Whenever your students are performing a routine, you must observe them closely. There are three reasons for this: 1. Knowing that you’re watching keeps them on track. 2. It’s the only way to confirm expectations are being fulfilled. 3. It allows you to enforce … Read more
Here at SCM, we get many questions about the letter-home consequence. For the uninitiated, a letter home to parents can be part of the third consequence of the elementary classroom management plan that we recommend. The key word is ‘can.’ You see, it’s an … Read more
Here at SCM we love shortcuts. We love saving time, lowering stress, and simplifying everything so we can enjoy all that is fun and rewarding about teaching. We also love efficiency, clarity, and honesty. It’s this last one, honesty, that we’re going to talk … Read more
One reason many teachers struggle with misbehavior, disrespect, and the like is because they’re not strong leaders. In other words, they lack . . . Presence Confidence Boldness Courage They tend to have an external locus of control and difficulty grasping that they alone … Read more
Expect pushback and challenges to your authority during the first few weeks of school, especially if you teach in an exceptionally challenging environment. It’s normal, and it’s okay. You see, for now your students aren’t who they really are (or who they can become). … Read more
The SCM approach is built on simplicity. Although it takes commitment, and there is a fair amount to learn, anyone can do it. Short or tall, new hire or veteran, follow SCM like a paint-by-numbers Hokusai and you can create a thing of beauty. … Read more
It’s a common question here at SCM. Should you teach your classroom management plan immediately on the first day of school or wait and ease into it? Intuitively, it makes sense to wait. Perhaps a bonding activity or getting-to-know-you game is a better choice. … Read more
The lie isn’t that childhood trauma doesn’t exist. Of course it does. Some of our students have been abused and neglected. Others have witnessed violence, criminality, drug use, and indescribable family strife. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Adverse childhood experiences can have … Read more