There is a common misconception that effective classroom management means silence. It means rigidness and tight restriction. It means backs straight and eyes forward. Hour after hour. And while there are teachers who try to run their classroom this way, or think they should, … Read more
Recently, I got a new group of students for a high school class I was teaching. Then a few days later, I came down with the flu. It was awful. It took me three weeks to shake and I missed more than a week … Read more
Make no mistake. Participating in class discussions is important, for all students. It’s important for their academic development. It’s important for their communication skills. It’s important for their confidence and enjoyment of school. But it’s also one of the most misunderstood areas of teaching. … Read more
Keeping a calm, unruffled temperament makes classroom management easier. It effectively removes excitability, which is a major cause of misbehavior. It makes you more likable and worthy of trust. It gives you leadership presence and allows you to build effortless rapport. But for many … Read more
Excitability is a major cause of misbehavior. Which is why it is present in virtually every classroom where the teacher is struggling. You can feel it the moment you enter the room. There is an unmistakable buzz, a live wire of tension, a jitter … Read more
Do you have two or three students with their hands up all the time . . . While the rest of your class sits on theirs? Not good. Because it’s a clear sign that a majority of your students don’t feel safe enough to … Read more
So the lesson finished earlier than you expected. And now you have ten minutes to fill. Ten. Minutes. For many teachers, the very thought can make them break out in hives. Because, even when you have a reliable activity you can pull out at … Read more
“Why do we have to raise our hand?” “Why can’t we talk while we’re working?” “Why do we have to walk in line?” The questions may be different, but they’re all meant to challenge your methods. They’re meant to challenge your decisions, your motives, … Read more