Eye rolls, deep sighs, melodramatic body language . . . They’re responses to teacher requests or reminders (i.e. “Please put your backpack away.”) that aren’t quite disrespectful. But darn close. Sometimes they’re accompanied by a sarcastic “Sorry!” or “Oh my gosh!” They’re delivered indirectly … Read more
You offer encouragement. You give reminders. You supply wisdom and inspiration you hope will make an impact. But your words fall on deaf ears. Nothing you say to your most challenging students seems to make a difference. They continue to misbehave, ignore your advice, … 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
If you’re a regular reader of SCM, then you know how I feel about rewarding students in exchange for good (i.e. expected) behavior. A do-this-and-get-that approach to classroom management is damaging to kids. It snuffs out intrinsic motivation and turns the student-teacher relationship into … Read more
Do you ever get the feeling your students aren’t hearing a word you say? They may be quiet. They may be looking at you. But you know they’re not actually listening. Maybe it’s the blank expressions. Maybe it’s the sighs and yawns. Maybe it’s … Read more
One of the biggest reasons difficult students misbehave is because they’re often treated with the expectation that they will. Teachers tend to hover near them. They’re frequently pulled aside for reminders, lectures, and pep-talks. They’re rewarded inexplicably, praised effusively, and spoken to differently than … 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