The easiest way to improve classroom behavior is one few teachers ever consider. It’s at once blatantly obvious and far off the grid. You won’t find it in modern professional books and are unlikely to hear about it at conferences. Yet, it’s as plain … Read more
Reflection forms have been around forever. And at first glance, they appear to be a good idea. Dig a little deeper, though, and they tell a different story. The way they work is that when a student is sent to time-out, they’re handed a … Read more
Are you having trouble getting your students engaged in quality discussions? You’re not alone. We frequently hear from teachers who struggle in this area. Given the growing emphasis on student talk, this is no small problem. Your students’ ability to communicate has suddenly become … Read more
So you have this student. Let’s call her Brittany. And Brittany frustrates you to no end. Because despite holding her accountable, she continues to break the same rule over and over. Oh, she may hold off for a few days, a week perhaps, but … Read more
You praise. You encourage. You pep-talk, demand, and implore. But nothing seems to change. Trying and failing to motivate unmotivated students is a common frustration among teachers. It’s a frustration with seemingly no real answers beyond the same old, same old. Until today. Because … Read more
There is nothing wrong with a class clown. In fact, students gifted with a clever sense of humor can be a wonderful asset to your classroom. They can be another ingredient in the mix that helps you create a learning environment students love being … Read more
Here at SCM we maintain a long list of article requests. We don’t, however, typically choose from the top of that list. The way it works is that when we receive a request, we first check to see if anyone has made a similar … Read more
Requiring students to raise their hand before speaking is good classroom management practice. You can’t very well control the flow of learning and discussion while being interrupted every few minutes. Inspiration will sag. Trains of thought will vanish. Boredom and inattentiveness will pervade your … Read more