Teaching is getting harder every year. There is no doubt about it. I’ve heard from thousands of teachers since I began this blog seven years ago. I also speak to teachers from around the world as part of my coaching practice. And I still … Read more
A few years ago, I wrote a guide to eliminating bullying. It has since become a resource for schools and districts across the country. It’s fairly complete, so I’ll try not to cover the same ground here. But there is one thing the guide … Read more
Recently, I received an email from a teacher who was yelled at by a student. Her class had been in the middle of a learning game, and everything was going smoothly. Or so she thought. The students were playing by the rules. They were … Read more
Last week’s article was about how just three words can improve listening. The phrase “in a moment” keeps students from moving on while you’re giving directions. It keeps them rooted in the present and tuned in until the end. This week, we’re going to … Read more
It’s most noticeable when giving directions. And it’s so, so frustrating. You can actually see it happening right in front of you. As soon as your students think they understand what you’re asking of them, they mentally check out. They stop listening. They turn … Read more
One of the challenges of group work is getting students to actively participate in discussions. Providing clear expectations and compelling topics help, to be sure. So does modeling what group learning should look like. But it’s not always enough. Many students struggle with what … Read more
The ability to ask for and receive your students’ attention is crucial. It’s crucial because it saves precious learning time. It improves listening and performance. It allows you to give instruction anytime you need to and know that it will be heard and understood. … Read more
A reader emailed SCM last week wondering how to handle six students who were wreaking havoc in his classroom. Every day they were disruptive. They were talkative and silly. They called out during lessons and made inappropriate comments. They played off one another and … Read more