Glaring, threatening, yelling, scolding, browbeating, pressuring, overbearing . . . few teachers would admit to using intimidation as a classroom management method, even to themselves. But many do. Perhaps not all the time, mind you. Perhaps only in weak moments or in short bursts … Read more
So you’ve got this great lesson. You’re excited, worked up, really feeling it. Everything is groovy, near perfect. You’re telling this cool story and your students are rapt—leaning forward, eyeballs glued to your every move. It’s a special moment. And so much fun. This … Read more
There is a compulsion among teachers to react too quickly to misbehavior. As soon as it shows up on their radar, they’re on it in a flash, making judgments and decisions before fully understanding what it is. Teachers with this compulsion tend to take … Read more
Your temperament has a strong impact on student behavior. If you have a tendency to become tense, stressed, or uptight around your students, then they’re far more likely to misbehave. Because a tightly wound teacher translates to a tension-filled classroom—the kind of tension visitors … Read more
We know about the public cases, those gossiped about so offhandedly—the homeless student, the one whose mother is in jail, the two with drug dealing fathers no longer around. But what of the others? What of the secrets hidden and locked away, keys all … Read more
You don’t always have to make big, dramatic changes to see classroom management improvement. Sometimes it can be a slight adjustment. A small change in the way you do things, in how you speak, move, or relate to students, can make a big difference. … Read more
There is a common misconception that to be most effective at classroom management you have to be controlling. The thinking is that the more you’re on of top of your students, the more you’re directing their actions and decisions, the more effective you’ll be. … 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