Much like teachers allowing students to listen to music when their entire focus should be on learning, this one caught me by surprise. Evidently, there are teachers sharing their personal social-media pages with students. A message from a reader clued me in. I was … Read more
Every year, I ask three or four students with natural leadership ability to be part of my leadership team. I meet with them once a week or so. It’s informal, and the meetings don’t last long. I also don’t mind if others join in. … Read more
A student breaks a common classroom rule like forgetting to raise their hand. No big deal. It happens. So you calmly give a warning. And Mount Vesuvius erupts. The student crosses their arms, glares at you, and yells, “But I didn’t do anything!” You … Read more
You have good classroom management. Your students like and respect you. They follow your directions and are attentive while you’re speaking. Yet, the second you look away, even for a brief moment, you lose them and the momentum of your lesson. You’re able to … Read more
Since the advent of the smart phone, interest in acquiring academic skill and knowledge has dwindled. This is undeniably true. Kids spend hour upon hour scrolling hits of dopamine and it’s crushed their desire to learn. Even worse, once their phones are put away … Read more
The importance of having high expectations for students is thrown about so often that it’s lost any real meaning. It rolls off the tongue like a royal decree. “Thou maketh high expectations!” On cue, everyone nods along—Oh yes, yes, so important—while afraid to ask … Read more
The culture of teaching demands that you correct every wrong answer for every student for every assignment AND ensure they understand what they did wrong. It’s on you. This is, of course, time-consuming. It’s also stressful and frustrating given that most students don’t seem … Read more
Here at SCM, we talk a lot about the importance of having a vision of your ideal class. Of seeing your students, like a movie in your mind . . . focused and learning. interacting politely. following rules. performing routines. participating eagerly. working together. … Read more