Well, it isn’t trickery. It isn’t manipulation, bribery, or intimidation. It isn’t lecturing or one-on-one counseling. It isn’t rewards or tokens, threats or “caught being good.” Although these and other common methods can dampen misbehavior temporarily, they don’t actually change it. In fact, they … Read more
The SCM approach to classroom management isn’t complicated. It isn’t burdensome or overbearing. It’s neither stressful nor manipulative. It doesn’t entail stickers or stamps, tokens or prize boxes. It doesn’t require lectures and talking-tos, admonishments and reprimands, behavior contracts and counseling sessions. It’s neither … Read more
As part of my personal coaching practice I speak to a lot of teachers. And although many of the classroom management struggles they need help with are diverse and unique to them, there are commonalities. One such commonality is something they’re almost always unaware … Read more
There is a classroom management strategy called “the five questions” that a number of school districts have adopted. I’ve been asked about it several times recently so thought I should cover it. The way it works is that when a student misbehaves and breaks … Read more
There is a trait great teachers share. It isn’t something you can see, not at first glance anyway. But every student can sense it. They can feel it viscerally while in their teacher’s presence. It’s something lasting, highly influential, and part of who the … Read more
A problem has been nagging me for several years. And now I’m doing something about it. You see, a small number of SCM principles and strategies are far more important than the rest. In fact, they form the very foundation of effective classroom management. … Read more
There was strong reaction to last week’s article, almost all of it good. But it left a few readers confused, even angry, especially those visiting our website for the first time. Because SCM runs counter to many long-held beliefs about classroom management. It upends … Read more
Effective classroom management is as much about what you don’t do. As it is about what you do. The mere absence of bad habits. The omission of certain teacher traits and behaviors. The removal of common but ultimately hurtful strategies . . . Can … Read more