Sometimes, addressing student behavior can be as simple as negotiating a “deal.” A behavior contract can be a great tool to take what can seem like an unresolvable situation and turn it into a win-win for everyone involved. While behavior…
The “Class Pass” is a Tier II intervention designed for students who use disruptive classroom behavior to get out of doing academic work. This intervention is suitable for lower achieving students who tend to act inappropriately and cause a disruption…
Keeping students engaged and checking for their understanding while you’re teaching is kind of important. You probably don’t have to think back too hard to remember a time you sat in a meeting where you were mentally unengaged (i.e. checked…
Would you like to decrease the amount of conflict and find more joy in the relationships in your life? How about on your team at work, in your home with your kids or your spouse, and yes, even in your…
Let’s face it. Interacting with teenagers all day can be a source of stress. Some days it’s all we can do to keep a smile on our faces (but we do it anyway). Our Proactive Classroom Management (PCM) strategy this week is a HAPPY one.…
You know that stress of trying to settle your class down after a transition (especially after recess or lunch!)? Well, imagine how less chaotic it would be if your students would magically enter class each period ready to: transition quickly! be…
As a teacher, you have power to make a difference in the lives of your students. As a result of their time with you, they will develop thoughts and feelings about school, about learning, and about themselves. For some students,…
What do social media addiction, the lure of slot machines, and disruptive classroom behavior have in common? All of them are shaped behaviors caused by the possibility of some type of reinforcement/reward during a seemingly random time period. For those of us…
You’re a teacher. You’re in front of an “audience” all day. You know that being an effective communicator is a must-have skill. It’s a skill that helps you convey meaning, clarify questions, and helps you deliver appropriate correction and praise.…
Although most of us don’t have a choice when it comes to which classroom we get assigned to, we do have at least some control over how we set up the environment in that space. Effective teachers know the organization of…