Click above to listen to this podcast episode: “Creating a Classroom Management Plan to Increase Student Engagement” Creating a well-designed and effective classroom management plan is essential to fostering a productive learning environment. For new teachers, particularly those unfamiliar with student-centered models, developing a solid classroom management plan might seem daunting. However, by focusing on … Read more
In our data-driven educational landscape, teachers are increasingly recognizing the importance of tangible, accessible tools like classroom management observation forms. These forms are not just about capturing moments; they embody a deeper understanding of the teaching and learning environment. As educators, we often find ourselves engrossed in the day-to-day teaching activities, making it challenging to … Read more
The foundation of a well-managed classroom lies in establishing clear classroom management routines and procedures. These strategies are crucial at every grade level, from elementary school to high school, and across all subjects. An effective teacher understands that implementing specific routines from the beginning of the school year sets the tone for a secure, positive … Read more
We are constantly hearing about “classroom management”, but definitions of what that means seem to vary greatly. While some think it’s about behavior, others think it’s about culture, and some others even consider it academic. What’s classroom management? It’s a delicate balance between all of these factors. Classroom management is what we need to make … Read more
All teachers are expected to have a classroom management philosophy, but what does this actually mean (and what should it look like in a 21st-century classroom)? The answer to that question depends on three things: the teacher’s purpose, the learners’ needs, and a good understanding of how young people develop in a digital age. In … Read more
We know that classroom management and discipline go hand in hand, but it is also important to strike a balance that works for all parties involved. When you think about it, discipline is simply an orderly pattern of behavior that helps create a safe learning environment. Students who engage in good behavior are more prepared … Read more
Teachers are always looking to find new, innovative strategies for classroom management. While some traditional methods may work for a few students, we need to understand that the children that are coming into our classrooms today are very different than those of their predecessors. Generation Z is a unique group of students by far; however, … Read more
I still remember the moment in the spring of 2016 when a student raised his hand not to answer a question, but to ask one that stopped me cold. “Mrs. B,” he said, “why are we learning about the Treaty of Versailles the exact same way every single class learns everything else? Read the chapter, … Read more
Finding universal classroom behavior discipline techniques that are effective can be somewhat of a challenge. We have an expectation of what student behavior should look like and can identify inappropriate behavior as it happens, but as classroom teachers, how should we collectively address classroom behavior discipline problems? Truly, disciplinary action in positive learning environments really … Read more
I vividly remember standing in the back of my classroom watching a student meticulously fold a paper football. He wasn’t disruptive. He wasn’t sleeping. He had simply checked out so completely that origami felt like a better use of his time than the debate we were having about the Treaty of Versailles. That moment stuck … Read more
The classroom discipline plan you used five years ago probably won’t cut it today. I have worked with many K-12 teachers over the past several years, watching talented educators struggle with behavior problems that their training never prepared them for. The old model of posting classroom rules, listing consequences, and hoping that punitive measures would … Read more
When I meet with teachers during professional development sessions, the first thing they tell me isn’t about test scores. It’s about the daily friction: The student who won’t stop tapping, the three kids who finish everything in ten minutes, the quiet student in the back who hasn’t spoken in six weeks. These classroom challenges feel … Read more