Teachers ask me frequently if minor but annoying student behaviors are enforceable. They give me examples and want my opinion. This happens so often that I thought I would create a list of the most common that are indeed enforceable. A quick note, however: … Read more
If accountability isn’t working in your classroom, whether individually or class wide, the problem is that you have an area of weakness. The solution is to identify the weakness and correct it. Remember, effective classroom management is knowledge based. Apply SCM strategies as described … Read more
Many years ago I read The Adventures of Robin Hood aloud to my 5th grade class. One day in the middle of teaching an unrelated lesson a student yelled out “Hey, when are we gonna read Peter Pan?” It was funny. The entire class … Read more
At first glance, the answer just might be yes. It makes sense, right? A student misbehaves and you give them a hand signal letting them know which rule was broken and the consequence. The benefits are: It’s quiet. It’s quick. It’s discreet. It’s respectful. … Read more
Understanding time-out, its purpose and function, is key to its effectiveness. Yet, as I visit classrooms, many teachers get it wrong. It’s not a dunce-cap punishment or place for students to feel shame, which only causes resentment and more misbehavior. Rather, time-out must be … 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 believe you should start enforcing consequences as soon as possible (i.e., once the new school year begins). The quicker you’re able to establish a high standard of behavior the better. However, it must also be fair. Giving warnings and time-outs … Read more
There are two reasons why students continue to misbehave in the classroom. The boundary lines are ill-defined. Enforcement is inconsistent. Let’s take these one at a time. By nature, children as young as one and all the way up until adulthood will push and … Read more