Before every shot, professional golfers follow a very specific procedure, unique to them, called a pre-shot routine. From the moment they pull a club out of their bag to the moment they take their swing, they follow the exact same set of movements. Like … Read more
A reader posted a question this week asking what to do if a student, in this case a kindergartner, crawled on the floor and under tables after being sent to time-out. Playing, straying, and not sitting quietly in time-out can happen regardless of grade … Read more
When confronted with a difficult class—whether a new class in the beginning of a school year, a class you’ve had for a while and lost control of, or one you see once a day in your subject area—the best thing you can do is … Read more
What do you do when your students perform an everyday procedure, like entering the classroom, in a way that doesn’t meet your expectations? How do you respond when they appear to ignore your instructions about how you want a classroom procedure completed? Less effective … Read more
Most teachers talk to difficult students—those with a proclivity for misbehavior—way too often. If you’re spending more time on these students than others, it’s a sign you’re not curbing their behavior. It’s also not fair to the rest of your class. There is a … Read more
I’d like to share with you a uniquely powerful classroom management strategy, one that, when used correctly, stands above the rest. This particular strategy never fails to make an impression and can be used as often as you wish. And the best part is, … Read more
Receiving complaints from parents can be stressful and make you lose confidence in yourself, especially if they’re leaked to other parents or fellow teachers. Worse yet is when a parent goes over your head and complains to your principal. The best way to handle … Read more
John Wooden is considered the greatest coach in college basketball history. His UCLA teams of the 50s, 60s, and 70s produced 10 national championships, 38 consecutive NCAA tournament wins, and a remarkable 88-game winning streak. No other coach comes close to these accomplishments. Mr. … Read more