The title of this article comes straight from a reader’s question. It assumes that taking responsibility is something that you, the teacher, must secure from the misbehaving student. It assumes that it’s something the student must verbalize to you. It isn’t. In fact, if … 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
Here at Smart Classroom Management we hear from teachers and administrators from all four corners of the globe. And one of the more perplexing trends in classroom management is to give students choices instead of consequences. For example: Let’s say a student named Jason … Read more
Here at Smart Classroom Management we talk a lot about the importance of building rapport. It’s your relationship with students, after all, that in large part determines your effectiveness in curbing misbehavior. It’s your likability, good humor, and pleasant demeanor that causes them to … Read more
While observing your class gather materials for a science experiment, you notice a student kicking the heels of the boy in front of them. But because you’re in the good habit of letting misbehavior play out, you decide to watch a bit longer before … Read more
There is a compulsion among teachers to react too quickly to misbehavior. As soon as it shows up on their radar, they’re on it in a flash, making judgments and decisions before fully understanding what it is. Teachers with this compulsion tend to take … Read more
There are times when you just want to give a student a piece of your mind, when your sense of justice causes a welling up of fiery indignation. Your eyes narrow. Your heart beats faster. Steam billows from your ears. You lock in on … Read more
‘Through the rainstorm came sanctuary, and I felt my spirit fly’ ~Seal, Love’s Divine If you’re like most teachers, you don’t keep your students in time-out long enough. For a majority of students, regardless of grade level, five or ten minutes won’t cut it. … Read more