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The Classroom Management Secret: And 45 Other Keys to a Well-Behaved Class
From how to set up an easy-to-use classroom management plan to how to handle difficult students, The Classroom Management Secret will equip you with everything you need to effectively manage your classroom, regardless of where you teach or who shows up on your roster.
Based on the popular blog, Smart Classroom Management, the book progresses step-by-step through 45 time-tested strategies, showing you how to manage your classroom in a way that inspires students to want to behave. Binding these strategies together is a little-known secret shared by the most exceptional teachers, those remembered and beloved for a lifetime.
By the end of the book, you'll have the knowledge to free your classroom of misbehavior and disrespect, build easy rapport with your students, and teach with a spirit of joy and passion that you've always longed for.
Based on the popular blog, Smart Classroom Management, the book progresses step-by-step through 45 time-tested strategies, showing you how to manage your classroom in a way that inspires students to want to behave. Binding these strategies together is a little-known secret shared by the most exceptional teachers, those remembered and beloved for a lifetime.
By the end of the book, you'll have the knowledge to free your classroom of misbehavior and disrespect, build easy rapport with your students, and teach with a spirit of joy and passion that you've always longed for.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2013
794 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 27, 2024
I enjoyed this book quite a lot and felt that I learned about being a more effective teacher. Some of it I felt was a bit repetitive, however, it's split into easy-to-read sections so it didn't feel slow/long. I liked being able to just read a quick section or two a day! Definitely recommend.
August 21, 2022
A straightforward and excellent look on how to balance joy with accountability in the classroom!
July 24, 2023
4.5
There is alot of wisdom in this book. As a teacher going into my 3rd year there are things I read in this book that I have never heard before. One of my favorite quotes mentioned when it comes to dealing with difficult students is “you are not the judge you are the referee”
There is a lot of advice from this that I will be implementing in my classroom this year. My only complaint and why I didn’t give 5 stars is there are certain pieces of advice that contradict the training in our district such as the chapter on “how not to praise”. Overall a great work that I recommend for all my friends in education!
There is alot of wisdom in this book. As a teacher going into my 3rd year there are things I read in this book that I have never heard before. One of my favorite quotes mentioned when it comes to dealing with difficult students is “you are not the judge you are the referee”
There is a lot of advice from this that I will be implementing in my classroom this year. My only complaint and why I didn’t give 5 stars is there are certain pieces of advice that contradict the training in our district such as the chapter on “how not to praise”. Overall a great work that I recommend for all my friends in education!
February 12, 2021
It's like finding the Holy Grail
This book is so inspiring, so useful, so solidly practical and helpful. I just devoured it, finding wonderful ideas on every page. It sets out a clear and simple road map to having an amazing class, and every idea rings true. For a teacher like me, who may have been losing the thread a little, feeling worn down and worried about how to hold the class together, it's like a drink of water on a hot day. After reading this book, I feel ready for anything, my energy and passion for teaching renewed, and am eager to begin the process of making my class into the best in my school!
This book is so inspiring, so useful, so solidly practical and helpful. I just devoured it, finding wonderful ideas on every page. It sets out a clear and simple road map to having an amazing class, and every idea rings true. For a teacher like me, who may have been losing the thread a little, feeling worn down and worried about how to hold the class together, it's like a drink of water on a hot day. After reading this book, I feel ready for anything, my energy and passion for teaching renewed, and am eager to begin the process of making my class into the best in my school!
August 17, 2022
Not a terrible book by any means but it was lacking in examples, application in actual classrooms and made a lot of assumptions and generalizations about classrooms. I liked the start of the book but then realized many tips were repetitive and surface level. “Don’t do this…” but never gave a specific idea of what to do instead. I did not agree with every single idea the author had which is normal. Most of this wasn’t new information so maybe it’s more fit for a new teacher instead of one who is 6 years in. Was just hoping this was a classroom management book for a teacher with experience and it was not. It was more of a review of what I already knew.
June 30, 2018
I wish every teacher had to read this book before graduation.
His tips are so logical, so filled with common sense, I can't believe I ever tried to manage a class differently. And it all starts with a great plan, modelled by you down to the last detail, and is finished off with building rapport with your students. I can't recommend this book enough to all teachers wherever they are in their teaching career.
His tips are so logical, so filled with common sense, I can't believe I ever tried to manage a class differently. And it all starts with a great plan, modelled by you down to the last detail, and is finished off with building rapport with your students. I can't recommend this book enough to all teachers wherever they are in their teaching career.
June 8, 2016
Bullseye!
Practical, easy to read, inspiring, positive , and spot on for ANY teacher! I am an excellent math teacher but that doesn't matter one bit if no one is listening. I must be an excellent classroom manager and the secret is consistency. This book even tells you HOW to be consistent!
Practical, easy to read, inspiring, positive , and spot on for ANY teacher! I am an excellent math teacher but that doesn't matter one bit if no one is listening. I must be an excellent classroom manager and the secret is consistency. This book even tells you HOW to be consistent!
March 13, 2024
I appreciated some of the ideas and strategies in this book, but some felt unattainable for where I am at as a teacher. I do think this would be most helpful to read right before the beginning of a school year, and it's given me some ideas to start the coming school year in terms of management. Overall, a worthwhile read.
March 19, 2018
Slow Down and Model What You Want
Well written and with brevity. Make your routines visible and clear. Show students what you want.
Great reminder and this can be used at anytime in the school year.
I applied these strategies and found results slowly, but surely.
Thank you!
Well written and with brevity. Make your routines visible and clear. Show students what you want.
Great reminder and this can be used at anytime in the school year.
I applied these strategies and found results slowly, but surely.
Thank you!
December 3, 2024
I’d love an updated version examining the effect of Covid on behavior and how to deal with it.
August 18, 2021
I would be a bad teacher without this book. That is the review.
June 8, 2023
Bring on this next school year!
I am going into my second year of teaching, and I am kicking myself for not reading this book this time last year.
Like so many teachers, I struggled with classroom management last year and made several of the mistakes mentioned throughout the book. I let so much slide in my classroom and even nearly became friends with the students. I just wanted to be “liked.” I had a terrible year, which was entirely my fault (no matter how many times I tried to blame the students).
Now, thanks to this book, I know how to prevent myself from making the same mistakes this coming year. This school year is going to be the best one yet. I cannot wait to apply everything I read in this book! Thank you!
I am going into my second year of teaching, and I am kicking myself for not reading this book this time last year.
Like so many teachers, I struggled with classroom management last year and made several of the mistakes mentioned throughout the book. I let so much slide in my classroom and even nearly became friends with the students. I just wanted to be “liked.” I had a terrible year, which was entirely my fault (no matter how many times I tried to blame the students).
Now, thanks to this book, I know how to prevent myself from making the same mistakes this coming year. This school year is going to be the best one yet. I cannot wait to apply everything I read in this book! Thank you!
June 24, 2021
I feel so elated that my school bought a copy of this book for all its teachers this year. What a gift! This book contains a followable recipe for a great year in any teacher’s classroom!
From reminding us why it’s important to keep our classroom management plan even when we feel like loosening up a little, to helping us loosen up on the feeling that we can’t show our personality or humor or even smile freely in the classroom, this book highlights the best qualities of the best teachers and how to copy them.
This book is fantastic reading for every single person expecting to lead a group of students to excel. If I could give it six stars, I would!
From reminding us why it’s important to keep our classroom management plan even when we feel like loosening up a little, to helping us loosen up on the feeling that we can’t show our personality or humor or even smile freely in the classroom, this book highlights the best qualities of the best teachers and how to copy them.
This book is fantastic reading for every single person expecting to lead a group of students to excel. If I could give it six stars, I would!
July 19, 2021
Excellent Classroom Management Book
Written in a concise and no nonsense way, that will teach you how to change the dynamics of your classroom. Whether you are a new or a veteran teacher you will benefit from the valuable tools that the author provides to help you take ownership for your classroom mis-management, how to fix it quickly, and have students buy in. Perfect for teachers who are looking for intrinsic motivation only management. No more prize boxes, pizza parties, and stickers to get students to conform.
Written in a concise and no nonsense way, that will teach you how to change the dynamics of your classroom. Whether you are a new or a veteran teacher you will benefit from the valuable tools that the author provides to help you take ownership for your classroom mis-management, how to fix it quickly, and have students buy in. Perfect for teachers who are looking for intrinsic motivation only management. No more prize boxes, pizza parties, and stickers to get students to conform.
October 17, 2023
I don’t really go for nonfiction/self help kinda books, but this was recommended by a fellow teacher. I think we assume we know everything just because our classroom seems to run smoothly, but there’s always more to learn. I genuinely learned a few things that surprised me. 4/5 stars just because I don’t think things are as black and white as the author made them seem to be.
Quick read that I’ll probably look over again every year before school starts!
Quick read that I’ll probably look over again every year before school starts!
November 10, 2024
Amazing, logical, and encouraging book. I’m trying all these methods even after 35 years of teaching. My favorite is the quiet pause. Works wonders. My only wish is that more could be focused on the brand new kindergarten students who are learning to focus and behave in a brand new classroom. I would love to hear more about the little ones. They always seem to get left out. In any case I found this book very helpful and easy to follow and apple. Logical methods. Thank you Michael.
December 3, 2022
This was informative but somewhat repetitive and lacking in examples. A good fast read, good review and reminders. Some good advice, but I wish there was more, especially for me who is trying to become a better teacher and get past some challenging kid behaviors as a somewhat newbie in the early childhood field. Overall decent read and glad I read it, 2.5 to 3 stars.
August 20, 2023
A good read for new teachers and also for veteran teachers who have grown tired and frustrated over the course of the year due to an exceptionally spirited class. I didn’t learn anything new, but this book will remind us how to draw those lines in the sand while protecting relationships founded on respect.
March 13, 2024
It was a helpful book. It goes along very well with PBIS, which are very positive practices of classroom management. The chapters are super short, which my ADHD brain loves! The basics are the same in every article and book I read on discipline: 1) Routines are key. 2) Consistency is key. 3) Discipline should be dispassionate.
August 28, 2024
As a teacher for 20 years, I wish I had this years ago! While I do implement many of the secrets and felt validated reading a lot of it, there were so many great ideas and such quality information. I wanted to give this book to numerous teachers. It’s friendly to read, well organized, and so, so good!!!
April 28, 2020
A good survivalist guide for dealing with difficult situations. It pampers to teenage moods and needs so I really doubt it helps the pupil in the long run, but it helps you as a teacher. An uncomfortable, but essential read for determined educators.
September 13, 2020
Recommended to my staff
This was an excellent summary of best practice for classroom management. It is also affirming and encouraging. There is a you can do it done throughout. Pure wisdom.
This was an excellent summary of best practice for classroom management. It is also affirming and encouraging. There is a you can do it done throughout. Pure wisdom.
August 7, 2021
Great Read
Very quick read and very, very useful! I really stink at classroom management and after reading this book, I feel like I can do something different this year and I can have the class I want. It’s going to take hard work but, I can do this!
Very quick read and very, very useful! I really stink at classroom management and after reading this book, I feel like I can do something different this year and I can have the class I want. It’s going to take hard work but, I can do this!
February 6, 2022
great reminder and strategies
Whether you are a long time teacher or a newbie, this book has a lot of great ideas and strategies to use. It is one of those books you will want to read a little at a time and implement.
Whether you are a long time teacher or a newbie, this book has a lot of great ideas and strategies to use. It is one of those books you will want to read a little at a time and implement.
July 14, 2022
Lots of good ideas and thoughts about what makes a good classroom management plan. The books seems geared toward elementary students, but most of it can be tailored to high school as well. Very informative and helpful.
August 11, 2022
Going into my 19th year of teaching and wanted a classroom management refresh/reset. A great mix of affirming some good things I have in place as well as some things to improve on. Going to pass along to my student teacher to look at as it is very, very good and practical.
October 11, 2023
Very practical guide with sound reasoning.
If you find your class running you instead of you running your class then this book is a commonsense guide to regain your class and enjoy teaching again.
If you find your class running you instead of you running your class then this book is a commonsense guide to regain your class and enjoy teaching again.
May 28, 2024
This was a great read! It gave me many new ideas to try and great rationale behind the actions he recommends taking. This book is laid out in an easy to read/easy to follow format. I highly recommended this for ANY teacher.
July 6, 2024
Insightful and inspiring!
Excellent read - small bite-sized chunks of advice that I enjoyed reading throughout my first year of teaching. Lots of experience and insightful wisdom.
Excellent read - small bite-sized chunks of advice that I enjoyed reading throughout my first year of teaching. Lots of experience and insightful wisdom.
Read
July 12, 2024this is a really well organized book and gave lots of great examples of how to simplify classroom management. I would suggest it to anyone working in a classroom setting. Hopefully some of the info will be as effective as he makes it seem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews