Smart Classroom Management

21 Questions To Ask Yourself Before The First Day Of School

Michael Linsin — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:54:26 +0000

In 2018, I wrote a similar article that included 14 questions. It resonated with a lot of teachers because it helped prepare them for the best year of teaching they’d ever had. Other than a few tweaks, I’ve left most of the original questions ... Read more

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Why Being Tested The First Day Of School Is Good News

Michael Linsin — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 23:50:26 +0000

So a student tests you on the first day of school. They laugh while you’re teaching your classroom management plan. They pull out their phone right in front of you. They ignore you and goof off with their old friends. For many teachers, being ... Read more

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19 Things That Make You A Pushover

Michael Linsin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 00:12:58 +0000

One question on every student’s mind the first day of school is whether or not their teacher is a pushover. It’s natural. They want to know what they can get away with, where the line is. And the answer comes easily. They just need ... Read more

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Great Classroom Management With Your Eyes Closed

Michael Linsin — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 23:47:17 +0000

Visualization is a powerful tool that can improve your classroom management. And now is the perfect time. Summer break allows you to reflect on the previous school year with fresh eyes and an unclouded look to the future. Journaling and diagraming can help. But ... Read more

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How To Lock-In Your Classroom Management Plan

Michael Linsin — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 22:57:07 +0000

After you’ve taught, modeled, and practiced your classroom management plan the first week of school, there is a strategy that locks it in place for your students. It takes timing and keen observation. But it’s extremely powerful. Because it sends the message to your ... Read more

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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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