Classroom Behaviour: A Practical Guide to Effective Teaching, Behaviour Management and Colleague Support

by Bill A. Rogers

In this Third Edition of his bestselling book, Bill Rogers looks at the issues facing teachers working in today′s classrooms. Describing real situations and dilemmas, he offers advice on dealing with the challenges of the job, and how building up a rapport with both students and colleagues can support good practice. Bill Rogers understands the demanding nature of the job, and offers wise words and inspirational encouragement to all those involved in educating our children and young people.

Genres: Nonfiction, Teaching, Education, School, Reference

280 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2000

About the author

Dr W.A. Rogers: B.Th.(Hons.), Dip.Min., Dip.Teach., B.Ed.(Melb), M.Ed.(Melb) Ph.D.(Melb) F.A.C.E., Fellow of the Australian College of Education; Honorary Life Fellow of All Saints and Trinity College : Leeds University, Honorary Fellow: Melbourne University Graduate School of Education

Bill Rogers is an education consultant. A teacher by profession, Bill now lectures widely on discipline and behaviour management issues; classroom management; stress and teaching; colleague support; developing peer-support programs for teachers and developing community-oriented policies for behaviour management, based on whole-school approaches.

Reviews

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to have a look at the website http://study.sagepub.com/rogers4e to watch some videos of Bill teaching and maybe photocopy a few of the pages of the book, (less than 10%), to keep as a reference.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on classroom and behaviour management I have had the pleasure of reading. A comprehensive, theory-based approach with practical applications on how to manage disruptive behaviour in classroom settings. I first read this working in an inner city school as a trainee teacher; it revolutionized my approach to how I dealt with pupils' behaviour and as I reread it this week for a workshop on behaviour I was struck by how many of these things still unconsciously inform my classroom management style. Rogers focuses on positive behaviour management, relaxed vigilance, developing relationships, creating opportunities for co-operation rather than conflict, and the subtle changes that we can make to our language to help achieve all this. Highly recommended!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great practical examples and tips to turn around a challenging class.

[Shaun Helsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vitally useful book in understanding how best to manage behaviour in a classroom. Too often, teachers rely on shouting and ranting as pupils to get them to focus. While this works sometimes, it has a remarkably short shelf life, especially if the teacher's voice fails them because (inevitably) their throat is going to go. Plus, what do you do if a student is not intimidated but entertained by the teacher shouting and making a show of themselves before them? They sit back, smile, even laugh at how their refusal to do as they're told has made the teacher a much more entertaining class clown.

This is a book that many may dismiss as being too soft on children, not being hard lined with them enough. I thought so too, but then, as Roger's implores, think back on who you as a student liked as a teacher, or would have liked. Not a shouter, but someone who worked to understand your perspective and was a reasoned, assertive leader within the classroom, able to quell chaos by simply showing they held the biggest stick in the classroom rather than using it.

Roger's rules are simple and that is precisely why they are so effective - forced choice, directing over ordering, patience over insistence, being an adult rather than being a shouter or a friend to the students. End of the day, children actually want to be told what to do and it is up to the teacher to do this in the most effective way. By treating them as people, not animals.

Definitely hard recommend this book to any teacher starting on their careers, especially ones who want to discipline a class with a method beyond shouting but with routine, respect and showing your pupils you care about them as individuals, because, that's what education really is: not moulding the students to get a perfect result in an exam, but moulding them in to decent people who can go out into the world and live a life that positively impacts others.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably amongst the most useful educational books I have read this year, purely due to its practicality, this book is also rather pleasantly readable which is rather unusual for a text of this length. I am sure I will go back to this, as the text is good both overall and specific to situations that I may or may not experience in the classroom, mixed with everyday behaviour issues. I really do recommend this book to anyone who has to do behaviour management in schools.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a first year teacher who sometimes struggles with classroom management, I found this book extremely useful. It was filled with practical, applicable tips and tricks on managing disruptive classroom behavior and engaging students in the learning process. I highly recommend it to new and veteran teachers alike.

[locks · Rating 5 out of 5]

If like myself, you are here because this on a list of recommended readings for an essay you have to write, then id encourage you to actually read it.

Very insightful, with real life anecdotes that take you back to the classroom environment. The book teaches patience, reflectiveness whilst also eliminating bad practices. Great read!

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has practical, positive and helpful strategies for classroom management, which are useful for all teachers. This will be something to dip back into on occasions when needed.

I found the writing style to be overly punctuated, which disrupted the flow of reading and made it a real chore to get through sections.

[MrBReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book on behaviour that I have read and, after hearing great things about Bill Rogers, a real bargain when I found it in a charity shop!
This books provides clear strategies for dealing with behaviour in Primary and, especially, Secondary Schools and I have been able to put into practice some of the ideas in my role as a Primary School Teaching Assistant hoping to go into whole-class teaching.
Whilst Rogers does attempt to include Primary Schools, the focus is clearly on Secondary behaviours. Should a Primary practitioner be considering the book they would be wise to remember this and, instead of simply disregarding it, be prepared to glean the general wisdom of the approaches recommended, even if some of the case studies are not directly applicable.
I thoroughly recommend having a read with an open mind and a willingness to adapt and implement some of the ideas suggested therein.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential read for all primary school teachers - 5*

This is a definite must read for all primary school teachers. I picked up this book for my assignment (which focuses on behaviour management) and I was absorbed by this book. This book is delightful; it contains real life case studies, helpful suggestions and organised efficiently to allow all readers to engage with.

I commend Bill Rogers because his writing, experience and knowledge is fantastic.

A brilliant read. This book will actually affect how you work in the classroom.

[Lee Johnston]

Practical tips/strategies on behaviour management in the classroom. Useful for NQTs and experienced teachers alike.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read - hopefully will prove helpful in due course

[Margrét · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant. Will be reading again and taking extensive notes.

[Thomas Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and actionable steps to improve classroom practice and much more