Smart Classroom Management

Why You Can’t Be Good At Classroom Management

Michael Linsin — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 23:01:54 +0000

I started SCM in 2009. Since then I’ve heard every possible reason why you can’t be good at classroom management. Although some circumstances are more challenging than others, none hold water. The truth is, you can have the class you want. I’ve done it ... Read more

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Why You Must Display Your Classroom Management Plan

Michael Linsin — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:01:45 +0000

When I visit classrooms, I rarely see a classroom management plan posted. It’s the first thing I look for. Because it tells me a lot about the teacher. Namely, the importance they place on protecting students from disruptions in learning. Here are six other ... Read more

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How Great Teachers Teach Lessons (Their Secrets)

Michael Linsin — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 23:17:02 +0000

Great teachers teach lessons differently than their colleagues. It’s why their students are more engaged, productive, studious, and academically competent. Yes, there is a classroom management component to their success. Great teachers are experts in this area too. But lessons form the backbone of ... Read more

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Why Teacher Calmness Equals Better Behavior

Michael Linsin — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:48:23 +0000

Here at SCM, we embrace simple things that have a big impact. Maintaining a calm disposition is one of those things. If you do nothing else, if you make no other changes to your teaching practice, you’ll notice some surprising effects. You’ll experience what ... Read more

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Your 2025-26 Smart Classroom Management Report Card

Michael Linsin — Fri, 29 May 2026 23:13:50 +0000

At the end of every school year we post a report card for teachers. The purpose is to assess the degree you were able to follow the principles of Smart Classroom Management. It takes just a few minutes to fill out, but the experience ... Read more

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The Follow-Through Mistake Teachers Keep Making

Michael Linsin — Fri, 22 May 2026 23:12:08 +0000

If you follow your classroom management plan every time a student breaks a rule, you’re ahead of 95 percent of teachers. Most never get there. However, despite your consistency, if you make this one mistake during your follow-through, you’ll undermine the most important factor ... Read more

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The Moment Classroom Behavior Always Gets Worse

Michael Linsin — Fri, 15 May 2026 21:19:01 +0000

There is a moment when classroom behavior always gets worse. It is a moment that is entirely controlled by the teacher. Yet, few teachers are aware of it. The moment consists of something the teacher does—or, more accurately, doesn’t do. It also typically gets ... Read more

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13 Hidden Signs Your Class Is Out Of Control

Michael Linsin — Fri, 08 May 2026 23:06:18 +0000

Many teachers have an out-of-control class and don’t realize it. Maybe it’s because they’ve gotten so used to chaos and disrespect that they think it’s normal. Maybe they’ve never actually observed a polite, well-behaved class before. Maybe no one has told them the hard ... Read more

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Does Being Too Nice Cause Misbehavior?

Michael Linsin — Fri, 01 May 2026 22:44:43 +0000

The idea that being too nice is the reason you’re struggling with classroom management is a misunderstanding of why students misbehave. This is a common belief and why you often hear the following advice: “Don’t smile the first two months of the school year.” ... Read more

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Why Students Ignore Your Directions

Michael Linsin — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:33:21 +0000

It’s among the most frustrating classroom management problems. You give directions and your students either ignore them or they . . . kinda-sorta follow them. grudgingly follow them. try but fail to follow them. So you reteach. You remind. You narrate. But the problem ... Read more

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