Hoping to head misbehavior off before it starts, most teachers try to be proactive with difficult students. Even before the bell rings on the first day of school, they peruse their new roster looking for those few whose reputation precedes them. They chat up … Read more
The first day of school is about setting the tone. It’s about focusing on the first wee little steps leading to the most memorable school year your students have ever had. There is no room for weak first impressions, no room for indecisiveness, and … Read more
Whether starting over from scratch or opening a new school year, many teachers come on too strong when teaching classroom management. Demanding and forewarning, growling and glaring. Even the mildest-mannered teachers can become overbearing when it comes to laying down the law in the … Read more
Your new students will likely be on their best behavior for the first few days of school. But by the second week, you and your classroom management plan will be tested. After all, your students don’t really know you. Maybe you’ll be like the … Read more
If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. ~Colin Powell Classroom procedures are critical to classroom management success. They save loads time and energy, reduce stress and misbehavior, and make your teaching life a lot … Read more
You’ve likely heard the oft-repeated recommendation that teachers should never smile the first three months of the school year. The idea being that if you show kindness toward your students, they’ll see it as a weakness and take advantage of you. Hogwash. Although it’s … Read more
There is a common mistake teachers make on the first day of school that sets in motion bad student habits and misbehaviors that can last the rest of the school year. That’s a big statement, I know. But this one particular mistake will be … Read more
During the first few weeks of a new school year, I try to identify students with natural leadership ability. Typically, two or three strong leaders will emerge from a class of thirty. My only criterion is that the other students look up to them. … Read more