In educational parlance, building community means to manufacture it. It means to organize activities and “circles” in order to create camaraderie and a cohesive family-like environment. The sentiment is good. A sense of togetherness and altruism is something every teacher should strive for. However, ... Read more The post Why You Shouldn’t “Build Community” appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..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 The post The True Purpose Of Classroom Management appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more

I know this to be true after years of working with thousands of teachers struggling with classroom management: They don’t know what they want from their students. Should they allow talking while entering the classroom? Should they allow calling out during discussions? Should they ... Read more The post A Big Reason Teachers Struggle With Classroom Management appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more

You can’t force it. This is the mistake teachers make. Trying to pull quiet, shy, or distrustful students out of their shell does the opposite. It makes them less likely to participate and engage in discussions. It causes them more discomfort and embarrassment. It ... Read more The post How To Connect With Students Who Don’t Want To Connect appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more

It’s not because you hold them accountable. This is a myth. In fact, as long as you follow through as promised—and without lecturing, berating, questioning, etc.—your likability will increase. It will get stronger along with their trust in you. But there are distinct and ... Read more The post 5 Reasons Why Your Students Don’t Like You appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more

What does it matter? Who cares if students wear their pants below their waist or show more skin than you’re comfortable with? As long as it doesn’t interfere with your teaching, what’s the big deal? It’s a style, a fashion statement. It allows them ... Read more The post Why You Should Be Strict On Dress Codes appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more

According to a National Center for Education Statistics survey, 56 percent of school leaders believe the pandemic has led to an increase of student misbehavior. And they’re not even in the classroom. Ask teachers the same question and that percentage is likely to go ... Read more The post Why Behavior Has Gotten Worse And What To Do About It appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more

A student comes to you and begs for a second chance. They swear that from now on things will be different. They just need you to fix this one little grade, ignore their latest wee misbehavior, let them redo the test, essay, or project. ... Read more The post How To Handle A Student Who Begs For A Second Chance appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more

A problem with education today is that many (many) teachers make their lessons too complex. The result is that students become . . . Bored Disengaged Unmotivated Antsy Disobedient Again and again, I observe teachers taking basic concepts and twisting them into medieval labyrinths ... Read more The post Why You Must Make The Complex Simple appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more

Small things can make a big difference. Tweaks here and there. Changes in perspective, in temperament. Fine-tuning the dial to a clearer, cleaner signal. Improved classroom management doesn’t have to be hard. If it feels hard, if you’re straining and striving but reaping little ... Read more The post 7 Small, Simple Classroom Management Resolutions For 2023 appeared first on Smart Classroom Management ..read more