Difficult students behave the way they do because somewhere along the line the ball was dropped. Standards were lowered. Rules were ignored. Excuses were made. Relationships were broken—or were never developed to begin with. But fate has intervened. And it has been left to … Read more
So you have a new student this year who is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s as if he (or she) has never been to school before. He is needy, highly emotional, and aggravating to other students. He misbehaves when you turn your back. … Read more
Teachers who use time-out as a consequence but don’t know the details of how to carry it out are bound for failure. Less obvious, but equally important, is the knowledge of its purpose. You see, it’s the why of time-out—its ethics, benefits, and lessons—that … Read more
Glaring, threatening, yelling, scolding, browbeating, pressuring, overbearing . . . few teachers would admit to using intimidation as a classroom management method, even to themselves. But many do. Perhaps not all the time, mind you. Perhaps only in weak moments or in short bursts … Read more
Hoping to head misbehavior off before it starts, most teachers try to be proactive with difficult students. Even before the bell rings on the first day of school, they peruse their new roster looking for those few whose reputation precedes them. They chat up … Read more
When students aren’t held accountable for misbehavior, they take advantage of it. They become brazen and disrespectful. They affect a cool, uncaring attitude. They take their sweet time responding to instruction. And no matter how hard the teacher tries to stay positive, no matter … Read more
Anything you ask your students to do repeatedly should be made into a routine. For example, whenever your students enter your classroom, transition from one activity to the next, or line up for recess, they should do so in the same efficient manner. The … Read more
The first day of school is about setting the tone. It’s about focusing on the first wee little steps leading to the most memorable school year your students have ever had. There is no room for weak first impressions, no room for indecisiveness, and … Read more