Classroom Management Hacks (that may or may not work)

If you have the means activities like Quizizz, Peardeck, EdPuzzle, and Quizlet make for great sub plans. The work is time stamped and no more “the sub lost my paper.” Of course excuses abound.

Try “Lock and Key” assignments. “Do this part first to unlock the second part.” The deadline keeps students (most) on task. Use a fun stamp to stamp the assignment that unlocks the next step. Pla… more

I had a parent tell me that their overstimulated, semi-aggressive child only behaves this way because his older brother (3 years older) has hated him since birth and has basically bullied this child h… more

If the trend is to give a student 50% for doing nothing then can we extrapolate that philosophy to teacher evaluations? Why should that ole 3/4 represent such a broad range?

Note to self: don’t plan a 9th grade lab activity during a full moon 🌕…not quite LUNatic but LOONEY for sure.
Am I alone?

What are your Late Work policies?

When feeling vehement and bitter, notice it. Pause. Label it. “Angry. Bitter.” That tiny space begins to diffuse the vitriol.

Start noticing all the idle threats we dish out…muster up the time and courage to follow through. Watch what starts happening. Prepare yourself for pushback. Especially when the talking-during-the-… more

What does your high school classroom management look like?

Try color coordinating classes according to the colors of the rainbow: Try red for 1st hr’s GC banner, red pens for grading, red binder clips for student work. Orange for 2nd hour. 3rd hr’s yellow … more

Email tips: During distance learning I tried out a number of new technologies. The aftermath was a larger number of emails from those companies and the companies they sold emails to. Write “unsubscri… more

To help encourage independence/trouble shooting/figuring it out, try this: make a short PPT or a small handout with clear directions in the form of a few steps. Tell the students they are flying so… more

Set boundaries. Answer emails during school hours and make REMIND one way. Of course there is the occasional exception for a judgment call.

Students (unconsciously?) respect preparation.

If the kids are expected to be off their phones, then I need to be off mine.

Posting objectives keeps me on track more than it helps the students.

I have a burning question. I have been teaching for over 18 years, which nags me.

Suppose you agree that the provided professional development offered through our districts is ineffective. Why not inv… more

If your students are working on computers, have them move the chairs and face the screens toward you can see what they are doing.

Google forms make for great exit tickets. Of course this only works if your students all have a device. Hard copy exit tickets can become unmanageable, depending on class sizes and frequency.

We can’t have classroom management without taking care of ourselves first. Rest. Even if it’s for 2 minutes. We close our eyes and reset.

Organization is critical for classroom management. Try assembling units into Google Slides with links to ppts, activities, etc. Color code them according to the rainbow: Unit 1 red, Unit 2 orange … more

Has anyone tried breathing exercises with their students to help them calm down at the start of class?

Start each class with a few seconds of stillness. It takes consistent practice. Most students will blurt something silly out after about 4 seconds. Expect it and smile. After time is up ask students to notice what they… more

Instead of “I can”, try “I GET to”

Breathing bubbles calm the class even for just a minute.

WILL Smith. Sigh. I wonder how many people WILL be thinking twice now because of this “slap heard around the world” . WILL this cause us to pause? What WILL we learn from this?

I can manage my classroom better if I don’t respond to emails outside of office hours. This gives my mind a break and by consequence refreshes me for the next day. It also sets a boundary.

Got dread? Picture yourself having a great day. Managing all the yuk makes for a successful day.

Drop your classroom management ideas here. For my school it sure is nice to have a principal who supports a no phone policy.