Most teachers begin the school year strong. They teach their classroom management plan in detail. They set expectations and polish and hone routines. They build quick rapport and inspire good initial behavior. Everything seems so easy. But then, three or four weeks in, things … Read more
Come the first day of school, you’ll be ready. Your room, your schedule, your activities and lessons. Your outfit. All primed, polished, and poised to succeed. You’ll even know exactly what you’re going to say when you greet your new class. Which is all … Read more
You begin the school year with so much hope. But then, not an hour after teaching your classroom management plan, your students are misbehaving. They’re talking when you’re talking. They’re leaving their seats without permission. They’re calling out, giggling, and ignoring your directions. It’s … Read more
Here at SCM, we’ve received a number of emails asking how best to handle students who misbehave outside the four walls of the classroom, but while still in your presence. In other words, how do you respond to rule-breaking while walking to lunch, for … Read more
So you have this student who seems determined to ruin your school year. He (or she) is blatantly disrespectful. He makes fun of and laughs at other students. He’s rude and silly. He’s argumentative and attention-seeking. He is well known by every staff member … Read more
Many difficult students behave the way they do because they’ve experienced—and often continue to experience—emotional turmoil associated with a deplorable home life. Verbal and physical abuse, poverty, neglect, drug and alcohol use in the home, and other sources of emotional pain and trauma can … Read more
Your students love video games. They love action movies and bawdy comedies. They love snowball fights, skateboards, birthday parties, and action sports. They love laughter and thrills, challenge and daring-do. They want to leap off thirty-foot cliffs into murky water below. They want to … Read more
If you’re like most teachers, two or three difficult students take up most of your time. On the days when they’re absent, or pulled from your class, everything goes smoothly. Teaching is more fun. You’re more relaxed. And you can cruise through your lessons … Read more