There is a choice you can make today that will insulate you from all school-related drama and politics. It will also transform how your colleagues view you. I must emphasize that it is a liberating choice, a glorious choice, a choice that will improve … Read more
Some teachers seem to revel in drama and making life harder for their colleagues. They love victimhood and high status. They believe that they’re the greatest educator since Anne Sullivan, yet have no idea the destruction they cause to school climate and culture. To … Read more
First, a definition. Although you may hear defenders spout limits justifying its use, narration is any talking by the teacher while students are meant to be performing a task that was asked of them. Typically, it sounds like reminding. But it can also be … Read more
Here at SCM, we believe building influential relationships with students is critical—for many reasons. Not the least of which is that it makes everything, especially managing behavior, easier. Which is why we’ve gone to lengths in our books to break down in the simplest … Read more
Your classroom management plan is set in stone. There is no going back. There is no negotiation, no capitulation, no surrender. It is. And will remain. Your follow through is a promise that comforts, protects, and holds accountable those who interfere with the right … Read more
Sagging pants are a problem in the classroom. They’re a problem because they bring an attitude of rebelliousness. You’ve seen it yourself. When a student sags their pants, they behave differently than when they don’t sag their pants. “But Michael, it’s an expression! It’s … Read more
They seem happy around their classmates. They do their work. They follow directions. But it’s clear they don’t like you. You never get a smile. You rarely get eye contact. When you speak to them they return one-word answers or nothing at all. If … Read more
A culture of leniency has infected our schools from top to bottom, and it’s hurting everyone in its wake. Cheating and disrespect are rampant. Students repeatedly caught fighting are never expelled. Standards are so low it’s nearly impossible to fail. There is virtually zero … Read more