Your lesson ends, the recess bell rings, and you release your students to the playground to let off some steam. But on the way you notice one of your students, call him Anthony, rudely shoving others aside on his way out the door. How … Read more
Many teachers, even seasoned veterans, have a fear of talking to parents about their child’s misbehavior. Generally, they’re afraid of three things: The parent (or parents) will get angry and defensive. The parent will question their competence. The parent will complain and make demands. … Read more
Has this ever happened to you? You’re chatting with a fellow teacher and out of the corner of your eye you notice one of your students rapidly approaching. But instead of waiting for you to end your conversation, the student enters into your personal … Read more
When you hear a teacher shushing students, it’s a good sign things aren’t going well. Behind tight shoulders, tired eyes, and index finger poised over puckered lips, you’ll find a teacher struggling to keep his or her head above water. Shushing students to quiet … Read more
‘Through the rainstorm came sanctuary, and I felt my spirit fly’ ~Seal, Love’s Divine If you’re like most teachers, you don’t keep your students in time-out long enough. For a majority of students, regardless of grade level, five or ten minutes won’t cut it. … Read more
One of the keys to effective classroom management is to build relationships with students. Making personal connections–through humor, kindness, likeability, and more–is a powerful way to influence behavior. It can also be astonishingly rewarding. The give-and-take with students, the trusting rapport, the shared affection–these … Read more
If you could schedule one classroom party a week and improve classroom management, would you do it? Before you answer yes, you should know that the kind of party I’m referring to is not of the celebratory variety. You’re not going to order pizza … Read more
If you’re like most teachers, two or three difficult students take up most of your time. On the days when they’re absent, or pulled from your class, everything goes smoothly. Teaching is more fun. You’re more relaxed. And you can cruise through your lessons … Read more