Most teachers don’t keep their students in time-out long enough. Five to ten minutes seems to be the norm, but to be most effective, your students need to sit and reflect on their misbehavior for at least fifteen minutes. Another common mistake is deciding … Read more
As a third consequence I recommend a letter home to parents. If you haven’t read my first article on the topic, which also includes a sample letter for download, you can find the link above. In this article I clear up some misconceptions, add … 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
Of all the responsibilities you have on the first day of school, teaching your classroom management plan is número uno in importance. After all, your success as a teacher hinges on your ability to manage your classroom. That’s just the way it is. Teachers … Read more
If you’re like most teachers, you stray from your classroom management plan. Oh, your intentions are good. You really do want to follow it to the letter. But ultimately you don’t. Situations keep getting in the way. Like, for example, when one of your … Read more
It’s easy to stick with your classroom management plan the first few weeks of the school year. You’re eager to make a fresh start, and your students are on their best behavior. By week three, you’re cruising. But then… slowly, imperceptibly, things start becoming routine, … Read more
In his book, Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys To Creativity, Hugh MacLeod points out that Abraham Lincoln penned the Gettysburg Address on borrowed stationary. Hemingway wrote with a simple fountain pen. Van Gogh rarely used more than six colors on his palate. And … Read more
When a teacher seeks help in handling a difficult student, typically one of the first things recommended is a behavior contract. Behavior contracts are popular because they give teachers a definite plan for improving behavior. And where there is a plan, there is hope. … Read more