You can combine two or more classroom routines into one or add steps to an existing routine. Either way, longer routines are better. In fact, they’re a must. Here’s why: Purpose Your students need goals to accomplish. They need targets, lined up one after … Read more
No, not freely. Students should never be allowed to talk socially in class whenever they wish. However, when narrowly defined, giving your students the option to talk with their friends for a minute or two during the school day is a smart idea. Here’s … Read more
In this day and age it’s common—and in some schools and districts even mandated—to allow students to make up anything and everything they want. Not happy with your test grade? No problem, just take it again. Forgot your homework? Turn it in whenever you … Read more
Warning: This article describes a strategy that is controversial. It’s not controversial for us here at SCM. It’s something we’ve been doing and recommending for many years. However, the education establishment is aghast at our approach. For example, the standard advice when a student … Read more
The classroom management secret, as defined in the book of the same name, is this: Creating a classroom your students love being part of combined with an unwavering commitment to accountability. Every one of the hundreds of SCM strategies support this definition as well … Read more
19th Century psychologist and Harvard professor William James believed so strongly that teaching was a mutual process that when his students’ participation waned he would lie down in class as if to take a nap. Perhaps you can relate. Active participation is crucial to … Read more
One of the most common questions I receive is: “How can I allow for free-flowing discussion given the SCM rule about hand raising?” This is a great question because at first glance our classroom management plans don’t allow for open, back-and-forth interaction among students … Read more
As I write this, I’m staying overnight in the Phoenix airport. My flight was diverted mid-flight on the way home to San Diego because a plane was stuck on the finest city’s one and only runway. So 238 of us are trying to get … Read more