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
Assuming you’re following the SCM approach to transforming difficult students, there are two powerful ways you can encourage them along their journey. But first, it’s important to note that if you stray from these two and instead let your emotions get the better of … Read more
Recently, I watched a second grade teacher walking her class to lunch. She was leading from the front and extremely active. She would stop often to guide her students with her hands, fuss with their lunch boxes, and remind them to stay in line. … Read more
Teachers ask me frequently if minor but annoying student behaviors are enforceable. They give me examples and want my opinion. This happens so often that I thought I would create a list of the most common that are indeed enforceable. A quick note, however: … Read more