Thanks , teaching for 15 years and yes I am definitely doing some things wrong ! I let the students grate on my nerves and end up yelling and having power struggles . I do things right as well but you really help ground me and remind me on how to act ! Thanks so much ❤
I had a terrible class last Friday and I did everything wrong. Can't wait to implement these strategies. My students are incredibly exhausting and one step a way from prison.
Hey Michelle. The thing that helped me most was reflecting on what was working, writing it down, and doing exactly what you're doing - looking online to see what other teachers are doing that I can try and implement in my own class. It is not easy. Keep going.
I teach and get frustrated too, sometimes visibly. But on my worst day, I would never say anything remotely close to your last sentence. I am sorry things have been rough for you, but please find your “why.” They are children in need of guidance. Let’s not mention them finding this comment. Good luck!
Late response. I hope you are still in education. I’m sure you did at least one thing right. I know it’s hard but you need to re-frame teaching in your head. For example, these students possibly come from tough backgrounds and do not understand the subject area. As a defence mechanism, these kids insult you and say you are bad teacher (saving face). Also, you might have taught in the wrong school environment? Maybe finding schools where the students had a similar upbringing as you did will help connecting with the kids. It’s tough, but you will become a resilient individual if you stick through.
I am a long term 7th grade substitute. Yesterday i knew I needed to do something different because I was exhausted and defeated. I had been teaching in a small private school for 8 years and going to seeing 100+ students a day was a big change and my management skills were lacking . I implemented the counting and NOISE strategy today and now, even though I suspected my students we’re not going to care or respond, it was absolutely life-changing. I am being dramatic but it was amazing advice and changed the day. Thank you!!!
Tip 9 is the most important for me. Getting into power struggles, using sarcasm or put downs, or yelling has probably never yielded an improved situation for me and has often created further problems. It makes me feel even worse. Also, using a kid’s name when they’re acting up for attention often serves to reward them with the very attention they seek. I’ve heard it said that no word is more beautiful to someone than their own name.
@@growtocycle6992 Hey growtocycle, if the classroom has really turned into a place of chaos, no single classroom management strategy is going to fix things. You're going to need a hard reset, which can be challenging. Do you have a teacher at your school who has a reputation of having good classroom management skills you can connect with? They'll have the best advice for you as they teach in your same school and context and can help you come up with a plan.
Love these ideas. One tip I have used that helps with a student who is trying to challenge me on moving seats or so is to jot a Post-it while I am teaching and lay it down in front of them, saying that they can either move or it will have _______ consequence. No conversation, no battle, and they typically realize I meant it because I am so casually in control and they respond appropriately. I also have fun post-its for this that say "Seriously?, Just Saying, Mental Note, etc". I also have mood notes for students to fill out if they want to let me know how they are doing and high five notes, so its becomes a class culture element.
Me too! My issue is 'relationship'. So many of my grad classes talked about relationship and relating to the kids. So I try to match their energy. But I have since learned it's about MY energy and what I bring and allow in the classroom. I am resetting everything tomorrow.
I am a foreign language middle school teacher. In the classroom there is a lot of interaction between the students, especially because they need to practice pronunciation. I definitely will be implementing the NOISE word on the board. I just love it!
Welcome to teaching Yeeun! What a wild time to become a teacher! I plan on making a video for what ‘classroom’ management may look like during remote teaching that will hopefully be helpful.
Very helpful for some of my most challenging classes 7/8 general music and 7/8 chorus. I have used some of these techniques already but gained a little insight as to why they work...and a couple new ideas. Thank you.
This is THE BEST classroom management advice I've ever seen in an excellent condensed 10 min form -- I've got 30 years of experienced teaching (and sat through manyyyy other multiple hour / very boring clasroom management sessions!)
2024 and I’m still watching this! Just started as a leadership teacher at the local high school. And I caught myself in a couple power struggles not realizing the overall impact that has on the entire classroom. Thank you for educating me on that
Hands down!!! I'm gonna start as a Middle School Math teacher and this video just gave me so many insights as to how I would like to manage my classroom
I feel blessed coming across this video, I am still a 21 year old language teacher (English as a second language) and I am amazed at how smart these tips are - All the love ❤️
Im returning to the classroom after 4 years off and this is such a helpful refresher. I was so worried. I’m teaching 5th grade…so stinky. I’ve got an air filter and a diffuser and I’m ready for business 😂🤣
I guess my issue is kids who just refuse to follow directions. I was a sub when I first tried high school, so that might have made my situation harder. But I had a student who just refused to go into the hall. The response was "you can't make me".
This was an excellent top ten. We have used and modeled a few of these classroom managment strategies but your explanation to each procedure was A+. Thank youu
I'm about to start student teaching in the spring, graduate, and go out into the real world and I found this SO helpful! I already know that I'll be adopting some (if not all) of these in my own classroom when the time comes, and this video will also serve as a great reminder just in case I lose my cool or need a refresher on some of these techniques. Thank you so much!! Also, definitely getting that Refocus Form!
Yeah. It's been much harder to do during distance learning as some kids will go to a breakout room and not share (or turn cameras or mics on or anything), but when they do, it continues to be a good way to keep kids connected and engaged in the content.
I like it too! But I think I have to implement this later. I need quiet and the students talking ALWAYS errupts into chaos at this point. I need a hard reset.
Yes, as someone who has taken 3 hour classes during my masters degree, those 5-10 minutes breaks are really needed for longer classes. I'm halfway through my student teaching year. As a foreign language teacher, I've learned that I can't teach my class properly when students are chatting too much. I'm getting to the point now where I don't move forward until they all come to silence. Great video.
I have taught for 12 years and I can admit that this video is brilliant! I learned new things. Thanks for giving me the "noise" idea for group work and "Starbucks" mode.
I am a new substitute and have done 10 assignments or less. The first one I ever did was when I figured out I needed a plan. Finding this video was a life changer for me! The 'NOISE' strategy is my go-to and has worked 90% of the time! All of my age groups have loved it, thank you.
The hall conferencing tip is so simple but something I hadn’t considered. I really think this will help me this year! Wish I had heard this last year. Great video. Thank you so much!
I currently teach 2nd grade and music in Lijiang, China but I'll be moving back to VA in the fall. Not sure if I'll teach again but you've given me some hope that it's possible to enjoy the career and really hold kids' attention.
I’m new to muddle school and this is so right on. The stuff that you pretend the kids are saying and the stuff we should t day are things I have said and heard them say. Thank God for new weeks, 🙏🏼 this is my 3rd week.
Another very helpful video by Thom. I agree that he has excellent ability to articulate his thoughts in a clear, concise manner and this video is better training than any classroom management workshop I've ever attended. There is a companion video that specifically deals with classes that talk excessively. You all should check that out as well.
I appreciate that Jeff :) Here's the video on what to do when students won't stop talking if anyone's interested - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kdq7d4Vfjes.html
OMG this takes me back to my classroom teaching days, yes, definitely don't engage and ask them to step outside or sit at the back if they are fine and quiet there. They first need to calm down before you can both talk. It also gives them time to reflect on it.
These are GREAT! I taught first grade for 5 years, and never struggled with classroom management. I became a stay at home mom for the last 5 years after having my kids. I am now subbing and when I sub upper grade / junior high I notice my classroom management with the littles doesn’t translate with older kids (obviously). I love these tips, I am going to try using NOISE today. Thank you so much!
Hi Thom, love you videos. Social Worker turned middle school teacher here. I unschooled my daughter for 4 years when she, of her own volition decided to go to school in grade 7. We did almost no formal "educating" and she was at grade level. Which from the get go led me to realize that I don't have any faith in the school system or curriculum. However, I get the feeling I am expected to "tow the line in a school setting regardless of my personal opinions. The problem is when a middle school student says to me "Do we have to do this?" my answer in my head is "No you don't, and there will be little to no "real-world" consequence to this". I just have no conviction that the curriculum is teaching these kids what they need or want to know. I actually don't think I "believe" in school. But I enjoy facilitating fun and enjoyable experiences for kids about topics they are interested in which will offer a bit of light in a very dark world and future.
Hey Matthew. Yeah it's hard when it feels your curriculum is a dry script you basically have to trudge through. I wonder if there's opportunity for you to still find ways to make the learning more relevant for your students. I make a lot more videos about how to design meaningful lessons over on my other RU-vid channel - ru-vid.com. This playlist was made by my co-founder Sam and may be a good place to start (it does promote an online program we have at the end of the video series but the content of the video is valuable in and of itself) - ru-vid.com/group/PLw4T3j8n31cFWdIMY6fpAhf8xhSzQ9WRm
Thanks for the tips! I'm a 1st year teacher with a pretty challenging class. Every morning they will come into the classroom very loud and it is difficult to get their noise levels down for silent reading and listening to announcements. I have tried clap and response (works to get their attention for a very short period of time), group points system with prize reward for the best behaved group at the end of the week, names on board/less Chromebook time for noisy students, wait time, noise game (where I set a benchmark for them to reach such as 5 minutes of quiet time). I feel like I'm trying various methods with this group of students and the methods either work for a little while or they do not work at all. Looking forward to implementing some of your tips such as integrating more discussion into lessons as well as the "NOISE" method. Cheers!
26 years teaching and about to throw in the towel. Your video is succinct, to the point, and gives me hope! I shall live to fight... er.... manage my classroom wisely, another day! ;-)
These tips are excellent! One trick I have found that helps is, when you have a student who regularly acts out, give them a little responsibility. Ask them to help you move boxes, set up materials etc, little things to occupy them. It may seem counter intuitive to give a misbehaving student more responsibility, but I have found that making them helpers makes them feel valued and they end up acting out less in the future.
I was taught this too and really like it! What would you suggest when this misfires on a regular basis with a child who is neurodivergent? Background: I teach an afterschool program similar to boy scouts for a mixed group of 1st-5th graders. Not an ideal group breakdown, but it’s the best we can do at the moment. Example: Student X constantly leaves the room. I put them in charge of being the door monitor. Nobody including me can leave the door without telling an adult. This works for 2 minutes. They are super focused. Then…. they run away…. My other helper is a lady who is seasoned in life and has mobility issues, so she is unable to assist when this child leaves the room. Tips please!
@@JimmyFunkyFreshHughes Hmm that is a tough one! I would say give them a job that is not the hall monitor? This may remove the temptation to run. May I ask how old this student is? Are they on the autistic spectrum?
I am from New Zealand and I must say these tips are amazing. I have incorporated all these tips except for seating as we do not have singular desks. My classroom management has been amazing thank u so.much xxx
Heyyy, first of all thanks for the amazing video, i needed this soooo much, i had a Very bad day yesterday at my class,and im gonna try my best to fix my mistakes and become a better teacher and have good relationship with my students!! For other teachers who feel ashamed and bad for messing up(i feel like that rn lol), please remember we are all human and we are learning to become better and thats what matters,so dont give up and keep goingggg❤💪💪 And You’re amazing teachers for looking for videos like thiiis❤❤❤❤
This was so very helpful! Thank you!! I student taught 11 years ago, and stayed home to raise my babies. I’m finally able to be back in a classroom and would love the Google doc of the Hall Refocus sheet! Thank you so much!
Man… you are articulate, excellent communicator and on point for classroom management. I will deploy your expertise . Love the “do you understand why” technique and the Restore is powerful!!! ❤what you’re doing. You need a Ted Talk !!!
This is a great refresher after a year and a half of teaching virtually. I almost feel like this is my first year of teaching all over again 😂 thank you for this video!
I have more of a collaborative teaching approach. This year I was assigned a new subject area that I m not feeling confident in and have a class with very high needs. I had a horrible class yesterday. Came home, had a chat with my administrator and was in tears over my discomfort and anxiety trying to manage the class. I am feeling a tad bit more confident I can walk into the class today and start creating a better classroom culture. I can easily get sucked into confrontation and sly comments. I am going to take your advice and not directly has things out in class. I will ask them to step outside, then chat with them when I am ready to discuss what happened. Your videos are so helpful ! I am excited, and nervous to make some changes.
Very comprehensive and adaptable to many situations. So important to remain calm and continue to repeat your requests. My favorite is NOISE. I'll use that one soon. Thanks!
The staying calm part is probably the biggest challenge sometimes. But if we lose our cool, we apologize, show the kids some humility, and move on. We’ve shown them we’re human. Thanks Kevin.
Absolutely amazing! Yesterday was my first day of school and it was horrible, I didn't realise how much I needed tip no. 4! Students went crazy! Today, I used this method, and it worked like a charm! Thank you so much
Excellent advice! I've given a similar set of suggestions to many first year teachers while giving PD. Yours was definitely shorter and more to the point. I really liked it! Thank you
Primary (elementary) school teacher from Sydney, Australia here. These are such useful tips thank you! #5 and #6 are great but #9 hit home for me. I always think that Im too busy to step out of the classroom and address that student while I let the 29 others just wait and do nothing so I try handle it in front of the class. Emotions also get the better of me too
Yeah, whenever I sent them out, I wouldn't go out immediately and talk to them. I'd get the students working on something in the classroom first before heading out. And I kept my eyes on the students in the class as well even while talking to the student out in the hall.
Number 9 was really well laid out. I did the right thing and didn't react when the student said something disrespectful, but I didn't immediately have them step out into the hallway. This is a very mentally exhausting aspect of teaching...or parenting for that matter. Great video. Thanks.
It's for sure super hard not to take disrespectful behavior personally. I'm having to relearn all of this with my 20 month old who is determined to throw all her food on the floor! Haha.
Thanks for describing short scenarios of potential conflicts with students- Remaining calm is a skill that can be practiced. Do you have more tips for how to remain calm when emotions are high?
I'd say take some time away and engage with the student when you've calmed down. If you're in the moment and perhaps you can't ask the student to step out, or they won't step out, take a breath, remind yourself that you're working with a kid, and if they refuse to step out, calmly ask 'are you refusing to step outside for a moment?' That may move them to just say' I'm not refusing, I'm just mad' to where you can say 'I understand, please step outside and we can chat about it in a bit.'
Lot of helpful ideas here. Classroom management is so hard because every teacher needs to find their own style and it only works properly when you're relaxed and confident
For sure. Thats what makes it sometimes hard to make a video on classroom management b/c styles that work with me many not always work with other personality types. Definitely something to take the spirit of what you learn and make it your own.
This was excellent and boy I pray this works. Teaching 37 years and now having an 8th grade Intensive Reading class full of struggling learners with severe behavior problems at this point makes me want to stay home! I wrote everything down and plan on using. Thank you.
Really great! I’ve been teaching 25 years and I do many of the things you’ve suggested but there are also some great new ideas! I love the “Noise” suggestion 😀
Did seating chart ✅ Sometimes a give a break but not expected✅ Meet kids at door✅ Get their attention ✅ Did not try the Noise thing 😮 Like giving autonomy but keep boundaries. Need to keep firm. Act upset when you are not upset to emphasize a point. Don’t address a person, but a general behavior that we all do and is not excepted like swearing. Haven’t need a talk in the hall yet 😅 I general try to catch kids before they leave the classroom or at lunch about behavior issues if it is not way out of line. I also remind them of past issues so they don’t happen again during the year. Good points!!
I just came a cross your video and I love it all ready, I teach 3rd graders to 9th and some times what works for the little kiddos might not work for the big kiddos
I loved your video as it was right on track for what I always intend to do in the classroom. My question is, how can I learn to better respond without frustration? What do you do when you are? How do you get back on track and remember the best responses?
That is a great question b/c it's so hard not to respond in frustration. I think reminders to yourself that you're interacting with a child, that you can't take their disrespect personally, and that deep breaths help! Also, don't engage in the moment that you're frustrated. Have a student step out and wait until you've cooled off to talk to them.
Hi, Thom! I'm from the Philippines and about to join the Cultural Exchange Program bound to Roanoke, VA teaching Math in middle school. This video will be of great help on my transition in my new teaching environment. Thank you so much!
Excellent video, Tom. I have been teaching (and the principal) for difficult kids for 50 years. This list is completely parallel to chapter 13 in my book, Take the Pain Out of Pre-Algebra.
So good! Tip 9 is gold. I really appreciate your very specific advice for handling disrespect. I really appreciate how you emphasize curiosity on the part of the teacher, as well as restoration. What an excellent model for handling conflict that applies in and out of school. Thank you so much for this content!
Yeah disrespectful behavior is probably one of the most challenging to work with as it's so hard not to take it personally. Thanks for commenting Nathan :)
