Here at SCM, we’ve talked a lot about the importance of making your praise worthy. That is, praise that is based on true accomplishment. —Which can be defined as achievement, excellence, or effort beyond what is commonly expected. In this way, we support the … Read more
I’m often asked what if anything has changed during my 27 years of teaching. There are a few things, for sure. The students are considerably less independent to begin the school year. Parents are far more protective. And we teachers don’t have as much … Read more
I may disappoint some people with what I’m about to write. But first let me back up a bit. For the past several years, managing students with ADHD has been near the top of the list of SCM reader requests. And it’s something I’ve … Read more
Bringing more humor to your classroom can have a strong impact on classroom management. Because it makes building rapport and influence easier. It improves listening and the desire to pay attention. It draws students to you, makes you more likable, and helps create an … Read more
There is a strategy that builds strong, behavior-influencing rapport with virtually any student. Guarded, angry, painfully shy, behaviorally difficult . . . It works with even the most challenging students. It doesn’t take much time or forethought to put into practice. But it can … Read more
So I ran this experiment. And enough time has passed that I can now share it with you. Here’s what happened: I was halfway through the semester with a class I really enjoyed. I had prepared them well to start the year by employing … Read more
This past week, I watched the first episode of A&E’s Undercover High. To the uninitiated, the show follows seven young adults who go undercover in an American high school. One of the things that struck me, among many, was the ubiquity of cell phone … Read more
There is a secret a small cadre of teachers share that can drastically improve your class. It works in all situations and grade levels. It’s simple and straightforward. It causes a giant leap in progress—from behavior and listening to work habits and attentiveness. It’s … Read more