“Why do we have to raise our hands?” “Why can’t we talk in the hallway?” “Why do we have to do it like that.” It can feel, depending on their tone of voice, disrespectful. It can feel as if they’re trying to put you … Read more
There are teachers who seem blessed with natural charisma. The lucky ones. They with the easy charm. The effortlessness vibe. The secret something that causes students to want to please them and behave for them. Must be nice, huh? But the truth is, they’re … Read more
There is a secret to effective teaching very few teachers are aware of. It’s so secret, in fact, that I’ve never heard anyone speak of it. As far as I know, it’s never been written about. It’s never been touted by instructional coaches or … Read more
The questions usually come via email. But I also get them face to face when doing personal coaching. They’re often asked with a hint of incredulity, as if what I write isn’t necessarily how I feel behind closed doors. “Aren’t there some moments that … Read more
There is a phenomenon I see again and again in the classrooms I visit. As attention starts to wane . . . Eyelids droop. Fingers tap. Bodies sigh. . . . the teacher will speed up their instruction. They’ll talk and move faster as … Read more
It’s common to assume that allowing students to talk to whomever they want about whatever they want is a bad thing. That it wastes time. That it gets them off track. That it riles them up and causes misbehavior. But when you decide when … Read more
There was strong reaction to last week’s article, almost all of it good. But it left a few readers confused, even angry, especially those visiting our website for the first time. Because SCM runs counter to many long-held beliefs about classroom management. It upends … Read more
Effective classroom management is as much about what you don’t do. As it is about what you do. The mere absence of bad habits. The omission of certain teacher traits and behaviors. The removal of common but ultimately hurtful strategies . . . Can … Read more