Classroom Management

by Jim Burke

This first in a series of essential guides for teachers offers classroom teachers concise, effective solutions to the most common instructional challenges they face. These solutions are based on a combination of research and the author's own experience as a public school teacher. Classroom management is about not only creating an effective classroom environment but reducing teachers’ stress, increasing productivity—for both teachers and students—and ensuring a safe, equitable environment committed to the proposition that all kids can learn and succeed.

Genres: Professional Development, Teaching, Education

133 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

A longtime English teacher, Jim Burke is the author of more than 20 books and senior consultant for the Holt McDougal Literature program. Jim has received several awards, including the 2000 NCTE Exemplary English Leadership Award. In 2009, he created the English Companion Ning―the largest online community of English teachers in the world. More recently, Jim has served on the AP English Course and Exam Review Commission and the PARCC Consortium.

Reviews

[Mr. C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I'm a fan of Jim Burke; I have seen him speak at a conference, and I've also benefitted from his English teacher specific book that was assigned reading during my grad school program. As a public school teacher of four years who teaches (this year, at least) generally apathetic "standard level" high school students (in classes of no less than 28), I was hoping that this book would provide me with specific strategies related to the management of cell phones in the current BYOD/"don't ask, don't tell" technology world and also provide me with some new ideas for combatting the more troublesome students I seem to have more of each passing year. This book seems to assume that all students will respond to logical consequences and logical management structures (and that they care/they have parents committed to their children's education). The behavior of a pissed off teenager (and some of my students really do, in my mind, have some legitimate reasons for being angry...) is anything but logical. I've had success making my classroom a generally "safe and accepting environment," but I often feel my increased role as psychologist/counselor/spirit guide comes at the expense of maintaining the no-nonsense holistic and "common core aligned" instruction I've been charged with instilling in them (cue standardized test). My good days are great, but my "bad" days are demoralizing beyond compare. Was hoping (I know, I know... I'm looking for the silver bullet) my man Jim here could solve all life's problems. Alas, not so.

That (the fact that this book doesn't solve MY problems) isn't why I gave the book 2 stars.

Jim's book (at least the electronic device section) is simply obsolete 8 years after its publication (I can't recall seeing "cell phones" referenced once). He talks about establishing an "electronic device policy" but that's it. For the truly uninitiated, this might be a great philosophical/theoretical introduction to "getting Billy to fall in line" (assuming Billy doesn't tell you to go "f" yourself and walk out of the room when you calmly request his phone--after you've caught him playing Madden '15 for the umpteenth time instead of completing his dialectical journal entry). And no, ISS, OSS, and calling parents doesn't always work. Angry, disenchanted-with-English-Billy is ultimately stuffed back in your class, more pissed off than ever. Now what?

Just assign him a new seat, right? Increase your proximity (but not too close!) to his desk when he acts out. Speak to him after class. Talk to him about the importance of The Canterbury Tales and how badass Macbeth is (and how that totally relates to his part time job at Hardee's). And then he tells you about his meth-addled step mom who hawked his PlayStation for more drugs. Problem solved! And what happens when you have five or six "Billy" kids in each class? Should there be a chapter in here about "identifying a hopeless situation and starting your illustrious career as a Wal-Mart greeter (I'm talking about me, not the kids)"? I think so...

What about kids who persistently fail/sleep/mouth off and honestly WANT to get booted out of class? And when the administration plugs them back in your room 30 minutes later? Or the kids that you'd rather didn't show up at all because they literally suck the energy out of the entire class with their negativity? How do I handle that?

In a perfect world (a private school? A sought after charter school just itching to evict chronic troublemakers?) this book might provide a decent foundation for someone just getting started (and maybe I'm way off base for being this critical... ). Bottom line, for those of you really struggling with the borderline criminally insane (or the "just really struggling with life" types) 15-20 year olds out there, this ain't gonna help...

Maybe I just need to go to Marine Corps boot camp? Get my PhD in psychology? Quit teaching in public schools (lord knows our "good" students are leaving in droves to go to public charters and private schools)? I love my kids (even if it sounds like I don't), but their issues are so varied and numerous I don't know where to start. If anyone has any recommendations for a transformative classroom management book, hook a brother up!!

[Neana Lueck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great guide to have handy in your desk drawer. It is full of tips and tricks to successful classroom management. Burke is great on reminding teachers that great classroom management right from the beginning is an essential key to successful learning.

[Joel Wally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful stuff in here!

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great deal of management techniques are presented. It's a great reference to keep, and it's not too expensive.

[Corinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is solid, but not as useful for experienced teachers as "The First Days of School." Would be fabulous for new teachers, though.

[Cynthia Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, provides usable information, is a quick reference if stuck for ideas.

[Sirpa Grierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and practical. Burke at his best.

[Kdeakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct and practical. What every teacher needs!

[Mariam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Burke is concise in this quick-read.