Keeping 60 Students Engaged: Simple Behaviour Routines That Work

Ever stood in front of 60 students and thought: “Do they even know I exist?” You’re not alone. Managing behaviour in a large Bangladeshi classroom can feel like trying to direct traffic in Dhaka at rush hour — noisy, chaotic, and slightly overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a magic wand. You just need a few simple routines that make life easier for you and calmer for your students.

1. Start Strong: The First Two Minutes

What happens if you give 60 students two minutes of “free time” before you start? Exactly — chaos.

Instead, try this:

• Greet students as they enter. A smile goes a long way.

• Have a quick “Do Now” task on the board (a maths sum, a sentence to correct, a quiz question).

• Use a clear phrase to begin: “Pens down, eyes up!”

👉 The result? Students are working before you’ve even spoken. Less chaos, more calm.

2. Signals, Not Shouting

Let’s be honest: your voice is not louder than 60 teenagers. So stop trying.

Instead:

• Raise your hand, use a clap pattern, or ring a small bell.

• Teach students: when the signal goes, they stop talking.

• Praise the groups that respond quickly (“Table 3 — ready in 3 seconds, fantastic!”).

Rhetorical question: Wouldn’t you rather save your throat for singing at weddings?

3. Bite-Sized Teaching

Ever noticed students’ eyes glaze over after your 15-minute explanation? (Be honest — even teachers switch off in long meetings).

Try this instead:

• Keep your input to 5–7 minutes.

• Then switch: “turn and talk” with a neighbour, a quick quiz, or jot down an answer.

• Move around the room — your presence is your best behaviour tool.

👉 Short bursts keep energy high and attention sharper.

4. Master the Art of Transitions

Want to see real chaos? Ask 60 kids to hand in their notebooks “whenever you’re done.” Disaster.

Instead:

• Practise how to pass books row by row.

• Use a countdown: “You’ve got 5…4…3…”

• Give kudos to the group who finishes smoothly.

Why? Because smooth transitions = less wasted time = fewer headaches for you.

5. Respect is a Two-Way Street

Yes, Bangladeshi students are culturally respectful — but they’re still human. They respond best when they feel seen.

• Learn names (or use seating charts if memory fails).

• Notice the positives: “Group 2 — working hard, excellent focus.”

• Correct calmly, don’t escalate. You’re the grown-up, after all.

Question: Who would you rather listen to — the teacher who barks at everyone, or the one who notices when you’ve done well?

6. Finish as You Mean to Go On

Don’t let the last 3 minutes dissolve into chaos.

Try this routine:

• Signal the end clearly: “Before you pack up, write one thing you learned today.”

• Dismiss rows one by one, not all at once.

• Give a teaser: “Tomorrow we’ll solve a mystery — bring your thinking caps!”

👉 Students leave calm, and you avoid the “stampede to the door” effect.

The Big Picture

These aren’t tricks — they’re habits. And habits free up your brain to focus on teaching instead of firefighting. Research from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) shows that clear routines add months of learning every year.

And honestly — wouldn’t you like your classroom to feel less like herding goats and more like… actual teaching?