When students are uninterested and struggling to focus, the instinct is to back off. It’s to require fewer paragraphs and math problems and to stop being so nitpicky about rules and routines. It makes sense. If you’re demanding more than they can handle, then … Read more
Having energetic students isn’t a bad thing. In fact, there are three big advantages: They’re primed for learning. They’re fun to teach. They’re eager to participate. However, they’re also prone to excessive talking and disruptive behavior. Therefore, even if you have solid classroom management … Read more
In the past five years, a new classroom management strategy has taken hold. The goal of this strategy is to calm and soothe the fragile psyches of the most difficult students. The way it works is that whenever they begin to feel overwhelmed, angry, … Read more
If you’re like most teachers, you’re in a hurry for much of the school day. Your curriculum is packed. Your schedule is overloaded. You never have enough time. And you’ve been led to believe that there is nothing you can do about it. Rushing … Read more
If you follow a classroom management plan consistently but are still frustrated by how often rules are broken, there is an easy fix. It’s also fast and effective. Here’s how it works: Step One – Identify 3-5 Misbehaviors You’ll notice the same few misbehaviors … Read more
No, you’re not going to say “I forgive you.” You’re going to offer your forgiveness to misbehaving students internally. That is, within yourself. This is a powerful classroom management strategy that can be a game-changer for both you and your students. Here’s why: It … Read more
All students want to like their teacher. But most of them don’t. The main reason isn’t because they find them boring. It isn’t because they think they’re too strict or too uptight. It’s isn’t even because their teacher is cringy, nerdy, and uncool. Before … Read more
“You’re picking on my child.” “I don’t agree with your consequences.” “You may not put my son in time-out.” Perhaps you’ve heard these and other similar sentiments from parents who resist your accountability approach to classroom management. The reason is that the sun rises … Read more