Pulling a student aside for a chat about their misbehavior is a common practice. Intuitively, it would appear to make sense. —Which is why nearly every teacher does it. But the truth is, it’s a mistake that causes more misbehavior, not less. Here’s why: … Read more
Although outside my focus on classroom management, I’ve been asked again and again how I would improve reading scores. So here it goes. For context, reading scores are the lowest they’ve been in decades. Just 33 percent of fourth graders and 31 percent of … Read more
How you present yourself to your students matters. The way you dress, speak, and move has an impact on how they view you and thus how they behave in your class. Here at SCM, we’ve covered each of these areas in previous articles. But … Read more
This is my 700th article. Will there be a party here at SCM? A parade perhaps? Maybe a speech about me, me, and more me and all the people who made me who I am. Yay, aren’t I amazing! Oh, the horror. The truth … Read more
Small things can make a big difference. Tweaks here and there. Changes in perspective, in temperament. Fine-tuning the dial to a clearer, cleaner signal. Improved classroom management doesn’t have to be hard. If it feels hard, if you’re straining and striving but reaping little … Read more
Hello Awesome SCM Readers, On behalf of the team here at SCM, I want to say thank you! Without your support sharing our articles with your friends, colleagues, and followers we wouldn’t still be here 14 years later. Your loyalty allows us to continue … Read more
As part of my personal coaching practice I speak to a lot of teachers. And although many of the classroom management struggles they need help with are diverse and unique to them, there are commonalities. One such commonality is something they’re almost always unaware … Read more
Classroom management has always taken a backseat. Now it’s sitting in the trunk. Since the (official) end of the pandemic, behavior standards have fallen down a mine shaft and have yet to hit bottom. It’s maddening. In recent articles, I’ve covered why this is … Read more