This past week, I watched the first episode of A&E’s Undercover High. To the uninitiated, the show follows seven young adults who go undercover in an American high school. One of the things that struck me, among many, was the ubiquity of cell phone … Read more
More and more teachers are allowing students to listen to music in class. Perhaps not during direct instruction. But once students are let go to work independently, in go the earbuds. It’s odd to me, to be honest, that anyone would think this is … Read more
This is my 700th article. Will there be a party here at SCM? A parade perhaps? Maybe a speech about me, me, and more me and all the people who made me who I am. Yay, aren’t I amazing! Oh, the horror. The truth … Read more
The lowly fist bump, offered as students file out of your classroom, is arguably the easiest way to build rapport. It’s also super effective. Here’s why: It cleans the slate. No matter what happens during class, no matter how strongly you challenge your students … Read more
Okay, so there is a strategy I’ve been using every first day of school that I can remember. I’ve never written about it. But lately I’ve been sharing it with my coaching clients. It seems to resonate with them. As I explain it, I … Read more
Word on the street is that many teachers are surprised by the misbehavior they’re seeing now that more and more students are returning to school. They shouldn’t be. After all, the students you saw online aren’t the same ones you’re seeing in person. Oh, … Read more
In this age of distraction . . . Of smartphones and Instagram. Of texting and Snapchat. Of clickbait and information overload. . . . being able to focus on one thing for an extended period of time is a superpower. It gives you a … Read more