Listening is a topic we return to again and again here at SCM. Because it’s that important. The difference in learning and behavior between a class that listens well and one that doesn’t is monumental. It’s also an area many teachers struggle with, as … Read more
After giving directions, it’s common for teachers to ask, “Are there any questions?” Which isn’t a bad idea, per se, especially if the teacher follows with an extended pause. After all, it’s good practice to allow students a moment or two to ponder the … Read more
Transitions are among the most perilous times of the day. The frenetic movement, the close interaction, the loud voices and sense of freedom . . . All conspire to increase the likelihood of misbehavior. Transitions can also waste precious learning time, bring tension and … Read more
Modeling can be a uniquely powerful strategy. Which is why the most effective teachers rely on it more than any other method. Done correctly, your students will emulate anything and everything you model with remarkable accuracy. The key is to model in such a … Read more
Time away from you, from their friends, and from the daily routine has a way of wiping the slate clean. It has a way of distancing and repositioning. It has a way of changing perspectives, healing wounds, and renewing spirits. Students return from extended … Read more
Here at Smart Classroom Management we’d like to say thank you. We’d like to say thank you to you, our loyal readers. It’s our passion to provide you with the simplest, most effective classroom management advice you can find anywhere. But we could never … Read more
Here at Smart Classroom Management we talk a lot about the importance of building rapport. It’s your relationship with students, after all, that in large part determines your effectiveness in curbing misbehavior. It’s your likability, good humor, and pleasant demeanor that causes them to … Read more
Like most caring teachers, it’s only natural to be drawn to a crying child. It’s only natural to kneel down, put a hand on their shoulder, and try to get to the bottom of why they’re upset. It’s only natural to want to make … Read more