Classroom Management: Michael Linsin

Calmness:

"And herein lies the confusion.

Calmness is a state of mind and body that accompanies the effective teacher from morning bell to dismissal, whereas enthusiasm and reserve trade off throughout the day.

To be most effective, you’ll want to save your enthusiasm for directed lessons.

So when you step before your students to teach a particular objective, you’re free to let it fly. You’re free to perform and inspire to your heart’s content.

You’re free to use your passion to captivate, delight, and pull your students mind, body, and soul into your lesson.

But the moment you transition to giving directions or providing information, it’s best to draw down your energy.

It’s best to stand in one place, slow your breathing, and limit your movements. Talk in a softer voice and focus on clarity and accuracy. Provide only the essential details needed to do the work, fulfill the objective, or perform the routine successfully.

While the former captures interest, the latter narrows your students’ focus on what they need to do.

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It’s simple math: Inconsistency equals more misbehavior—every single time.

You commit mind, body, and soul to following your classroom management plan as it’s written, no matter what and ASAP.

Because as soon as that student sees you thinking about it, they’re going to lay it on even thicker and heavier. And every second that passes will make it that much harder to follow through.

This underscores the importance of walking away after delivering your consequence

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But what happens if you can’t do that? What happens if the student raises their hand and requests to speak with you? Or what if they follow you down the hallway after class?

In this case, the simple truth is best and most effective.

“I wish I could, but if I let you get away with it, then I’d have to do the same for everybody else.”

It’s okay to be sympathetic. It’s okay to tell them that you’re sorry and that you’d love to be able to let them off the hook.

It’s okay to tell them that you still think they’re wonderful and that there are no hard feelings.

But you must never, ever give in.

Because once you prove that you’re the real deal, that you really do what you say you’re going to do, they’ll stop trying to sway you. They’ll stop begging and groveling and looking for a way out.

They’ll accept their consequence straightaway and learn from it.

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Many teachers get this backward."