1-2-3 Magic for Teachers: Effective Classroom Discipline Pre-K through Grade 8

by Thomas W. Phelan, Sarah Jane Schonour

Based on the bestselling parenting book 1-2-3 Magic "If you only have time to read one book about managing student behavior, make it this one." "This book is a great resource for new teachers and veteran teachers." The fastest way to get back to what you love--teaching! Being a teacher can be one of the most rewarding professions, but also one of the most frustrating. Many teachers feel very prepared to instruct students in their chosen subjects, but don't have quite as much training in managing classroom discipline-yet experienced educators know that if challenging behavior goes unchecked, the entire year can be disrupted. 1-2-3 Magic for Teachers shows teachers how to establish and maintain good discipline habits in their classrooms through an easy-to-understand program that you'll swear "works like magic." 1-2-3 Magic for Teachers will help you • How to encourage courteous classroom behavior and constructive work habits
• How your personality affects your teaching style
• How to effectively manage transition times with your class
• Successful methods for handling assemblies, recess, lunchtime, and field trips
• How to communicate productively with parents 1-2-3 Magic for Teachers takes the guesswork out of classroom discipline and will help you get back to teaching and your students get back to learning-today!

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting, Teaching

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Berls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the simple way the ideas for classroom management were presented in this book. There's explanation, followed by examples and scenarios. The concept is an equally easy one to implement in the classroom - I tried it out the last month of school and found it really effective and plan to continue using it in the future. For me, the 1-2-3 method is the "meat" of the book - for stop behaviors. They have a whole other section for "start" behaviors focusing on rewards and relationships and - while that's useful for sure, I don't think that's really the area most of us struggle with. At least not me. I think this system would work well with Love and Logic, a management method I like. The narration was enjoyable and easy to listen to, though I could see wanting a physical copy to refer back to more easily. I found myself leaving little bookmarks throughout so I could refer back to parts as I was implementing in my own classroom.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a beginning teacher with anxiety, reading books on classroom management is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, they give you some great ideas. On the other, they always imply that unless you follow their system without the slightest deviation, your classroom will be a disaster. This book is no exception.

[H. · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author knew his idea was too basic for an actual book, so he filled the pages with his ignorance about how kids actually talk and think and the education system in general. Some just okay ideas wrapped in an amazingly disappointing and insultingly poorly written book that self-promotes itself a couple of times a chapter as something you should give a sales-pitch for to everyone you know.

[Marci · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt like the ideas were simple, so they added a lot of unnecessary words to make the book longer. I got the idea quickly and then grew bored with all the other explanations. I will try it this year, however I’m worried about what the kids do in time out. I feel there should be something they do instead of just getting out of work.

[Kayley Hartley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t finish reading this book, got to chapter 7 when they finally introduced the strategy to find that it was 2 warnings and then time out. Not very gentle and not something I would like to implement at school or at home

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much common sense. I’m looking forward to trying this out when school starts again.

[Beth Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info and good scenarios to show how to use the ideas suggested.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could be updated to go deeper but sometimes simple is best.

[Marguarite Markley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you feel like you're at your wits end with your uncontrollable classroom? If the answer is yes, then this is definitely worth reading. The authors clearly lay out their 1-2-3 discipline program for controlling undesirable behavior, encouraging good behavior, and maintaining healthy relationships with your students. It is a well-written book with many useful scenarios on how to react to your students. The authors explain the importance of praise in addition to discipline and explain the difference between "Stop" and "Start" behavior. Also useful are the sections of the book suggesting how to build good relationships with all of your students, on how to use this program with special needs students, and on how to garner support from the administration.

[WhizKid · Rating 1 out of 5]

Benefits of Counting

1.Energy savings
2.More time for work and fun
3. Authority not negotiable
4. Punishment short and sweet
5. Easy for others to learn

World's two stupidest questions: Who started it? What happened? unless the child is physically injured.
When there is a child causing a disturbance,

1.Do nothing for 15~30 seconds
2. Offer the child a choice of calming or accepting a time out alternative
3. Office referral


Six kinds of testing and manipulation
1. badgering "please please please" "just this once!"
2. temper "
3. threat "I'm going to run home"
4. martyrdom "No one likes me anymore" "You like her more than me"
5. Butter up "I'll do double hw"
6. physical tactics (The child throws a book)

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for some way to begin a discipline plan for the new school year. Several teacher in my school use this plan, so I thought I should read the book. I like it. It is informative and clearly explains how to implement the program. It also provides numerous scenarios. It gave me some good ideas!

[April Scheivelhud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great no non-sense tool to use in the classroom or at home. I love the philosophy behind this book. Children are not little adults. They expect some sense of expectation,consistency, and stability. 1,2,3 Magic provides these things. This book has a lot of helpful hints and scenarios for teachers to ponder.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this at school for a book study and it was very helpful. Managing students' behavior is a never-ending battle for us teachers. The authors give a good plan for eliminating negative behaviors as well as trying to foster positive behaviors. It really emphasizes that establishing good relationships with your students is pretty much key to everything.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Easy to read, good advice

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The classroom management concepts were great. Although I didn't utilize it exactly, I was able to devise a technique that works for me as a substitute teacher . . . so far!

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I have my own class someday, I will definitely use these techniques for behaviour management!

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it works for parents, why wouldn't it work for teachers?