What Are Logical Consequences?

on November 3, 2020

Have you ever felt that it didn’t matter what the consequences were for a student’s behaviour, they didn’t make any difference? If a behaviour management strategy isn’t working, it may be time to change and perhaps that means taking a completely different approach. Despite all our best efforts at prevention, there will be times when students do not always follow directions or comply with our expectations. So how do we respond in a way that will help students learn appropriate behaviour and maintain positive relationships?

When Teachers Don’t Deal With Challenging Student Behaviour

on April 23, 2020

In schools where teachers don’t feel safe themselves, they are more likely to ignore poor student behaviour because they don’t feel supported or valued. Here are 7 ways that schools can work to change the culture of ignoring bad behaviour.

5 Ways The Highly Effective Teacher Manages Student Behaviour

on September 6, 2018

Planning does not just mean preparing your lesson content, but giving thought to how you want your students to behave before, during and after the lesson. Here are 5 simple yet highly powerful ways to create positive behaviour change with your students.

8 Ways To Improve Academic Results Through Social and Emotional Learning

on March 17, 2018

Social and emotional learning is a vital element of student development with clear research showing the positive impact on academic results. However, with all the curriculum content teachers need to cover, many teachers are asking how they can possibly add social and emotional learning to their load. Here are 8 easy ways.....

3 Things Teachers Must Do To Start the Year Off Right

on February 28, 2018

The beginning of the school year is undoubtedly exciting, but it can also be an overwhelming time for new teachers, or even for experienced teachers and if you are changing schools, teaching a new grade level or a new subject area or going back to teaching after a break, this time can be even more stressful. There are three things that will make a huge difference to your classroom, your sanity and your students’ success and they are not about curriculum, they are about behaviour.

What Do I Do When They Won’t Do What I Ask?

on February 7, 2018

Many schools have a hierarchy of consequences that increase the level of punishment as the behaviour escalates. While that approach works with 75-80% of the population, a student with behaviour issues will not respond to increasingly negative penalties.

Behaviour Management Resources For Teachers

on January 17, 2018

Here is an outstanding list of Behaviour Management Resources for Teachers.

What To Do When Parents Won’t Come On Board

on January 8, 2018

Put these 7 strategies in place to reduce parental anxiety (and your own) in meetings with parents.

10 Common Misconceptions About Students Who Don’t Care

on December 4, 2017

When students don’t listen or follow directions, or they roll their eyes when you speak, or they talk while you are talking, it can seem as though they don’t care what you think of them. This is a misconception. Young people do care what adults e.g. parents and teachers think of them. They care very deeply even when they don’t show it. The more it seems they don’t care, the more they do care.

Reinventing Our Kids Education

on November 27, 2017

When I first started teaching (many years ago!) I was struck by the cookie cutter approach of the education system, that seemed to knock any individualism, originality and enthusiasm right out of young students. Any student who didn’t fit in was poked and prodded (figuratively) till they were made to fit.

How To Prepare Students For Change

on August 31, 2017

While we cannot eliminate all change from a student’s school day, we can put some strategies in place that help students to cope and hopefully prevent difficult behaviour or meltdowns that may result from their anxiety.

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.

Why Do Students ‘Misbehave’?

on July 6, 2017

When a student displays challenging behaviour, teachers usually look for the antecedent or trigger. Simply put, the trigger is whatever happened immediately prior to the problem behaviour and seems to contribute to the behaviour.

5 Ways To Wellbeing For A School Leader

on April 15, 2017

With a focus on how the school principal and executive can lead their staff in the area of wellbeing by being role models and positive examples, the five ways to wellbeing fit beautifully into school life especially as part of building a positive school culture that supports staff health and wellness.

5 More Ways to Engage Students that Take Almost No Extra Preparation Time

on April 7, 2017

As teachers, we are always looking for ways to optimise the learning for our students, whilst also taking little extra preparation time. Simple, effective ways to engage your students that won't require any extra work for you!

5 Ways to Engage Students that Take Almost No Extra Preparation Time

on March 30, 2017

Here are some simple techniques you can add to your teaching […]

Self-Talk And Teacher Wellbeing

on March 2, 2017

The talk in your head impacts your wellbeing. Gandhi said, ‘I will not let anyone walk through my mind with his dirty feet.’ Sometimes we are the ones with the dirty feet in our own minds! Have you ever had Imposter Syndrome? Have you ever taught something important to your students and then thought ‘Hey, who am I to sprout about all of this? or ‘Hey, I don’t do that!’

The Key To Better Academic Results

on February 2, 2017

While you may already give a lot of thought to increasing academic results by improving your instruction, providing better resources and designing better units of work, have you given any thought to the social and emotional development of your students? Here are 3 steps outline how you can improve academic results through a social and emotional curriculum

Mentally Preparing For Going Back To School

on January 27, 2017

If you are feeling apprehensive about going back to school after the summer break, you are not alone. Many teachers find it daunting returning to school after a break to face the whirlwind demands of planning, managing, teaching, marking and reporting.

A Letter To All Teachers

on December 8, 2016

Teaching is one of those rare occupations where you never feel as though you have actually achieved anything. There is always the vague feeling that if you just had a bit more time, or an extra set of hands or some inspired thinking you would be a better teacher.