Venting to colleagues is normal. It’s healthy. It relieves stress. It puts things into perspective. It reminds you that all teachers have experienced the same frustrations. But if you have a particular student in mind, it’s also fraught with danger. If you’re not careful, … Read more
Last week we talked about how consistent accountability combined with a kindhearted nature results in a nicer, friendlier class. They work together to rid your classroom of incivility and disrespect. They turn what you thought and feared were most disagreeable students into the lovely … Read more
Sometimes it will occur to you right away, within the first week of school. Sometimes it may take a few weeks. But if one day you realize that your class isn’t very nice—to you or to each other—it can be disheartening. It can be … Read more
It’s a question we get surprisingly often. Is it ever okay for students to leave their seat without permission? Can they get up and grab a tissue, for example? Can they turn in work or sharpen a pencil or select a new reading book … Read more
Here at Smart Classroom Management we’ve written a lot about how to make modeling more effective. We’ve covered the importance of being highly detailed. We’ve covered common mistakes and pitfalls. We’ve covered silent modeling, student modeling, and a strategy called “the power of one.” … Read more
There are many potential causes of teacher stress. Test scores, performance reviews, and administrative observations. Meetings, trainings, and other demands on your time. Parents and grading, planning and rainy days, and students far below grade level. All while juggling life outside of school. But … Read more
Sending students to a neighboring classroom for time-out is a popular strategy. It’s popular because it’s easy and the consequence feels substantial. The misbehaving student must pick up their things and exit the room. There is a finality to it. It carries the message … Read more
For the most part, it’s a misnomer. 99.9% of parents love their children. They may have a misguided way of showing it. They may not sign one bit of correspondence from the school. They may be uninvolved, negligent, or worse. They may be preoccupied … Read more