What About Student Voice?

on August 10, 2017

Student voice and choice. Creating a classroom environment where students and teacher really listen to one another in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding may be considered idealistic. But what are teachers if not idealists? If students feel accepted and free to express themselves they are more likely to take risks with their learning. They will feel ok to say, “I don’t understand” or “I don’t get it” and to ask for help. To develop a non-threatening classroom climate takes time, effort and effective, consistent practices.

Importance Of The Classroom Environment

on July 20, 2017

The classroom environment can contribute to problems between students as well as reduce student engagement and learning. When teachers and schools give careful thought to how the environment is arranged, authentic learning is enhanced and incidental behaviour issues can be prevented.

Do You Want A Classroom That Hums ?

on July 13, 2017

Where students and teacher get on with the business of learning and growing with the least amount of fuss and disruption. Where students are engaged and excited about the learning. Where there are clear ground rules for how to behave, how to treat each other and how to learn.

5 Ways To Prevent Challenging Behaviour In The Classroom

on June 22, 2017

When you teach students with challenging behaviour, prevention is your most effective tool. Here are 5 ways to prevent challenging behaviour in the classroom

The ‘Musts’ of the Classroom For NEW Teachers

on February 23, 2017

It’s your first teaching gig! How ridiculously wonderful and absolutely terrifying at the same time! At last you get to put into practice all that you have learnt for your very own students.

How To Develop Routines That Work

on December 10, 2016

Here is a good way to think through how to develop routines that work for you and your students. What it usually means is that the teacher has invested time and energy into teaching the students the routines that they need to follow. This means that the teacher has decided on the behaviour they want to see in the classroom and designed processes that will work for the particular class.

Why Effective Behaviour Management Is More Than Rewards And Sanctions

on November 3, 2016

Behaviour management that relies on rewards and sanctions is like using a typewriter instead of a computer. Your scope for success is limited. When schools and teachers are committed to educating the whole child, behaviour management processes are based on a pedagogical approach rather than simply carrots and sticks.

Why Teacher Expectations Are Important For Student Achievement

on October 20, 2016

Here are 7 ways that mean you have high expectations for students and why that is a great thing!

How To Get Students To Like You

on September 8, 2016

It is not necessary for your students to like you, but it is very important that they think you like them! Relationships are the cornerstone of your work as a teacher; kids will work harder for you when they know you care about them. The Top Ten Mistakes Teachers Make with Student-Teacher Relationships....

How To Get Your Students To Do Their Work

on September 1, 2016

Getting your students to do their work can sometimes be difficult! There are times when kids are disruptive or challenging because they are bored! A relevant curriculum combined with student-centred, engaging pedagogy, can go a long way to preventing off-task behaviour. Here are the top 10 mistakes teachers make.

How To Get Students To Listen To You And Follow Directions

on August 18, 2016

Do your students always seem to be asking, ‘What are we meant to be doing?’ One of the biggest issues teachers have is how to get students to listen and follow directions, without having to repeat themselves. The secret lies in giving clear directions the first time. It can mean the difference between effective learning and time wasting confusion!

Why Punishment Is Ineffective Behaviour Management

on July 28, 2016

Why Punishment is Ineffective Behaviour Management Punishment/ Rewards; two sides of the […]

5 Ways To Reduce Off Task Behaviour

on June 30, 2016

Do you ensure you have these 5 easy teaching strategies done to help reduce the off-class behaviour of your students?

How To Develop A Behaviour Contract

on September 23, 2015

We know that a student displaying constantly inappropriate behaviour and not effectively accessing the learning is a cause for concern. When the student doesn’t respond to your whole class expectations, reinforcements and consequences you may decide to work with them to develop an individual behaviour contract. Depending on the severity of the problem, parental support can also be enlisted to implement the plan.

The Secret To Keeping Low Level Behaviours Low Level

on September 23, 2015

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a conflict with a student that began with a minor issue that blew way out of proportion and ended in the student having a meltdown, the principal being called and perhaps the student being suspended? Many teachers have been in this situation and it is not a happy place. It can feel like things are out of control and you are heading down a path you wish you never started. You simply asked the student to put their hat away and now there is a broken window, a cut hand and this is not what you signed up for. Low-level behaviours require low-level responses.

Don’t Say My Name – Non-Verbal Ways To Manage Student Behaviour

on September 23, 2015

While your name may be the sweetest sound on earth to you, when it is overused in a negative tone, there is no sweetness! I have heard teachers use a student’s name over and over in a vain effort to have them comply with directions - to stop or start doing something. The teacher’s voice becomes white noise - the target student is not listening and the rest of the class is annoyed and also switching off. Being creative and using a variety of non-verbal ways to manage student behaviour and gain student attention can avoid this pitfall and save your voice: