Although outside my focus on classroom management, I’ve been asked again and again how I would improve reading scores. So here it goes. For context, reading scores are the lowest they’ve been in decades. Just 33 percent of fourth graders and 31 percent of … Read more
It’s in vogue these days to bring the victim of bullying and their tormentor together for a guided chitchat. Depending on the “practice” the teacher uses, the conversation can proceed a few different ways. I won’t bore you with the various methodologies, but the … Read more
There is a choice you can make today that will insulate you from all school-related drama and politics. It will also transform how your colleagues view you. I must emphasize that it is a liberating choice, a glorious choice, a choice that will improve … Read more
Some teachers seem to revel in drama and making life harder for their colleagues. They love victimhood and high status. They believe that they’re the greatest educator since Anne Sullivan, yet have no idea the destruction they cause to school climate and culture. To … Read more
First, a definition. Although you may hear defenders spout limits justifying its use, narration is any talking by the teacher while students are meant to be performing a task that was asked of them. Typically, it sounds like reminding. But it can also be … Read more
Here at SCM, we believe building influential relationships with students is critical—for many reasons. Not the least of which is that it makes everything, especially managing behavior, easier. Which is why we’ve gone to lengths in our books to break down in the simplest … Read more
Your classroom management plan is set in stone. There is no going back. There is no negotiation, no capitulation, no surrender. It is. And will remain. Your follow through is a promise that comforts, protects, and holds accountable those who interfere with the right … Read more
Teachers giving grades students haven’t earned is rampant, staggering in its increasing frequency. Why is this happening? A few reasons. First, the pandemic and accompanying learning loss has added pressure on teachers to get students caught up. This has caused the standards for earning … Read more