I watched this video this morning because I was really having a hard time with two of my classes. I tried this method today and it really worked!!! The only thing I didn’t do was confess that it was my fault for not being clear about the rules in the beginning. I didn’t make it my fault. But we did not move on until the class was totally quiet. I gave marks to three students in the process and it took about 10 minutes but by the end the students were so quiet and respectful!!!! I am so thankful I listened to this it had to be God!

Excellent advice. It is pure common sense. Most teachers give up when they lose control and blame themselves.

Thank you! I feel like you're speaking right to me!! I just started teaching in an inner-city middle school. Being a new teacher in the middle of the year is tough...but I love the students and I am trying my best!! Thanks for your encouragement!!

The class starts for me the minute they enter, I greet them with a smile, handshake and music it sets the tone for the class. Getting any disruptive students on board by deflecting behaviour is always something that works for me...by giving them a job or including them within my starter planned activity

I have never left a KZfaq comment until now. Thank you for your video. This is my first year teaching art in an inner city public school and I was unprepared for the challenges that I would be facing with my students. I was in the middle of planning yet another great lesson that only a few kids would listen to when I stumbled onto your channel. I've been told many platitudes about being a good teacher but your advice is excellent, on point and proactive. I want my students to love learning as much as I love teaching and tomorrow I am hell bent on getting my classroom back! So thank you, thank you THANK YOU and wish me luck :)

I walk to the front of the class.... I say.... I’m ready to Teach.... Are You ready to Learn ???? YES YES!!!! Then they reply.... Thank You .... Love this video!

Really needed to hear this. Currently teaching kids and it’s got on the brink of a meltdown... 3 weeks in! Thanks a bunch, bless your heart!

Thank you sir. I agree with your initial statement. Teaching is HARD. But we are responsible for the engagement and the effectiveness of the classroom management in our rooms. We should continually evaluate and modify our methods. Our students have very strong personalities and unfortunately, school is seen as an obstacle to the “fun” things that they would rather do with their day. We’ve got to work like hell to motivate them to learn.

I like how you recommend involving the students in the corrective process. No doubt students want to learn, and if they recognize why the learning environment isn't facilitating learning then they are more likely to recognize their role in that dysfunction- and their role in the solution. You shared so much great advice- and coaching!

Hi there! I am a new teacher and just needed to listen to this to help me reflect on my classroom management/discipline, which I think I need to work on. I love teaching and love working with children. Love your advice. Thanks!

Thanks brother. I taught my first bible class today to 10-13 yr olds. Rude awakening for me! However I have a word for these kids and you made me understand that we need to establish structure before we can get it going the way I would like. Thanks and keep teaching

Thank you god for putting this video in my recommended feed. Had me hooked right from the point where personal responsibility was stressed (15 secs in?). I've had too many teachers (and school management) whinge about-well these kids don't have parents that care or boundaries at home so we're just gonna let them do what they like at school. My response has always been-if they don't have that at home we have to be even more consistent with those boundaries (and rewards and consequences around them) at school because we're *all* these kids have got. Because when we fail to teach them what boundaries are and how they work, the next person *teaching* them will be the prison warden. Thanks Classficient!

The problem I have with this is that I can tell them how much I care all I want but that does nothing if they don’t care. I’ve done your method many times, it doesn’t work. They will take the time I’m using to write teaching=learning on the board to do what they want. If I write that on the board, they laugh and then yell at each other to shut up.

Confidence and consistency are essential. I observed a teacher a few years ago trying to implement a classroom rule building process (like you described). I had to stop my observation to step in because the process was going downhill. Part of the issue, as you mentioned, was building rapport and following through with expectations. Unfortunately, the teacher left after the first year.

Building a rapport with students is so important. From day one if a student is not doing what he/she should contact the parent. Most parents care about their kid's education. The disruptive student needs to be taken aside and asked why they are misbehaving and most of the time they do not know. Make sure to let them know that you want them to succeed and you will do what you can to ensure that they do succeed. Other words take a personal interest in the child and involve parents.

So true persistence and and consistence! I have taken students aside and spoken to them. They do know that I care. Also, for you to understand them, you need to get to know their backgrounds. This will help you to show compassion because some of our students are going through a lot, and it’s up to us to take the time to find this out! Be persistent and consistent because your students deserve it!

All this is actually true. The students behavior is an outcome of our own conscious or subconscious negative mindset about them. Nobody likes to be disliked. Totally agree with you sir. You are a very good teacher.

Some of this is good advice, like stopping and not trying to ignore interruptions in the hopes they will go away. Part of what every good teacher needs to recognize is that you are not just there to teach your subject but to also teach all those other life skills, like how to be respectful, like how to be a lifelong learner. Other things are bad advice, like not having a back up plan when you encounter a truly defiant student who absolutely refuses to respect others; saying "that is not an option" is just a vacuous, pretentious evasion. If it is "not an option", you need to be prepared with what to do next, not try to cover up your lack of structure by telling other teachers they just need to have resolve or assuming that people who want a back up plan just "wanted a cushy job". What nonsense. As a teacher, you need to share what your back up plan is with your principal, and if your principal does not support it and does not have an alternative, find a better school to teach at. I can tell you right now, I taught for ten years and was told by multiple students I was the best teacher they ever had. I had students become teachers because of me, and I coached other teachers. Then I later went back and substituted a few classes and had principles try to use this same rhetoric but clearly it was to cover up that they had no plan. Whenever someone responds with "teaching isn't cushy" in response to a concern, that is analogous to a teacher that berates students to coerce them. When someone says something like "teaching isn't supposed to be cushy" you know they are a fraud with no real substance.

Thank you very much for this very good piece of advice. I'll report the outcome very soon.

Awesome! I just started my KZfaq channel that also instructs teachers. This is a vital tool. We need to continue to help and build each other up! Good job, sir.

Can't remember who said this but I really liked it..."The biggest mistake teachers make is assuming the students are interested in what they have to say right away"...

Being a teacher is tough and deserves way more than they get. Dealing with kids who feel like because you ain't they momma they can disrespect and do whatever takes great skill to manage. I know they feel like stepping out of their profession sometimes especially with those high schoolers whoa 😲

Thank you for this advice. Much appreciated. I will do my best to follow it.

I respect what you are teaching here. However, how do you deal with students with special needs in your classroom who do not follow what you expect?

I agree. That documentary, waiting for Superman is manipulative and deceitful. Thanks man, loved this no nonsense approach. I have been teaching for 13 years and students have just suddenly changed I can't say why, but it is a range of factors, they seem to be always angling for a fight. I am going to try your suggestions as I have always believed the students have to be brought along in the learning process (after all it is theirs), by being overt and telling it the way it is.

This is just the information I needed right when I needed it. Thank you.

I love this! I think you are an amazing educator with great values! I grew up going to Title I schools and having few role models in education. Currently, I am working on my teaching credential and I see many children, who like you said, were like me! Want to learn, but with teachers who do not give clear instructions or who only teach to students who understand. Thank you! P.S. It would be great to see a glimpse into your classroom and the activities or set-up you have!

Right on bro. Thanks for the great advice.

This is really worthwhile. Sometimes we blame our students for their behaviour but you make me see I can have the confidence to settle my class and get them learning

I agree with a lot of what your saying. You are affirming a lot of basic classroom management.

Very insightful thank you for this video. It's super helpful. I wish I had watched this when I first began teaching.

Man seriously you are awesome. I wish I had you as a teacher.

I needed to hear this. Thank you.

Thank you for this, it really meant a lot to me.

Awesome job! You are so right--the teacher is responsible for the classroom environment and until we quit blaming students for our failure to plan, connect with the kids, and plan some more, nothing can change.

You say some pretty good things. How would you deal with a class where the students are noisy and running around playing with each other and completely ignoring what you say or do? The noise level is so high that you would have to shout to be heard and that doesn't even guarantee that they will listen or care.

I think you are SPOT ON!!!! Kids won't care what you teach until you teach that you care.

I am in the middle of a 7 week student teaching run, 11th grade social studies, and will use this information this week. I will let you know how it goes, and thanks for posting.

Great advice, although you referred to one of the most influential educational pioneers of our time as 'some dude' in another one of those school documentaries.

So many good things said here.... "Kids don't have a problem with learning; they have a problem with school." "Do them a favor by creating structure." YES! "If you're berating your students in a tough situation, your students have likely been told their whole lives about how inadequate they are. You have to believe in your students." GUILTY! "It takes time to save time."

You are an amazing teacher!

Thank you so much, I love my students and teaching but the behaviors is stopping me from teaching. I know it is my fault some how I’m tired of continuously correcting behaviors everyday. I appreciate your video and I probably leave teaching.

This is a way to get students take learning into their own hands

Useful advice. I wish the videos were a bit more current...sad to see the blog page taken down.

Thank you for this

We need an age group for this approach.

1. Don’t shift the responsibility to you which gives them a pass. They need to take responsibility for their behavior. 2. Don’t wait for them to stop misbehavior because they will just keep doing it. They don’t care. That’s not a consequence. 3. This was useless.

That was brilliant! Thanks :))

Thanks for these great tips. I feel, though, that you can't do this with every age group. From what age can you start doing this?

As a teacher whose seen many types of classrooms over the years, here's one of my non-negotiable components to taking control of a class: First, never, ever tolerate students talking, or even whispering when you have the floor. That is to say, you have to be convinced, and must communicate the conviction to your students, that giving respect to the teacher while the teacher has the floor is MORE IMPORTANT than any of the content that you'll ever teach them- whether it be mathematics, English, History, or underwater basket weaving. In other words, in the hierarchy of moral importance, respect for authority, (in this case, the teacher) is more important than the academics. Learning this lesson is more important than a Calculus lesson or an AP U.S. History lesson.

Thank you sooooo much!

You are giving excellent advice. I LOVE the simple visual on the board (I am an art teacher). I have a few questions and I would love your feedback. I was a working professional artist for the first 12 years of my adult life, then I decided to become a high school art teacher and I love it. Ques.1. I am noticing that over time I have having a more difficult time holding students' attention due to a several things - but the most widespread problem is the cell phone - any thoughts on how to combat this? Ques.2. This is the big one.....95% of the time I do precisely what you are suggesting here in your video - but this year, I have met my match - a student so defiant, negative and difficult that I have no idea how do deal with him - I've tried everything. He has this idea in his head that art should be "fun" (his definitions of fun) and therefore he should be able to talk, socialize, be loud and do as little work as he feels. This is a class that requires a great deal of focus because they are learning to draw realistically. He has fought against every single thing I have taught without budging. The thing is, that I have no support whatsoever from the administrators or the counselors in our school. Our counselors will put students in my class and tell them it is an "easy A" and not an "important" class. When he gets so out of control and I need to remove him from class so I am able to teach the other students, the admins send him right back in without consequence. It was so incredibly frustrating that I am actually GLAD that we were sent home during this pandemic! HELP!!!

Very useful - thanks for posting!

THANK YOU!!

Any advice for subs? I was so excited to be a sub for middle and high school, and I spent the entire day trying to keep noise under control and get the kids to do their work. The children were rude, unruly, and uninterested in their assignment It was so discouraging...

I would hire you in a second. If you ever decide to relocate to Kansas City, please let me know.

Excellent

Sound advice-:)!

Omg.. what if the whole school is out of control..

you quit teaching? maybe one day you can go back. You would be a great sub.

In my opinion, classroom problems are related to: school management model, number of students per class, students' emotional, pshycological and learning difficulties, families' participation in the educational process, teacher's atitude, physical presence (physionomy, voice pitch, body language) and technical skills. And those last seem to be very important - teacher's general profile. You may be an excellent speaker, very skilled, but your looks, body language is not very apealing (it doesn't mean you need to be beautiful/handsome). Then, if your personality doesn't go along because you are not a very patient person and you don't like to manage conflicts, it won't work, Teachers should be selected by their profile, like in other jobs, for a start.

Woooaah!👍😁

I think everything that he has said is true. If this does not work for you then you need more grit and backbone. I have taught in all white schools, my class ran off 3 teachers. I would correct with grit and backbone. The students loved the class and I had minimal interruptions. I even smiled n the first day that I met them. He is not living in a dream worked.

Amen

MMMMM thank u my brother

I just start teaching from next month .but those student are seen impossible. I am feeling that i dont deserve to be a teacher....

great

Respectable teacher can u guide how make lesson interesting and fun for junior level specially things like use of a and an

Yeah pretty naiive.

How does this apply to all ages especially 3-5years old?

What do you do when a student doesn't want to learn or does not care for getting an education?

Not realistic, what if they still don’t listen and are disrespectful regardless of you placing rules and speaking to them aside?

Sorry, but your comments sound naive. One classroom can't overcome the atmosphere of an out of control school.

if half your teachers are new, your school must not be very good if the turnover is that hight

Taking ownership of what’s happening inside your four walls Share that with your students and be transparent with them. Speak to them honestly and openly with what’s going on in the classroom don’t bribe or beg. I am the leader and I am responsible for what happens in the classroom. You must stop everything. Those kids who are challenging need you too. Don’t teach another content lesson unless you teach your classroom. Make students a part of the process. This is not the time to berate or yell at tour students. You have to believe in your students and show them that you do. Students can smell a fraud a mile away. Will not teach another lesson till you follow my instructions. Silent till they follow your attention. Till you have full attention silent and looking at you. Please stay this way or else I will stop again. Go to the board after thanking them. I want to apologise you to you because I haven’t provided learning environment you deserved I am aupposed to be teaching and you should be learning. Maybe I haven’t been given up clear instructions. List those things that children are doing in the classroom. Whatever distraction it is, these things are no longer happening in this classroom from this day forward these obstacles will not come in the way so I continue teaching and you continue learning. We will remove our obstacles so I am teaching and you are learning because that is why we are all here. You are taking responsibility for everything that is happening in the class. If they do not do it then that is not an option. You have to make learning the norm. You want them to learn because they are so capable and what will not happen is you giving up on them. If you wanted a cushy job you shouldn’t have chosen teaching 😭😭😭😭 if you want something be persistent and if you want to keep it be consistent.

i smiled to my student den after they abuse me

Hahahaha, you think that some of the worst classes that principals put together have a MAJORITY of students who are good? It sounds like you haven't taught at the worst schools then.

Zhou wasted ten minutes not saying a damn thing.

What's the deal with black students? I've been teaching three years and took an extended contract at a diverse school that has Pacific Islanders, Asian, African, Hispanic, African American, mixed and whites kids. I'm ADOS and a grandmother. . My south Sudan student is oppositional and defiant, when part of a group of 8. Surrounded by Asians, her behavior conforms.. I'm wondering if I've missed a cultural component. Today they video tapped ass shaking in my classroom. It was extreme, it felt like entrapment. I ignored them. Next round new strategy.

sit quietly and wait for students to be quiet. LOL! Seriously, dude?

if i will speak like dis, they will abuse me, dont respekt ur student. dis is totally, dream