Two things happen the third week of school that conspire to increase misbehavior. Some teachers never recover from it. The first is that the honeymoon ends. Students become more comfortable. Initial enthusiasm wanes. Self-motivation dissipates. They fall back into their old ways. The second … Read more
I started SCM in 2009. Since then I’ve heard every possible reason why you can’t be good at classroom management. Although some circumstances are more challenging than others, none hold water. The truth is, you can have the class you want. I’ve done it … Read more
At the end of every school year we post a report card for teachers. The purpose is to assess the degree you were able to follow the principles of Smart Classroom Management. It takes just a few minutes to fill out, but the experience … Read more
There is a moment when classroom behavior always gets worse. It is a moment that is entirely controlled by the teacher. Yet, few teachers are aware of it. The moment consists of something the teacher does—or, more accurately, doesn’t do. It also typically gets … Read more
Many teachers have an out-of-control class and don’t realize it. Maybe it’s because they’ve gotten so used to chaos and disrespect that they think it’s normal. Maybe they’ve never actually observed a polite, well-behaved class before. Maybe no one has told them the hard … Read more
There is one thing nearly every teacher does that skyrockets stress. You’re probably doing it too. Because it comes naturally. It makes sense. It feels right. Plus, you see every other teacher doing it. So what is it? It’s trying to convince students to … Read more
In ways subtle but clear, scores of teachers are communicating to their students every day that they can’t do it. They don’t measure up. They’re not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. Most troubling, these teachers have no idea they’re doing this. In … Read more
The essential ingredient of a well-behaved class is your belief that it’s possible. Because as soon as you accept the myriad reasons why it can’t be done, which bombard teachers like West Texas hail, you’ve sealed your fate. You’ll never have the classroom you … Read more