Note: This week’s YouTube video, The Secret to a Well-Behaved Class, is an important one that applies to all classrooms (K-12). It’s a must watch. Now, on with today’s article: We’re down to a week or so before holiday vacation, which means we’re nearing the … Read more
Public education is a mess. Toxic coddling has destroyed it. There is no “rigor” or accountability. Standards are staggeringly low and students have few boundaries. If you speak up on campus, you’re either ignored or gaslighted. Every approved and accepted method of classroom management … Read more
It’s not because it’s unnatural to you. It’s not because of your age, lack of experience, or personality. It’s not because of where you work or how many challenging students are on your roster. The reason you’re bad at classroom management is because you … Read more
“You’re picking on my child.” “I don’t agree with your consequences.” “You may not put my son in time-out.” Perhaps you’ve heard these and other similar sentiments from parents who resist your accountability approach to classroom management. The reason is that the sun rises … Read more
You can combine two or more classroom routines into one or add steps to an existing routine. Either way, longer routines are better. In fact, they’re a must. Here’s why: Purpose Your students need goals to accomplish. They need targets, lined up one after … Read more
No, not freely. Students should never be allowed to talk socially in class whenever they wish. However, when narrowly defined, giving your students the option to talk with their friends for a minute or two during the school day is a smart idea. Here’s … Read more
In this day and age it’s common—and in some schools and districts even mandated—to allow students to make up anything and everything they want. Not happy with your test grade? No problem, just take it again. Forgot your homework? Turn it in whenever you … Read more
Warning: This article describes a strategy that is controversial. It’s not controversial for us here at SCM. It’s something we’ve been doing and recommending for many years. However, the education establishment is aghast at our approach. For example, the standard advice when a student … Read more