What does it matter? Who cares if students wear their pants below their waist or show more skin than you’re comfortable with? As long as it doesn’t interfere with your teaching, what’s the big deal? It’s a style, a fashion statement. It allows them … Read more
According to a National Center for Education Statistics survey, 56 percent of school leaders believe the pandemic has led to an increase of student misbehavior. And they’re not even in the classroom. Ask teachers the same question and that percentage is likely to go … Read more
A student comes to you and begs for a second chance. They swear that from now on things will be different. They just need you to fix this one little grade, ignore their latest wee misbehavior, let them redo the test, essay, or project. … Read more
A problem with education today is that many (many) teachers make their lessons too complex. The result is that students become . . . Bored Disengaged Unmotivated Antsy Disobedient Again and again, I observe teachers taking basic concepts and twisting them into medieval labyrinths … Read more
There is a classroom management strategy called “the five questions” that a number of school districts have adopted. I’ve been asked about it several times recently so thought I should cover it. The way it works is that when a student misbehaves and breaks … Read more
The lowly fist bump, offered as students file out of your classroom, is arguably the easiest way to build rapport. It’s also super effective. Here’s why: It cleans the slate. No matter what happens during class, no matter how strongly you challenge your students … Read more
There are two reasons why students continue to misbehave in the classroom. The boundary lines are ill-defined. Enforcement is inconsistent. Let’s take these one at a time. By nature, children as young as one and all the way up until adulthood will push and … Read more
I’m often asked what to do when your class isn’t badly behaved, but still disruptive. In other words, as a group they tend to be excitable and talkative. Every transition and activity you have to settle and quiet them down. It’s a common question … Read more