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
I recently heard a story from a teacher who confronted a group of students playing in the hallway. When one student denied involvement, she grew angry. She raised her voice and laid into him. She pressured him to admit his wrongdoing and promise not … Read more
First off, I don’t think it’s terribly important how you keep track of consequences. It’s just important that you do. You never want to be caught flatfooted if a parent asks why their child was in time-out last Tuesday. You also want to be … Read more
This week I’d like to share with you a very simple strategy. It’s something you can do every day. It takes less than a minute. But it can improve any area of classroom management your students are struggling with. On the surface, the strategy … Read more
Many of the article requests we receive at SCM center on big problems. Readers want to know how to rein in an out-of-control class. They ask about how to handle defiance and disrespect. They inquire about tantrums, incessant talking, and entire classes that disregard … Read more