those key routines.

Consistency is what makes routines stick. At the start of the year, patiently repeat key transitions and classroom rituals until they become second nature.

Students see playing Kahoot as a reward, so I often use it as a positive reinforcement tool — if they participate well and follow class rules, we end with a Kahoot session. This has proven to be an effective classroom management strategy.

Sabina Mammadova, Science Teacher, Singapore

2. Build relationships and foster a positive classroom culture

One of the most effective classroom management techniques is building strong connections with your students.

Greet each learner by name, show genuine interest in their experiences, and create an inclusive environment that values every voice. Use our back-to-school icebreaker kahoots to get to know your students, or begin with a fun, low-pressure activity like a classroom quiz or a quick group discussion about last year’s key topics to get a baseline for where your students are at.

Positive reinforcement, such as praising effort and celebrating small wins, helps motivate students and creates a culture where good behavior is recognized and repeated.

 

Two students playing kahoots

"Kahoot! was always an application that brought the class to life. I remember seeing students who didn't normally engage suddenly light up. For me, that's what stuck - not just the way it organized content, but the way it made everyone feel included."

Lauren Cowulich, teaching student at McKendree University, USA

3. Leverage technology and a classroom management plan

Streamline your workflow and maximize teaching time with classroom management tools designed for efficiency.

Use our ready-made quizzes to encourage participation and gather data with our reporting tools—making it easier to identify engagement gaps and tailor your approach. This instant feedback not only keeps students engaged, but also allows teachers to quickly identify who may need extra support—helping prevent small disengagements from turning into larger disruptions.

What’s more, by integrating our AI tools into your classroom, you can automate routine tasks to free up time on administrative burdens and redirect it to classroom management and student interactions.

By integrating these classroom management tools into your daily routine, you can create a more organised, responsive, and supportive learning environment. Kahoot! saves valuable time and boosts overall academic success by a full letter grade.*

*WiKIT, new meta-analysis of independent research.

“Within a single tool, I can introduce a topic, review it, and check students’ understanding. The game changes the environment, and even the more introverted students get into Kahoot! mood.”

Helen Lucia, English and financial education teacher, Brazil

4. Address disruptions calmly and proactively

Even the best-planned classrooms face disruptions. The key is to respond with empathy: redirect attention calmly and consistently, apply consequences when necessary.

Even with thoughtful classroom planning, disruptions are bound to happen, but integrating Kahoot! into your management approach helps you stay proactive with classroom management. When attention starts to wander, you can quickly redirect the class by launching an engaging ready-made kahoot, making the transition smooth and positive rather than confrontational. Features like the countdown timer and leaderboards offer clear visual cues, signaling to students when it’s time to focus—no need to raise your voice or interrupt the flow of learning.

Music cues and colorful graphics also serve as non-verbal reminders, helping to keep student interest. By routinely weaving Kahoot! activities into your classroom plan, expectations and procedures become second nature, creating a predictable atmosphere where consequences are consistently applied and everyone feels secure—making the management of disruptive moments both calm and constructive.

 

Two students in a classroom holding digital tablets

 

5. Reinforce positive behavior

Positive behavior reinforcement is a cornerstone of effective classroom management. Acknowledging and rewarding constructive actions encourages students to keep participating in positive ways.

“When we’ve completed the work, can we play a kahoot?” — Most educators have heard this phrase time and time again from their students. Kahoot! is a transformative tool for reinforcing positive behavior in an interactive, engaging, and simple way.

Use the live leaderboard to celebrate students who demonstrate focus and skill, or encourage students to work as a team to grow their Kahootopia! islands. The gamified approach to learning acts as a great way to reward students for positive behavior, as well as continuing the learning process and assessing understanding.

 

“Kahoot! has helped in many ways and is putting life into teaching practice tremendously! Because it's fun and engaging, boosts learning through learning, Kahoot can be used as a reward and thus grab hyperactive students' attention and secure much of their focus almost throughout the session.”

Abdelkrim Benqdad, Teacher

6. Reset and refocus with attention grabber kahoots

When classroom focus drifts or energy drops, launching a quick “attention grabber” Kahoot! offers a positive, non-disruptive way to reset attention. Instead of raising your voice or stopping the lesson, you can run a short kahoot that reviews class expectations, routines, or even the current lesson topic. The bright visuals, lively audio cues, and competitive leaderboard instantly capture students’ interest, regaining their attention and resetting the learning environment.

The immediate feedback and visible recognition for positive participation means that students are motivated to rejoin and refocus. Timed questions and praise for on-task behaviors reinforce expectations without confrontation. As a result, classroom resets become supportive and energizing moments, making it easier to maintain momentum and manage behavior throughout the day.

“I often use Kahoot! right in the middle of a lesson — not just as an assessment tool, but as a mental breather. It helps students reset, refocus, and re-engage with the content. It’s also the first step in their revision process: a playful way to reactivate key ideas before diving into deeper study. Kahoot! brings energy and structure — both are gold in classroom management.”

Loïc Van Hoorde, Physics and Chemistry Teacher

7. Reflect, adjust, and celebrate the small wins

The first weeks of school are a time of discovery and adjustment for everyone. Regularly reflect on what’s working—and what isn’t. Celebrate the small successes, like a student’s first answer in class or a day when pack-up goes smoothly.

Keep track of what went well each day and what to tweak, then share these small wins with your students to boost morale and build momentum.

“As a STEM teacher, Kahoot! has helped build classroom community by celebrating small wins. Community and teamwork is important in any setting, especially STEM. Whether it's earning a building or improving our team score, every point counts."

Elisabeth L, K-5 STEM Teacher

Looking to get a crash course in our key features? Check out our back-to-school essentials course for professional development.

Back-to-school is always a period of adjustment, but by prioritizing a few proven strategies—like setting clear routines, leveraging technology, building relationships, and taking care of your own well-being—you set yourself and your students up for success.

With a practical approach, a willingness to adapt, and support from your teaching community (that includes us here at Kahoot!), you’ll build momentum as the year unfolds.

Get Kahoot!+ Gold, our all-in-one teaching toolkit, for K12 or Higher Education.

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