It doesn’t matter whether you have a week left in the school year or a single day, just like any other break, be it winter or spring, you must keep pushing the envelope. This doesn’t mean that you can’t schedule more learning games or … Read more
There are rare times when you do need to send a student to the principal. But only for the following reasons: Violence Threats of violence Weapons Drugs Fighting Continued or severe bullying In other words, anything dangerous. The reason is to protect yourself legally, … Read more
Much like teachers allowing students to listen to music when their entire focus should be on learning, this one caught me by surprise. Evidently, there are teachers sharing their personal social-media pages with students. A message from a reader clued me in. I was … Read more
Here at SCM, we talk a lot about the importance of having a vision of your ideal class. Of seeing your students, like a movie in your mind . . . focused and learning. interacting politely. following rules. performing routines. participating eagerly. working together. … Read more
When a student misbehaves, giving them a reminder or otherwise letting them off the hook can feel like the right thing to do. Because we’re compassionate. Students have a history. Some have been through a lot. Mistakes happen and we want to believe they’ll … Read more
It’s so easy to do. One of your smart, capable, polite, well-groomed, athletic, and/or charismatic students accidentally and ever-so-briefly breaks a class rule, and you smile and give them a gentle reminder. You trust them, after all. It was a mistake, after all. They … Read more
Okay, I won’t bury the lede. When students are doing, stop talking. Most teachers—yes, most—talk students through just about everything. Lining up to leave the room. Getting into groups. Starting work. Walking down the hall. Putting away materials. Playing a learning game. You name … Read more
Stress is crushing teachers, but there are things you can do to alleviate it. In fact, with a comprehensive approach, you can all but eliminate it. It’s a topic I’m hard at work developing here at SCM. (More details to follow.) But one of … Read more