The culture of teaching says that you must support, support, support. You must do more, give more, talk more. So when you notice a student who you know has the ability just sitting there, producing zero work, you get nervous. You pace, tap your … Read more
It’s a trend, and not just on Pinterest and Instagram. Perfect, charming, colorful, systematically designed classrooms are everywhere it seems. Looking more like fashionable boutiques than places of learning, many are truly impressive. They’re also a bad idea. Here’s why: Pressure When you become … Read more
Enforcing consequences is a critical part of managing your classroom. But it’s a small part. It’s a mere piece of a larger tapestry that is falling by the wayside due to the pandemic. You see, there has been so much negativity in our schools … Read more
They’re a subset of students at every school and in nearly every classroom. The cool kids. They with the fashion sense, the pulse of popular culture, the presence that effortlessly draws others into their sphere. Okay, all fine and good. But here’s the problem: … Read more
Amid the pandemic, we’re seeing more and more students shutting down. Refusing to work. Rarely speaking. Staring off in the distance. Often hiding under a hoodie or hair shading their eyes. They need help. But the way most teachers (and counselors) engage these struggling … Read more
What could possibly be wrong with praising students for being kind? After all, altruism is something you want to encourage, right? You want to create a classroom where doing for others is common practice. It makes everything easier and more pleasant. So when you … Read more
If you take misbehavior personally, then you’re weakening your ability to manage your classroom. You’re also: Creating stress. Building resentment. Increasing the odds you’ll lash out at your students. But you’re not alone. Scores of teachers struggle with this. So what to do about … Read more
Consistency is the heart and soul of effective classroom management. Without it, nothing works as it should. And everything gets worse over time. Behavior Respect Work habits They continue to deteriorate until and unless you start following through. But how? That’s the big question. … Read more