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One reason for poor student behavior is a lack of engagement with the curriculum. I’m not a believer in teachers having to entertain students, but if the pupils you teach are not engaged in the curriculum that you’re delivering, then poor student behavior will be just around the corner.

However, with the demands of teaching getting larger by the day, it’s getting more and more difficult to prepare the fresh and original teaching resources that are needed to engage the students that you teach.

So what do you do if you just don’t have the time to produce killer resources on a regular basis? Well one option is to visit the Primary Resources website. Run by Gareth, a dedicated UK based teacher, Primary resources contains hundreds of free resources for teachers everywhere.

Gareth has just updated his site and posted more than 30 new resources for you to download completely free of charge. Head over there now but make sure you say thanks to Gareth as you pass through!

Hit play below to see a very funny classroom management spoof. Well, at least I think it’s a spoof. Either way it’s hilarious…

If only classroom management really was this easy!

Being a teacher in the the rainy UK means that I am curretly enjoying a very nice half term holiday. 

In fact, my holiday at home is so nice that I didn’t even get out of bed until near midday today

And now that I’ve had two full days off school I’m not sure I can even remember the names of the student that I teach!

Okay, I’m not quite that relaxed yet but I am having a very nice break!

Being a teacher in the UK does have some advantages though after all….

But just because I’m on holiday from school, it doesn’t mean that I’ve rested in my mission to spread classroom management help and advice far and wide.

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth….

You see, even when I’m on holiday I can’t rest.  Which is why I’ve spent the past 4 days putting together a very special FREE report, just for you.  It’s basically my thoughts on classroom management, and how it can be improved.

It’s taken a lot of toil and sweat to produce, but if it helps just one person improve their classroom management skills then it will have been worth it.

And remember…the report is completely FREE so you have no excuse not to download now.

>>> Classroom Management Nightmares….And How To Avoid Them <<<

Click the link above and then save the PDF to your computer.  But if you want to enjoy this FREE report you must download it NOW, as if I get too many hits I might have to pull it.

Download this FREE special report and then make sure you pop back to my blog to tell me what you think.

>>> Classroom Management Nightmares….And How To Avoid Them <<<

I can’t wait to hear from you

Now I’m off to enjoy the rest of my holiday and pray for some weather other than rain

As part of my one man mission to spread classroom management tips far and wide, I recently created a FREE 7 part email course. 

I have a lot to say in this course, and it’s probably not what you’re expecting.  So if you want to find out why I got in trouble by a policeman in Vienna, and what this has to do with classroom management, then click the link below now!

>>> FREE Classroom Management Mini Course <<<

Trust me, you will like what you receive

Well, I’m getting more comfortable with all of the technology out there by the day.  I showed this classroom management blog to a friend today and he was amazed when I told him that I’d built it myself.

And I’m not surprised that he was so impressed.  When I think about the skills that I’ve learnt this year I get impressed!  It wasn’t that long ago when I could barely use a spreadsheet, and now I’m building websites.

But I’m not stopping there.  Whether it’s articles, or videos, or whatever, I’m going to leave no piece of technology unturned as I strive to spread the word about effective classroom management!

So with that in mind I’d like to introduce my latest classroom management project.

Drum roll please……

I’ve gone and made a Squidoo lens!  No, this is not a piece of modern art, but rather a pretty cool piece of web 2.0 technology that allows me to spread my message even further.  Don’t worry by the way, I had never heard of Squidoo or Web 2.0 until recently either!

>>> http://www.Squidoo.com/Classroom-Management-That-Works

Check it out at the link above and let me know what you think.  Wow…my effective classroom management roadshow just keeps rolling on doesn’t it?!

Okay, enough of the self adulation for this week!  I’ll be back in the coming days with yet more effective classroom management tips….

You are awoken abruptly by the sound of a neighbour merrily dancing around the garden, cheerfully pruning a rose bush. The sweet smells of freshly cut grass invade your nostrils as you jump enthusiastically from your bed. 

Refreshed by your recent holiday, your thoughts turn instinctively towards the day ahead, and the inevitable pleasure that this will bring.  Being a qualified teacher in 2007; a truly joyful experience.  If you’re retired that is.

The reality of teaching today is that student behaviour is deteriorating fast, and teachers are left stranded and helpless to pick up the broken pieces.  The emotional anchor around your neck, pulling you under, as you gasp for air.  Wondering where it all went wrong as you thrash around frantically, desperately trying to grab hold of something solid.

Teaching in a 2007 classroom can be a draining experience.  A lack of support from above, and a lack of respect from below, conspires to make you question your chosen career.  A toxic combination of guilt, shame and embarrassment paralysing your social life, as you plough on through the monotony of yet another taxing term.

If this sounds familiar then you’re not alone.  Teaching is harder then ever, and it isn’t getting any easier.  A divorce of rights and responsibilities, and a breakdown in the traditional values of respect, have made classroom management almost impossible.

A huge ticking time bomb of youth irresponsibility, just waiting to explode in your face.   Just ask an older more experienced teacher if student behaviour has gotten worse over the years.  Just be prepared for the inevitable barrage of laughter that comes your way.

Everyone knows that classroom management is getting harder, yet few seem to want to acknowledge the problem.  Certainly not the senior leadership team in your school, who sit blindfolded and merry, meticulously designing yet another proforma for you to complete.  Since when did meaningless paperwork ever solve the problem of rude and aggressive student behaviour?  Even if it is completed on an fancy piece of paper, designed carefully by your dedicated six person leadership team, while you’re toiling knee deep in swear words and aggression.

If only the world knew what teachers go through on a daily basis.  The press, the government and the rest, completely oblivious to the poisonous nature of many of our classrooms.  Unaware that thousands of teachers are left without the antidote.

Surveying the profession is a depressing experience.  Teachers worn out and washed up, their hopes and dreams millions of miles away.  Looking for a way out, but trapped for life, surrounded by a never ending cacophony of inappropriate student behaviour.

But it’s not all doom and disaster.  In every school, there are teachers who stand tall and brave, marching on fearless and unruffled, while dancing to a very different tune. Yes, the classroom management techniques of old may no longer work.  But it is still possible to control and manage even the most difficult classes.  If you’re properly trained that is.

Teaching has changed for the worse, and it’s not going to change back.  If you want to get back on top, and discover again the joys of this profession, then you need to change too.  Stop flogging to death the same old tired classroom management techniques that worked so well in 1987.  This is 2007, and if you want to survive you need to get with the changes.  And fast.

To discover how you can regain control of your classroom as quickly as 1-2-3 then click then link below and download the hugely popular Classroom Management 101 NOW

==>> http://www.ClassroomManagement101.com
 

The article above was published on the Infet website on the 20th May as part of the Classroom Mangement 101 blog’s ‘recommended by Infet’ status.

Fresh from the exciting news regarding Infet yesterday, I have some more great news.  No, corporal punishment hasn’t been brought back into schools (just kidding!).

The news is much bigger than that….

My quest to spread classroom management tips and techniques as far and wide as possible has been rewarded yet again.  No, not a knighthood from the Queen.  No, not a call from the President.

Instead, I’ve been invited to join the Sites For Teachers Community.  Regular readers of this classroom management blog know how I feel about recognition from my peers, and so I’m obviously excited about this development.

Sites For Teachers is basically THE place to find an absolute ton of FREE teaching resources by the bucket load.  Visit the site now by clicking the link below!

I know the anguish that classroom management problems can cause.  You feel alone, frustrated and even worthless.  I know, because I’ve been there. 

Yeah, I don’t feel like that anymore, but I know that there are thousands of fellow teachers out there that are experiencing the pain of classroom management problems.  And they are going through this emotional turmoil right now.

Helping these fellow teachers is the main reason why I decided to launch this classroom management blog.  It’s the main reason why I spent months slaving away creating Classroom Management 101.

And I’m going to be completely honest with you now.  Even though this whole process has taken such a long time, it’s been worth every second that I’ve devoted to it. 

Why?  Because already I’ve received several emails thanking me for my advice in Classroom Management 101.  Thanking me for giving them hope again. 

Putting myself out there in this way wasn’t easy.  It took guts to write a book on a topic such as classroom management.  But when I receive such positive feedback that all just fades away. 

Which is why when I received an email today from Infet.co.uk I was so delighted.  You see, not only did they have positive things to say about my book.  They also gave me a ‘recommended by Infet badge’ to display proudly on my site.

And let me tell you now.  This kind of recognition from my peers is worth its weight in gold. 

Like a 7 year old celebrating his birthday with his shinny, round badge, I’ll be wearing by badge with pride.  If websites could puff out their chests then my shirt would be popping through your screen!

Enjoy the site, and as always get in touch by clicking here for any reason at all.

Wishing you a peaceful classroom.

Proudly sponsored by Infet!

What do cute babies and classroom management have in common?  Okay, not much, but if you’re looking for classroom management that works, then you might want to check out the video below.

But before you do.  Where did it all go wrong?!  One minute they are small, cute, buddles of energy.  And the next they are running around your classroom causing you classroom management hell!

Answers on a postcard please.  All I know is that it’s hard to imagine some of the challenging students in my school ever being anything other than teacher tormenters! 

Enjoy the video and let me know what you think…

Okay, you can all stop emailing, because at long last Classroom Management 101 is live! 

An incredible amount of work has gone into this project which will hopefully provide YOU with the skills and tools needed to claim back your classroom FOREVER.

Go check out what all the fuss is about NOW by clicking here right this second. 

Okay, I’m still determined to learn as much technology as possible so guess what.  I’ve gone and made a YouTube video!

Yes, I’ve gone and made a video as a way of promoting the classroom management tips on this blog.  Please, let me know what you think, but don’t laugh too much!

Perfect classroom mangement here we come

Well, the remaining two reviews are back for my Classroom Management 101 book.  And guess what?  Yep, my smile is even bigger than yesterday.  They loved it, and I really am as happy as can be.

Writing Classroom Management 101 has been a real journey for me, and I find it incredibly scary having my fellow teachers review my work.  It makes me feel like a pupil again!

The great feedback meant that I could have spent the last few days relaxing, instead of worrying about the reaction to the book.  I knew the book would great a reaction, and I guess the lesson is that in futur,e I should have more confidence in my ideas.  But then again, teachers must be the most critical of all reviewers so you forgive me for being a little bit nervous!

I’m just putting the finishing touches to the chapter list, and a couple of other small things that need doing, but it should be ready VERY soon indeed.

I’ll let you the exact release date as soon as I have it.  In fact, readers of this blog will be the very FIRST to find out

With so many teachers struggling with inappropriate behavior it is hardly surprising that more people are coming online to find classroom management ideas.  Effective classroom control is hard, and coming up with classroom management  ideas is difficult when you are swamped by ever increasing piles of work.

One of the best sources of effective classroom management ideas, is also one of the most overlooked.  In every school, in every part of the world, there will be a few teachers who have superb classroom control.  No matter how much student behavior has deteriorated in the wider school, these teachers can control even the toughest students.

These teachers manage to demonstrate excellent classroom management skills, day in and day out. Each teacher will have a different range of effective classroom management techniques and strategies, but they will all be effective. 

I’m often amazed how few teachers actually commit the time to go and watch these teachers in action.  If you’re struggling with student behavior in your classroom, and if you’re desperate for some top quality classroom management ideas and tips, then go and watch these teachers tomorrow.

You will be surprised by how much you can pick up by watching them at work.  I frequently have other teachers, especially new ones, come and ask if they can observe one of my lessons. 

And each and every time, I’m delighted to say yes. Having your peers ask to observe your lessons is second only to seeing your excellent classroom management strategies start to yield results.

So if you’re desperately in search of effective classroom management ideas, then go and watch a fellow teacher tomorrow.  You never know, you might just pick up a life changing classroom management technique, and never look back.

One question that’s often debated is the effect that dress code has upon classroom behavior.  Some argue that dress code has a direct impact upon classroom behavior, and is one of the key drivers of inappropriate student behavior. 

So does dress code impact upon classroom behavior and to what extent?  In my opinion, what the dress code of a school is, is much less important that whether the dress code is enforced.  Failing to enforce a high standard of dress code is often the first step towards inappropriate student behavior.

Enforcing the school’s dress code really is that important.  If pupil’s see that you are weak in this respect, then it will only be a matter of time before they push the boundaries in other areas too.

Forget the hype that a school uniform is an essential component of good classroom management in the classroom.  The consistent enforcement of whatever dress code is already in existence is far more important when it comes to preventing inappropriate student behavior. 

What is it about wet weather that makes children go crazy?!  Okay, maybe crazy isn’t the best choice of word, but they do go a little wild.  I teach secondary school in the UK, all the way from 11-18 year olds, and it astounds me how hyped up the kids get when they’ve been kept inside due to the rain.

And where I live, we get a lot of rain!

I can understand that they get frustrated as they want to be outside, and that they have a lot of ready to burn energy, but sometimes the way they come back into school shocks me just a little.

Of course, if you have a wide range of effective classroom management strategies up your sleeve then you can quickly get your class under control. 

But I still find it astonishing how hyper the students are after a rainy break time.

The forecast for tomorrow is more rain, so I better make sure that I’m on the ball, and think carefully how I’m going to proactively manage their behavior.  As with all types of poor student behavior in the classroom, if you proactively manage the outcome, the you take away a LOT of the stress during the lesson.

Well, at least I have ANOTHER reason now to emigrate to a sunny country…

I received a few emails today from people asking what ‘Classroom Management 101 - Secrets of Effective Classroom Management….Revealed’ actually is, and when it will be released.

Put simply, Classroom Management 101 is going to be THE definitive guide to classroom management.  If you’re experiencing poor pupil behavior then this book will show you where how to get it under control.  And fast!

I’ve been considering writing a book on Classroom Management for years, and now it’s become a reality I’m genuinely overjoyed.  Just the thought of helping out one struggling teacher makes the whole project start to feel worthwhile. 

Sending out draft copies for review was a big deal for me.  I know that I have excellent classroom management skills (sorry to blow my own trumpet!), and I know that my new book contains a ton of effective classroom management strategies.

BUT sending out a book you’ve written - even when you’re sure of the quality, is daunting to say the least!  I know that Classroom Management 101 contains enough useful classroom management strategies to help EVERY teacher out there, but would my peers agree?

Well, let’s just say that the reviews have been pleasing

I asked 9 teachers to review the draft copy, and so far 7 have returned their feedback…

And the results?

6 Excellent and 1 very good!  AND a ton of very pleasing comments as well.  I’ll post some of the reviews on this site in the coming days (just to show off more than anything else!).

Now I just hope that the other 2 reviews to be sent back are favourable too but judging by the first batch of testimonials I’m pretty sure they’ll be excellent too.

I’ve off now to enjoy my wide smile!  Having fellow teachers tell me that my book was excellent really has made my day….

One question that I get asked a lot, is what skills are needed for effective classroom management.  Now this is a hard question to answer for many reasons.  I’ve seen a lot of excellent teachers over the years, and they all seemed to be so different in their style.

Since good classroom managers all seem to have different skill sets, is it really possible to identify common skills needed to develop the effective effective classroom management  strategies that will reduce inappropriate behavior in your classroom?  Absolutely!

Teachers who have effective classroom management strategies might all appear to have different skills on the surface.  But scratch the surface a little, and you will discover that they all share some core attributes.

Below are some of the skills that all effective classroom managers seem to have.

1. Patience. 

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that patience is a virtue.  Well scrap that, because in the classroom patience is a necessity. In order to maintain good working relationships with the students that you teach, you need to be able to demonstrate patience.  Get stressed out and start snapping at your pupils, and you will find classroom management harder than ever.

2. Determination

Effective classroom management takes skill, but it also takes determination.  You need to be determined to establish your authority in the classroom at all costs, or you will see a deterioration in student behavior.  The teachers with the most effective classroom management skills are the teachers who are determined to follow through, and appl their rules consistently, whatever the situation.

3. Consistency

If you’re not consistent in your classroom, then you will find effective classroom management hard to achieve.  The teachers who have the least problems with student behavior are the teachers who deal with the pupils in a consistent fashion.  Treat identical situations differently, simply because of the child involved, and you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Teachers with effective classroom management skills all seem to have different attributes.  Even so, all have the three skills above in abundance.  If you want to reduce inappropriate student behavior in your classroom now then concentrate on developing the skills listed above.  Your effective classroom management skills are dependent upon it!

I’ve had quite a few emails over the past couple of days (well 2 but it felt like a lot!) asking me what is classroom management.  Since classroom management  strategies forms a huge part of what we do as teachers, I’m guessing these nice people emailing me aren’t teachers themselves.

But, in an effort to stop the stampede of emails (is 2 really a stampede?!) I thought I’d answer the ‘what is classroom management’ question here.  Put simply, classroom management is all about using strategies within the classroom to influence the behavior of the students that you teach.

Some people think that classroom management is only effective if you control the behavior of your pupils, but actually control is impossible.  Effective classroom management is where you influence the behavior of the students you teach in a positive way.  We all have free will, and teaching has changed.  You will never achieve total control over anyone (unless you’re a hypnotist which sounds fun!), but you can influence the behavior of others.

And here’s the thing.  Influencing your students so that you promote positive behavior in the classroom is actually a lot more powerful than just trying to control it.

So there you have it.  The answer to the question what is classroom management solved forever.  Hopefully people will find something else to email about or my inbox will be very lonely by tomorrow!

Well, the UK bank holiday is over, and today I returned to school.  Now, I love my job, and I genuinely enjoy teaching every single day, but I still find it hard to return to school after a lovely long bank holiday.  Especially when the weekend has been so much fun!

Once I’m actually back in school though, it’s a different story, and I enjoy every second.  Is the same true for other teachers out there?  I’m not so sure.  A quick straw poll at lunchtime highlighted just how much some of my peers disliked their jobs.

When I was chatting to them, it was clear that they were all passionate about education.  For most of them, teaching is all they’ve ever wanted to do. So why do they all dislike teaching so much, and why are so many of them wanting to leave the profession or switch schools?

Well, my highly un-scientific, stroll poll showed that poor student behavior was the reason so many teachers are unhappy in their jobs.  And my observations around school back this up too.  The teachers who enjoy their job the most and the ones who have the best Well, the UK bank holiday is over, and today I returned to school.  Now I love my job, and I genuinely enjoy teaching every single day, but I still find it hard to return to school after a lovely long bank holiday.  Especially when the weekend has been so much fun.

Once I’m actually back in school though, it’s a different story, and I enjoy every second.  Is the same true for other teachers out there?  I’m not so sure.  A quick straw poll at lunchtime highlighted just how much some of my peers disliked their jobs.

When I was chatting to them, it was clear that they were all passionate about  education.  For most of them, teaching is all they’ve ever wanted to do. So why do they all dislike teaching so much, and why are so many of them wanting to leave the profession or switch schools?

Well, my highly un-scientific, stroll poll showed that poor student behavior was the reason so many teachers are unhappy in their jobs.  And my observations around school back this up too.  The teachers who enjoy their job the most and the ones who have the best classroom management skills.

It’s such a shame that so many dedicated, and talented teachers leave the profession each year, simply because of deteriorating student behavior.  In fact, it makes me really angry. 

So what can be done about it?  Well, that’s a question for a another post or 20, but one thing’s for sure.  In the vast majority of cases, it simply isn’t the teachers fault that the behavior of the students they teach is so poor.  But it’s such a shame that so many talented professionals want to leave the job because of it. 

If there is one thing likely to frustrate hard working, dedicated teachers its students talking out of turn.  You’ve worked hard preparing a lesson, but you just can’t develop a flow as students interrupt your lesson with inappropriate comment after comment.

Being able to prevent students talking out of turn is a fundamental classroom management strategy. So how exactly do you stop students interrupting the flow of your lessons to the detriment of teaching and learning in your classroom?

One effective classroom management  strategy which I use to prevent students talking out of turn is to proactively manage the behavior that I expect.  For example, before I ask a whole class question, I will briefly explain my expectations during this phase of the lesson. I will explain that I am about to ask a question, and that I want to hear their answers, BUT they must raise their hand and wait to be called.

This might just be a small, subtle change to your teaching, but by explaining your expectations in advance there is an increased prospect of improved student behavior.  I do this daily and rarely have problems with students speaking out of line.  Follow this simple tip and you could do the same. 

In the majority of cases, students want to behave well.  Sure, it might not seem that way sometimes, but it is the case for the majority of the students that most people teach.  Proactively explaining what is good behavior in advance is just common sense.  If you explain what you expect of the class, before you begin a task, you really will reduce the frequency of students talking out of turn.