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
Many teachers make the mistake of trying to talk their students through each moment of the school day. The idea being that if a teacher provides continual guidance–through reminding, cajoling, and micromanaging–then he or she will be more effective. It makes sense. But it … Read more
Lecturing individual students is a common classroom management practice—just another tool in a teacher’s tool belt. But it’s a colossal mistake, born of frustration, that does nothing to curb unwanted behavior beyond several minutes. The reason? When you lecture individual students, it’s done out … Read more
Maybe it’s the weather. Or a full moon. Or maybe a holiday is around the corner. Whatever it is, there are times when your class just can’t seem to get it together. They’re unfocused, squirrelly, prone to misbehavior. And no matter what you do, … Read more