Cracking the Hard Class

by Bill A. Rogers

Praise for the First Edition : `In Cracking the Hard Class , the undisputed master of behaviour management, Bill Rogers, shows us that being an effective teacher isn′t a result of God-given gifts of charisma and presence, but can be developed through a series of specific skills and learns actions. It′s one of the mot useful books around for new teachers… If you can catch him live on one of his UK roadshows, you′re in for a real treat. This practical approach from a writer who has clearly retained at least a notional foot in the classroom is the one that works best for me′ - Geoff Barton, The Times Education Supplement `This book would certainly be invaluable to colleagues in the school where some had done the course and others had learnt it second hand. It would have a place in the staffroom of most schools, especially in the secondary sector. Bill Rogers is clearly a charismatic teacher what he offers is based on secure knowledge of child psychology, classroom dynamics and staffroom politics′ - Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties `This is an excellent book for teachers at any key stage who have one or more "difficult" pupils in their class, as well as those with the "hard class". It provides simple and effective behaviour management strategies and makes you realise you are not alone and that it′s okay to have a bad day. It mainly discusses secondary education but does refer to primary. Many of the strategies are suitable for all levels anyway. An absolute must-have for a teacher′ - Amazon Review At some point in every teacher′s career he/she will encounter the `hard class′ and from day one the countdown to the end of the day, term and year is on in earnest. But as demanding as it may be, a difficult class does not have to dominate and permeate through all waking moments. Bill Rogers, in Cracking the Hard Class , Second Edition , highlights many practical strategies that can be implemented to overcome the hard class syndrome. These identifying what makes a class `hard′; developing a class behaviour plan; developing colleague support; following up on disruptive students; changing patterns of bad behaviour; and assisting relief teachers and the hard class. As well as constructive ideas and strategies, Cracking the Hard Class , Second Edition also highlights the normality of the pressures and stress felt by teachers dealing with these classes.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 1997

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

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sure there were gems in this book, but I didn't find anything particularly useful for me. Roger's gives a broad overview of ways to prepare for pupils, but I would have found his ideas more practical if there had been less bredth/suggestion and more depth/application. Not for me. I was recommended this book however, so I'm perplexed at how underwhelming this was to read?!

Maybe I was prejudiced from the start - I do not believe in 'hard' classes in the way that Rogers' describes! His vagueness about what a 'hard' class is and his insistence that pupils can be 'cracked' is a statment that insists pupils are problems to solve, which I think is a nonsense attitude held by (too) many teaching staff. Pupils' behaviour may be difficult in many respects, but they need to be guided and heard -- not 'saved' or broken or cured.

[Donkeysaurusrex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing resource when teaching my class, on whom multiple supply teachers had walked out and other staff wouldn't touch. Bill Rogers is the guru of behaviour management and got me through my first couple of weeks when the children were testing my limits to the max as well as later on when we had incidents! Ultimately though the techniques are fair and consistent and children respect that so this book aided me in building up the great relationships we finished the term with as well as in teaching effectively. Highly recommended.

[Mary Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very helpful and useful book for any teacher who is working in a difficult class. There is plenty of advice and practical ideas. I'm looking forward to teaching my class in two weeks, I feel so prepared and organized. It's given me a confidence boost to deal with the tough year ahead !

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good for my professional development but not my essay - 3*