Tattling is annoying. It’s disruptive. It’s petty. It wastes time and gets on your nerves. We think of it as something students do to gain attention or get others in trouble. So we wave them off. We send them back to their seat. We … Read more
It’s important that your students know you care about them. It’s important that they know you’re there for them. It’s important that they know you only want what is best for them. This is no small thing. The teacher whose students believe this about … Read more
Here at SCM, we’ve received a number of emails asking how best to handle students who misbehave outside the four walls of the classroom, but while still in your presence. In other words, how do you respond to rule-breaking while walking to lunch, for … Read more
A few years ago, I wrote a guide to eliminating bullying. It has since become a resource for schools and districts across the country. It’s fairly complete, so I’ll try not to cover the same ground here. But there is one thing the guide … Read more
Recently, I received an email from a teacher who was yelled at by a student. Her class had been in the middle of a learning game, and everything was going smoothly. Or so she thought. The students were playing by the rules. They were … Read more
Last week’s article was about how just three words can improve listening. The phrase “in a moment” keeps students from moving on while you’re giving directions. It keeps them rooted in the present and tuned in until the end. This week, we’re going to … Read more
It’s most noticeable when giving directions. And it’s so, so frustrating. You can actually see it happening right in front of you. As soon as your students think they understand what you’re asking of them, they mentally check out. They stop listening. They turn … Read more
One of the challenges of group work is getting students to actively participate in discussions. Providing clear expectations and compelling topics help, to be sure. So does modeling what group learning should look like. But it’s not always enough. Many students struggle with what … Read more