The student stands wordlessly, eyes averted, still smarting from yet another backslide as the earnest teacher softens the blows of the student’s many transgressions. Listing positive attributes, offering reassurances, buoying spirits, the teacher seeks the slightest spark of understanding, the slightest recognition indicating that … Read more
One reason many teachers struggle with classroom management is because they confuse motivation and accountability. Although related, they are two separate areas of classroom management. To be effective, they must remain separate. Teachers run into trouble when their attempts to motivate students to behave … Read more
Small, seemingly insignificant behaviors in September will in almost every circumstance multiply into major disruptions down the road. A single incident of hushed side-talking during a lesson, for example, may be hardly noticeable the first couple weeks of the school year, but by November … Read more
If you were to have only one goal this coming school year, make it that your students enjoy being in your classroom. Because no strategy, technique, or method in the world works as well to motivate students to behave, attend during lessons, and focus … Read more
No matter what you hear from your colleagues, no matter how far they say they’ve gotten into the curriculum, or how they’re already working in groups or rotating students through centers, avoid the temptation to join them. Avoid rushing to catch up. Avoid pushing … Read more
It can sneak up on you quickly. Your students, after all, are eager to please. They want to do well. Many are determined to turn over a new leaf, to put the past in the past and start afresh. Every new year of school … Read more
You have one opportunity to start your school year on the right classroom management foot, one shot to propel your first day of school into the best learning experience your students have ever had. You can’t afford to leave it to chance. You can’t … Read more
A sharp, well-maintained classroom sends so many wonderful and powerful messages to students—from an expectation of excellence to personal pride in their work habits. It’s a slam-dunk, surefire, easy way to improve behavior in your classroom. Yet, remarkably, classroom organization is an area typically … Read more