For the past several weeks, and as part of a new book I’m working on, I’ve been reading through the entire SCM archive of 560 articles.
And I noticed something unusual.
Every year or two there is an article that bombs. And not just a little, but spectacularly. As in a Charlie Brown whiff or the French at Agincourt.
While even the least popular articles get shared via social media a couple hundred times or so, a few get a mere 42, 31, or even 12 shares.
Why they’ve done so poorly I’m unsure.
It could be the timing of when they were published. It could be that the subject manner was uninteresting, the titles were poorly written, or they didn’t get any love from Google.
It could be that they just weren’t very good.
Whatever the case, I thought it would be interesting to share them with you. Truth be told, despite having fallen through the cracks, I still believe in the strategies they offer.
In fact, a few of the articles are among my personal favorites. I’d love to hear what you think in the comments section, and if there are any you like, please share!
In no particular order . . .
Are You Using This Power Word?
Why You Must Never Confuse Fun And Hard Work
How To Build Classroom Community; It’s Not What You Think
How To Be A Classroom Management Rockstar
How To Use The Preview Strategy To Improve Behavior
How To Be A Better, Happier Teacher By Slowing Down
How To Rid Your Classroom Of Student Interruptions
How To Stem The Tide Of Student Questions
3 Fun Ways To Improve Your Observational Skills This Summer
Why Your Humor Isn’t Working In Your Classroom
Do You Have To Lie To Be A Good Teacher?
In the coming weeks, I’ll do my best to adjust SCM strategies to the prevailing educational winds. Although I’ve heard a number of possibilities and configurations, we still don’t know what the future holds.
Regardless, we’ll be ready week after week to provide the classroom management tools you need to navigate whatever comes our way.
If there is a topic you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear from you.
Also, we’re considering a Facebook live Q&A, where you could ask me anything on your mind. If this interests you, and is something you would attend, please let us know.
In the meantime, thank you for being a SCM reader.
-Michael
If you haven’t done so already, please join us. It’s free! Click here and begin receiving classroom management articles like this one in your email box every week.
Yes yes yes on the FB Live! What’s most on my mind is how to handle lunchroom behavior, especially when the school as a whole isn’t really enforcing appropriate lunchroom behavior.
I definitely know why the summer article bombed. Most teachers prefer to relax in the summer and recharge. They don’t want to think about school until at least August 1 when they start setting up their classrooms again.
I’m surprised at some of the bombs. I found the slowing down article & stopping interruptions especially helpful.
I agree – I remember reading the slowing down article last year. The ideas and tips in the article are simple but good reminders. Slowing down helps me stay focused and strive to finish one thing at a time.
This year, I had my students take a moment and breathe deeply in and out with me when we all got a bit excitable. My 7th graders of course made ridiculous sounds, but they got the point and it came in handy when some of them got over anxious about one thing or another.
Yes I would LOVE a live Q&A and I would LOVE to see you implementing these rules you put forth live in a classroom… if you have that.
I would love for you to do an article on why the color of a persons skin doesn’t matter. Even for preschoolers. I have always read multicultural books to my preschoolers. One mom took her kid out of my class cause she thought he was to young to hear a book about black and white peoples who shared. Patricia Pollacos book “Pimk and Say”. It is an awesome book. Read it!
I agree. This website has been such a great help to me, and now is a perfect time to expand on the ideas we all appreciate learning here. I think educators should all open up discussions about working towards improved cultural sensitivity, decreasing punitive measures taken against BIPOC, and how that work can and should begin in the school setting. I listened to a great webinar last night that mentioned the importance of demanding less policing of schools and the use those funds and energy to better meet mental health and social needs of students, and support such as better de-escalation training for staff.
Also, thank you, Michael for these underrated articles- and all of the others-you have written. Some of these that “bombed” are my favorites.
Michael,
I don’t understand why these articles didn’t get the attention others did. I happen to think these are some of the most powerful techniques I have used. For example, “How to Rid Your Class of Unwanted Interruptions” is powerful in three ways, it doesn’t interrupt the teaching flow, it takes power away from the interrupter, and most importantly, there is no drama (emotional response) involved. I am so glad you listed these amazing strategies again. Thank you for the work that you do to help teachers like me stay in our profession!
Two of my personal favorites are “How To Be A Classroom Management Rockstar” and “Why Your Humor Isn’t Working In Your Classroom”. First, except for Sting, who was a teacher prior to becoming a rockstar, I can’t think of too many legitimate connections between the job of being a teacher and the job of being a rockstar. Rockstars thrive on popularity; however, being a teacher is not about winning a popularity contest. But let’s entertain this notion for a moment. I know teachers who win “popularity contests”, so to speak, but there’s just one slight problem. I’ve observed their classes and everything is a mess. Students aren’t disciplined and they aren’t focused. Now let’s take the teacher who doesn’t win popularity contests, which is ironically, because he knows how to manage his classes. Here, the same students are now focused and disciplined. This teacher is popular alright, just not with the students. He’s popular with parents and administrators instead. Here’s another irony — deep down these students actually admire and respect this teacher. Teachers, stop caring about being popular or “cool”. Next, it’s humor. I agree that if you “try” to be funny, you fail most of the time, so here’s a trick. Use dry humor and don’t smile or laugh. I’m proof it works. (Think of the comedian Steven Wright) For my first four years on the job at my school, I never smiled (even after Christmas). Yet, students were constantly laughing in my class while learning, and I loved it. Even other teachers told me students were using my catch phrases in their classes. One teacher actually made it a rule that students weren’t allowed to act like Mr. McGrew in her classes anymore! Another teacher had a student deliver a presentation entirely “in character” as Mr. McGrew. The best part is, from an outsider’s perspective, I wasn’t even “trying” to be funny. If students didn’t laugh, then it came off as I wasn’t trying to be funny anyway. I refer to it as “drill sergeant” humor, and those with a military background may know exactly what I’m talking about. I believe all skilled instructors have a way of balancing toughness on students with humor.
Most important, pray!
As someone once wrote on a wall hiding from his enemy and what is now a beautiful song….
I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining.
I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it.
I believe in God, even when God is silent.
I still believe.
Thank you
I think it could very well be the titles and possibly the subject matter or some combination. Some of the titles aren’t very eye catching to me a some of the others either due to lack of need for the advice that it offers, which I would argue is probably good. For instance I don’t personally need help with why your humor doesn’t work in the classroom, though I imagine some need that.
Other articles are probably good and helpful but aren’t very catchy sounding in the title like “Why You Must Neverk Confuse Fun with Hard Work” could be something like “Fun =/= Hard Work” or something like that. Those weren’t the only ones but, hopefully that’s helpful.
I love all your articles, even the less popular ones! And I would definitely come to your Facebook Q&A. I would also be interested in articles about handling coworkers with no boundaries. I now have few problems with the kids, but my coworkers are making me miserable.
It’s great to be humble. If you hit 100% with articles, I’d think that’s a dubious following (as in Fiverr Followers)! Even your misses share lessons and insights, so I wouldn’t sweat them…ever.
Some of the articles you listed were my favorites, but they are ones that I would never share with others. Why? Because sharing an article about why you shouldn’t lie to students implies that the person you are sending it to is a liar.
Do we need to read articles like that? Yes! Can I share it with people that need it most? No. Instead, I encourage teachers to subscribe so they get all your posts, even the ones that seem too personal and pointed for me to directly share.
Should you stop writing these important articles and follow the trends based on posts shared? No! Please don’t do that. For the very same reason that it’s a bad idea to change the SCM system based on a whim, you shouldn’t change what you write based on the whims of what people share. The things teachers can’t share with others are the very things that need to be said. And you say them very well!
When I refer other teachers to your website, they have a choice about whether they want to grow as a person and a teacher. Whether they choose to take the opportunity or not is up to them. I suspect that part of your personal growth comes from your writing. I guarantee your writing helps me grow. So don’t worry about the statistics. Just like our students are more than their test scores, the value of your articles is more than sharing statistics.
Please keep writing what you’re inspired to write. If you’re inspired to write it, others needs to hear it. It may not be a shareable topic, but those are often the best!
You are making a big difference in this world. Thank you! Keep being brave!
VERY WELL SAID JEN!! I totally agree…if you force yourself to change how and what you write, it won’t be natural, believable, or appeal to your avid followers. Most of the titles appeal to me, but I relate to them easily…probably why I enjoy reading them and try your advice or strategies! “You do you Micheal!” 🙌🏻
And I would love to see your Facebook Q & A!
I think they are all quite good, but they don’t leave me with the “Oh yes!” feeling that some other articles leave me with.
For instance, at the end of “How to build classroom community…” I was left feeling okay yah competitions are great for PE class (your capture the flag idea) but actually I was concerned with the ‘Whatif they lose as a class?’ Then students start blaming each other and it does the opposite. I think a good example would be in Morning Meeting the activity part where they do an activity together. Your example of capture the flag didn’t resonate with me strongly as a homeroom teacher.
Or “Are you using this power word” I liked the article and the banana analogy but I didn’t connect it with the title when I tried to remember what it was about.
And, the “How to be a classroom management rockstar” I just don’t love the title, sounds too gimmicky.
There’s my two cents. I think they are all great still, just being critical to give valid feedback 😊
Thank you, Michael!
I finished up the school year yesterday and thought I didn’t want to think about work today, but I just read (or reread) every one of these pieces and each filled me with gratitude. I may never master your suggestions, but I do try, and I enjoy life in the classroom–or even class via Zoom–a little more each year. Don’t we have the best job?
Every day I am indebted to you and your good will. Thank you, thank you.
I’ve enjoyed and gleaned from them all…thank you!
Personally, “How To Rid Your Classroom Of Student Interruptions,” saved my sanity, so thank you very much. The ideas presented may not work for everyone all the time, but they do task me with looking at what I am currently doing and considering the best way to improve my classroom management. I will ALWAYS listen to suggestions!
Like others, I’m surprised at some of these two, considering their importance. I remember going back to the article in questions and the on on interruptions several times. Teachers often really need confirmation and reassurance on those topics. Maybe they read them multiple times instead of sharing them!
Certainly I’d be interested in a Q&A session, but what about those of us who aren’t on Facebook?
Whoops, I meant to say, “at some of these.” Wish we could edit our comments directly!
How about how to bond online? It was easier to teach online with kids who knew, respected and loved us, but what a challenge to hook, connect with new kinders through a screen! In class I can read their body language, moods, energy, and give private chats and pep talks. A soft pat on shoulder, smile or wink etc. If we start the year online….help!
I just read every single one of these articles- every single one is a gold mine! Thank you for sharing them again- I don’t know why they initially bombed, because they just got me so fired up to be the best teacher I can be come fall! Thank you!
Hello Michael- Please don’t base the ratings of your articles on their impact with social media. I read every one of your posts and have several of your books. What I DON”t do is share, and I don’t usually comment. First, I don’t have time to subscribe to or to read social media. The most I have time do is to check email. I am busy concentrating on my relationships with family, keeping a home, and balancing my sanity while trying to be the best teacher that I can be. I have learned a great deal from you and your articles, and I share your insights with colleagues. I urge them to subscribe to your blog. I have had many, many AHA! moments while reading your advice, and have implemented most of your strategies in my classroom. They haven’t all worked as you describe, but I will keep trying. Additionally, I have engaged in many different types of PD sessions over the years, and just reading your blog and books have been some of the BEST. Shine On, Michael, and thank you for giving me confidence in my classroom management.
Personally, I think these articles are all great. I know I’ve definitely shared the one about fun and hard work with my colleagues – it’s a more important message now than ever. I often think of the power word when my Kindergarten kids ask me “why?”; even if it’s inconvenient at the time, I know that respecting them with a “because” is respecting them as people, as well as providing good motivation for them to understand and appreciate the class rules.
Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw! Your articles are all valuable and very much appreciated.
I’ve really appreciated your articles and advice. I wouldn’t be concerned about some articles not resonating with everyone. But many of the replies already speak to that.
I love the facebook idea.
As far as future articles, I’m still struggling with students with ADD or ADHD. I’ve seen a few students who simply cannot control their behavior (even though they really want to because it’s costing the friendships), and I would love help dealing with them.
Although I may not share them, I am always reading every article you send out and finding something new to add/change in my classroom. Thank you. I would be interested in the Facebook Q&A option. I have questions right now about how to adapt to the “New Normal” – whatever that is.
Hi Michael
I really liked the Power Word article, thank you. I really didn’t like the building community article because you didn’t tell us enough! It’s just half an article. It would be better to join it to the second half and have it be longer than usual.
I work with middle schoolers with Emotional Disturbance and I have to tell you that your techniques work every time!
Jen
Hi! I would love to see some articles specifically aimed at substitute teachers. I’ve used a number of your strategies throughout the last few years (since discovering your site), but am resigning from my teaching contract and switching to substitute teaching. I find a lot of the strategies require building a rapport with the students, which isn’t always doable when you may only see that class once.
Thanks for all your hard work!
MUST have been a timing thing, Michael!! I appreciated the “because” article and the “preview strategy”. Q & A would be cool, but some of us have summer jobs as well, so I can’t be a part of that, but that’s a great idea!