To create a well-managed classroom, it's important to establish clear routines and expectations from the start. Here are some tips:

• Entry Procedures: Have students walk in quietly and go directly to their assigned seats. They should get out all the material needed and be ready to work. This
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Have you ever wondered how to make our classroom a great place to learn? It's not just about having fun lessons, it's about everyone being respectful and following the rules.

I use something called Progressive Discipline. It's like a step-by-step plan to help students make good choices. It is a ...

Starting class the right way can make a big difference in how the rest of the lesson goes. One great strategy is using warm-up activities to get students focused and ready to learn.

Warm-ups don’t need to take long—just 5 to 7 minutes is enough. The key is to choose activities that are simple but...

Managing a classroom can feel like juggling, but with the right strategies, teachers can create a space where everyone thrives. I recently meet with a fellow teacher and we discussed some ideas to help him improve his classroom.  Here is what we talked about. 

Smart Seating Plans
Seating charts ar...

As a teacher of 21 years, I recently worked with a teacher who rated their current classroom management effectiveness at 60 out of 100. While they were happy with student behavior during independent and group work, they were concerned about student disengagement, disrespect, phone usage, and congr...

One of the things I like about teaching is our breaks.  

It is always nice to get a breather, to get recharged, and to reflect on the previous months. 

For me personally, now that Christmas is over and we just got done celebrating New Years I can work on getting recharged.  It has been a busy but ...

27 Years ago I got my Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Political Science. 

I then started to look for a job to make lots of money.  But I soon realized that there is not much you can do with a Sociology and a Political Science  degree.  I mean I could of got a variety of jobs but starting pay w...

When I first started teaching 20 years ago my goal was to get students to memorize as many facts as possible about history.  

I remember I would take the test that came with the Textbook and print them out.  

I don't want to brag but I was a master at Scantrons (most young teachers probably don'...

Think about how many times you have been asked, "How are you doing"?

If you are like most of us, 99% of the time we answer "Good".  

I respond that way without even thinking.  But if I stop for a moment and really think about how I am doing, my answer many times would be different. 

The reality...

44%.

That is the percentage of teachers that will quit before they make it thru the 5th year of teaching. 

Think about that for second. 

To become a teacher you need to complete at least 6 years of schooling.  You need to give up 3 months of your time to work for free (student teaching).  And y...

How long does it take you to Lesson Plan?

1 Hour or 1 Day?

When I first started teaching 21 years ago I remember sitting at my desk and thinking to myself, "Where do I start?"

It was like I had a blank canvas and no idea what I needed to paint, where my supplies where, or even if anybody really w...

"Hey Vigil do you have a second?"

I have been doing this job for 21 years but anytime my Principal asks me if I have a second, I start to get butterflies. 

"I sure do."

As I walked into his office he closed the door behind me.

To be honest with you I do not know exactly how I was feeling in th...