A friend emailed me this week to share a story about his son’s first week of school. Evidently some of his classmates were misbehaving, and in response the teacher kept the entire class in for recess. This isn’t an unusual strategy. We often hear … Read more
It’s a popular strategy. You notice two students talking and giggling during a lesson, for example. So you move into their field of vision and give them “the look.” You deliver the old evil eye. You communicate with your piercing stare and tight lips … Read more
One of the many benefits of exceptional classroom management is that it saves time. With far fewer disruptions, you’re free to focus on student learning. You’re free to teach and inspire and build influential relationships. You’re free to recede into the background just to … Read more
The parents don’t care. You work in a tough neighborhood. You get no support from administration. Your students have no accountability at home. You have Chase or Karla or Anthony in your class this year. You had a sub yesterday. Your class size is … Read more
It’s not often I’m surprised by an email. But a couple years ago I received one from a teacher who wouldn’t hold students accountable unless he had what he described as “proof.” Unless he had witnesses to back him up, or an outright admission … Read more
Getting a bad report from your substitute can be especially frustrating. You weren’t there. You didn’t witness the misbehavior. It shouldn’t be your responsibility. But you know you can’t just let it slide. Otherwise, it will be worse the next time and may even … Read more
Most teachers who have lost control of their class aren’t even aware of it. After all, it’s not as if their students are throwing spit wads at each other. They’re not out of their seats during lessons. They’re not yelling and cursing and running … Read more
For many teachers, effective classroom management brings to mind an image of a silent, somber environment. They hear the term and think . . . restricting, confining, constraining. They think it means to be a rigid disciplinarian who forces students to behave against their … Read more