The jettisoning of firm consequences in favor of a purely restorative approach has caused more dangerous behavior among students. It’s like nothing I’ve seen in 30+ years of teaching. Nowadays, a student can fight, bully, torment, throw chairs, and threaten a teacher without being … Read more
It’s in vogue these days to bring the victim of bullying and their tormentor together for a guided chitchat. Depending on the “practice” the teacher uses, the conversation can proceed a few different ways. I won’t bore you with the various methodologies, but the … Read more
Kids are inclined to roughhouse. And they should be encouraged to do so. It’s good for them. It’s a healthy way to build relationships, release pent-up aggression, and lower stress levels. It’s good exercise and teaches limits and resiliency. According to research, it’s also … Read more
With a single statement, spoken at the beginning of the day or class period, you can send a wave of calmness throughout your classroom. It takes just a few seconds, but you’ll see, and even feel, the difference immediately. You’ll also notice a greater … Read more
A few years ago, I wrote a guide to eliminating bullying. It has since become a resource for schools and districts across the country. It’s fairly complete, so I’ll try not to cover the same ground here. But there is one thing the guide … Read more
During the first few weeks of a new school year, I try to identify students with natural leadership ability. Typically, two or three strong leaders will emerge from a class of thirty. My only criterion is that the other students look up to them. … Read more