Although the school year is quickly coming to a close, chances are that Zoom and other live video platforms will continue to play a role next school year. This isn’t good news. Reports from superintendents, teachers, and SCM readers along with surveys and media … Read more
It’s been a tough go, this online learning. Many students are checked out. A few of which have been entirely off the grid for the past two months, whereabouts unknown. A few others are up to their ears in responsibilities—cooking, cleaning, taking care of … Read more
There is a common trait among teachers who struggle with classroom management. Not every struggling teacher has it. The vast majority, however, do. I’ve mentioned this trait before and its effect on giving consequences. But the problems actually go much deeper. So deep, in … Read more
When teachers first implement an effective classroom management plan . . . By teaching and modeling it in detail. By following it exactly as it’s written. By being consistent day after day. . . . they’re often shocked by how peaceful their classroom becomes. … Read more
First-time visitors to SCM are often drawn to articles that deal with boundaries. They want to know how to set limits and hold students accountable. They’re looking for rules and consequences, borders and constraints. They want to gain control and begin reining in an … Read more
For years I’ve had a poster on my classroom door that reads “Learn Like A Champion Today.” Each student taps it on their way in. To an outsider it may appear to be a silly ritual. Cutesy, perhaps, but of no real consequence. They … Read more
As the school year draws to a close, voices tend to grow louder. Routines get sloppier. Students become distracted, excitable, and primed for misbehavior. After all, they can feel the warmth of summer on their skin. The smell of sunblock and freedom is in … Read more
Success is secured ahead of time. It’s something you set your students up for through detailed instruction. You make your content compelling. You show them—model for them—what you expect. You provide precise steps to follow. You practice, review, take questions, and check for understanding. … Read more