Most teachers talk too loud. They do this for three reasons: It shows they really mean it. It gives them more respect. Students listen better. None, however, are true. In fact, raising your voice causes the opposite. When you bellow out directions, your students don’t … Read more
Over the past decade the focus of education has shifted more and more toward problems rather than solutions. We’re now conditioned to point to every challenge and say, “See, see, see?!” Add to it the proliferation of official acronyms, designations, diagnoses, and buzzwords—and their … Read more
There is a secret to classroom management no one talks about. Most have never heard of it. Yet, it’s remarkably effective. It takes discipline. But it’s there for the taking. It’s simple, direct, and works for every teacher at every grade level. This secret … Read more
Getting students to focus longer than a TikTok video is a bigger challenge now than ever before. But there is a way. It’s a five-step strategy that actually trains students to concentrate for extended periods of time. Applied daily, it will dramatically expand the … Read more
The typical advice is that time-out should mirror in minutes the age of your students. So, for example, if a student is eight years old, then time-out should be eight minutes long. It’s also common to hear recommendations for even shorter time periods. Two … Read more
One of the biggest mistakes a teacher can make is to have an emotional reaction to misbehavior. This can play out in a number of ways. Glaring Lecturing Arguing Berating Brooding Grumbling Threatening Scowling Pacing Using sarcasm In other words, you show displeasure in … Read more
It’s common for teachers to ask students to apologize for their misbehavior. It makes sense. Students should offer amends for their actions. The very act of saying sorry—which is difficult for many people—can provide a lot of satisfaction. It can feel as if it … Read more
You notice movement out of the corner of your eye. You hear but don’t see a disruption. You sense misbehavior happening behind your back. But you don’t know who did it. If you’re like most teachers, you spin around and glare. You ask who … Read more