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Dream Class: How To Transform Any Group Of Students Into The Class You've Always Wanted
In Dream Class , you will learn the 15 keys that make the greatest difference in the classroom. Written from the unique perspective that everything you do affects classroom management, each key will help you create the class you've always your dream class. They will free you to love your job, build effortless and influential relationships with your students, and enable you to become a happier, calmer, and more confident teacher.
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 18, 2018
Having read and benefitted from Michael Linsin’s Classroom Management for Art, Music, and PE Teachers, I wanted to be sure to read his first book, Dream Class: How To Transform Any Group Of Students Into The Class You've Always Wanted. I’m now in an elementary school after having spent all 14 years of my career in high school.
Linsin’s book has lots of good advice about how to maintain control of a challenging class and how best to maintain consistency. I disagree that, for a good teacher, there’s never a year with a challenging class, but I love the book all the same. This book is best for teachers in elementary school, but there are good tips for those in middle and high schools, too.
Linsin’s book has lots of good advice about how to maintain control of a challenging class and how best to maintain consistency. I disagree that, for a good teacher, there’s never a year with a challenging class, but I love the book all the same. This book is best for teachers in elementary school, but there are good tips for those in middle and high schools, too.
June 18, 2012
I stumbled onto Mr. Linsin’s blog several months ago and liked what he had to say, so I bought a copy of Dream Class. I’ll be beginning my twelfth year of teaching this fall, and I’ve read a lot of classroom management books. There isn’t necessarily a lot that is NEW in Dream Class, but it was a great refresher. While there are 15 “keys” Mr. Linsin write about, the one that hits me where I live is being absolutely consistent about holding students accountable. I know better, but I find myself giving a student “one more warning” or deciding to “have a talk” (AKA plead/cajole/lecture) rather than simply letting the student experience the consequence. The chapter on accountability (and related blog posts) gave me a new sense of confidence in trusting my classroom management plan. I also appreciated the chapters on modeling of procedures and cultivating independence. Some of the book seemed to skew toward younger elementary students, but I found most of the book applicable to my sixth grade class.
I did sometimes find the tone of the book off-putting. Over and over, Mr. Linsin uses anecdotes that feature him witnessing another teacher being ineffective (or horribly unprofessional), and his reflecting on or advising that teacher how to do things better. He is successful with students that no one else can reach, is the one voice of truth in a meeting where everyone else is making excuses, etc. I wished he’d included some instances where he fell on his face—or was just less than perfect-- and learned something from it!
Despite that one issue, the book is helpful and the blog is great. I e-mailed Mr. Linsin with a question recently about one his strategies. He e-mailed back within a few days with a detailed and friendly response.
I did sometimes find the tone of the book off-putting. Over and over, Mr. Linsin uses anecdotes that feature him witnessing another teacher being ineffective (or horribly unprofessional), and his reflecting on or advising that teacher how to do things better. He is successful with students that no one else can reach, is the one voice of truth in a meeting where everyone else is making excuses, etc. I wished he’d included some instances where he fell on his face—or was just less than perfect-- and learned something from it!
Despite that one issue, the book is helpful and the blog is great. I e-mailed Mr. Linsin with a question recently about one his strategies. He e-mailed back within a few days with a detailed and friendly response.
June 18, 2013
I started off with such high hopes for this book--I had my highlighter uncapped and ready to go; my sticky notes prepared; and my notebook waiting for me to jot down notes. As the book progressed, though, I found less and less useful information and soon realized that this book is something I'll never be. I don't mean that I'll never be an effective teacher, I just mean I could never be this hard. I just flat-out disagree with some (a lot) of the things he says. He talks about how he doesn't give problem students any more attention than he would other kids: I mean, isn't that just what some of them need? Some kids get no attention whatsoever at home (hence the poor behavior) and they just want to feel special, feel loved. I didn't feel the love in this book. I get the sense that this man cares deeply about his students, but I just didn't feel love. I know that may make me soft, and blah blah blah, but I could never, would never, want to be the kind of teacher he presents in this book. I found this book to be more an exaltation of how he is a great teacher and everyone else around him sucks than it was anything I could use in my class.
April 22, 2019
I love Linsin and his teaching tips. I have implemented SOME of his ideas and will continue to work on my skill set towards becoming an exceptional teacher will a dream class/es of my own.
Recommended reading for any teacher.
Recommended reading for any teacher.
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July 11, 2022A lot of it I found really helpful, some so-so. I wish there was more research-based evidence or any kind of backing up of his methods, but being anecdotal, a lot of it does ring true to me. I like his section on gossip and negativity, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a better how-to on how to relate to shy kids. I wish the adults in my life had read this — I had almost every one of his “don’ts” done to me, and yes, it makes kids feel worse about their shyness!!
I had a problem with the way he talked about “different” kids. From the chapter, Developing Maturity, I question the notion of treating disabled folks like lessons for “normal” kids… it really hit me as exploitative? Why should someone’s real, lived life be a lesson for another kid to be thankful that they are “normal?” I know it wasn’t the intention to be exploitative, but I’d rethink that whole subchapter. I would worry more about whether the disabled student is getting the support and education she needs. The focus really seemed to be on the rest of the students and not in differentiating for her or thinking about her needs as a student.
I had a problem with the way he talked about “different” kids. From the chapter, Developing Maturity, I question the notion of treating disabled folks like lessons for “normal” kids… it really hit me as exploitative? Why should someone’s real, lived life be a lesson for another kid to be thankful that they are “normal?” I know it wasn’t the intention to be exploitative, but I’d rethink that whole subchapter. I would worry more about whether the disabled student is getting the support and education she needs. The focus really seemed to be on the rest of the students and not in differentiating for her or thinking about her needs as a student.
August 29, 2013
As a novice teacher, this book really helped me identify many things I did wrong during my first year - losing my cool, yelling, sarcasm, lecturing, etc. I'm excited to let my improved classroom management plan do it's thing to, hopefully, great results.
Linsin is exceedingly as condescending as he is helpful. Many anecdotes feature him as the lone voice of reason among well-meaning but ultimately ineffective colleagues.
He has many great ideas, but not as many tips on putting them into practice, although each chapter ends with a "putting it into practice" section, which really is just a numbered list summarizing the chapter's key points.
Overall, however, I really enjoyed this book and am anxious to see if its advice changes the dynamic of my classroom.
Linsin is exceedingly as condescending as he is helpful. Many anecdotes feature him as the lone voice of reason among well-meaning but ultimately ineffective colleagues.
He has many great ideas, but not as many tips on putting them into practice, although each chapter ends with a "putting it into practice" section, which really is just a numbered list summarizing the chapter's key points.
Overall, however, I really enjoyed this book and am anxious to see if its advice changes the dynamic of my classroom.
April 25, 2017
I am a seventh year teacher, and this book transformed my classroom management as well as my teaching. I know focus on creating fun and engaging lessons so that my students have no reason to want to leave my class. And, I am faithful to my management plan. When I find my students testing boundaries, I realize I have slipped and allowed someone to bend or break a rule. I immediately apologize to the whole class, review the rules, and try stick to it to a T. It really works when you are consistent.
August 14, 2011
A good review of classroom management techniques, but I feel the author is a little conceited and talks down to the reader.
July 18, 2016
Seriously loved this book and so many of the suggestions! I. Cannot. Wait. To try them out in my classroom
August 29, 2016
so simple and makes a great class sound very achievable !
July 6, 2024
classroom redo
Mr. Linsin, thank you. I’m a veteran teacher who has struggled with classroom management. I have always believed that students need to take ownership of their learning, but do lie to fads, admin or teams have never been able to put a finger on the most effective way to deal with management. Your experience and knowledge has confirmed and introduced me to ideas that I know will work for me. Again thank you!
Mr. Linsin, thank you. I’m a veteran teacher who has struggled with classroom management. I have always believed that students need to take ownership of their learning, but do lie to fads, admin or teams have never been able to put a finger on the most effective way to deal with management. Your experience and knowledge has confirmed and introduced me to ideas that I know will work for me. Again thank you!
May 19, 2020
Great book
This was a great read for someone like me who is about to start there first year teaching. I’ve tried reading so many classroom management books in an attempt to prepare for next year but this was the first book I was able to get through with clear and simple tips. I’m excited for the years to come and feel ready to start with a positive attitude and have some fun teaching!
This was a great read for someone like me who is about to start there first year teaching. I’ve tried reading so many classroom management books in an attempt to prepare for next year but this was the first book I was able to get through with clear and simple tips. I’m excited for the years to come and feel ready to start with a positive attitude and have some fun teaching!
April 29, 2024
Overall it's pretty good. Mr. Linsin makes some claims about what specifically makes a "good" teacher that are, frankly, quite petty. He said, nearly verbatim, that a messy desk makes for a bad teacher. Still, pettiness aside, there were some good anecdotes to back up the advice provided and I appreciated the validation and suggested changes to my style.
March 26, 2016
Sound philosophy and perspectives but missing practical, concrete application
I want to begin this review by saying first that I agree with practically every one of his perspectives on students and teaching within the classroom. I found his insights to be intelligent and relevant. I also truly believe that this man is an excellent teacher whose is adored and loved by his students. Whatever my criticism is of the material in the book it is in no way a reflection of who he is as a professional. It 19s clear he was well intentioned when he decided to author this novel and I have a suspicion he was probably asked to write something at least a hundred times because he has had so much success in the classroom and gets a tremendous amount of joy from teaching.
Where my problem begin with this book starts really in how it is addressed and presented to the reader. The idea is after reading this ANY class can be turned into a 1Cdream 1D class. Who wouldn 19t be intrigued by that?! I work in a low-income, exclusively minority, urban high school with students who are far below academic standards. You better believe I pounced on such a title! However, he makes many sweeping generalizations that reveal he is very disconnected from many of the difficult challenges in such environments. He has a bit of a Mary Poppins approach where just a spoonful of sugar will make it all better. For example he brings up an excellent point that many teachers treat the symptoms of a problem rather than the root cause. He references bullying or poor peer relationships as an example. Where many teacher separate children who don 19t get along rather than solving the problem of communication with them (or bullying). I 100% agree with this and eagerly read on looking for how he would recommend remedying it. Instead he just states to tell the children to empower themselves and not allow being spoken to disrespectfully. He proudly states how a girl will retort 1Cyou may NOT speak to me that way 1D (I 19m paraphrasing of course) when taunted. For my students this wouldn 19t work at all. I was hoping for some tips on peer mediation or perhaps how to integrate better social skills into my lessons but nothing concrete is offered. I found this to be a consistent pattern whenever he gave tips. He will show one example and feel it is sufficient to apply to every circumstance. This is partially because the ENTIRE book is based on anecdotal evidence. There aren 19t any facts or studies to back up his points ...while I don 19t think it would be necessary to include I think for him to gain an adequate perspective on his audience and what are the current struggles for teachers.
Another serious issue I had with the book was the condescending tone he uses to describe other teachers including his colleagues. Whenever he gives an example of what not to do it 19s always with a teacher he has worked with, which he quickly pairs with an example of what is right by citing an example from his classroom! Any sage advice he 19s collected over the years has never been from a coworker or a lead teacher. He gives the impression that he has never struggled or questioned the efficacy of his methods. Even if he has hit that many homeruns, it prevents the reader from relating to him or adequately describing how to remedy a bad habit. He also makes no mention of how he walked a fellow teacher to success! Actually he avoids doing so altogether. He says he makes it a general rule to never question another teacher 19s management methods. However from his stories it is clear to me that teachers have reached out to him and he gave them the brush off. Specifically when he was a Phys Ed. teacher he saw a teacher (whose company and persona he found agreeable) struggling with getting her class ready. She mentions 3 times how sorry she is and how she doesn 19t know what is wrong with her class. He mentions to her right before he leaves that it 19s the teacher who controls the tone of the classroom not the students. She acknowledges that she is blaming the kids because it is easier not because she truly believes it 19s their fault. (I agree with this philosophy wholeheartedly) Instead of following up with how he counseled her to make changes or show how one would make the transition from this unruly class to his version of a 1Cdream 1D class, he harangues teachers and their flawed perceptions! Over and over again he gives examples of teachers complimenting him or noticing his class has something theirs is missing and he just drops these nuggets of wisdom as if implementation is self explanatory. I found this massively frustrating and borderline self promoting.
I 19m not sure if the author knows how to give teachers advice on correcting ineffective classroom management or if he cares to learn the reasons why many teachers know the right action to take but not HOW (without characterizing them as inept, lazy or pushovers). If I was in my early years of teaching this book would have made me feel like crap and utterly incapable. As a teacher with 7 year experience and a much stronger handle on my skills and prowess as a teacher I 19m walking away merely disappointed.
I want to begin this review by saying first that I agree with practically every one of his perspectives on students and teaching within the classroom. I found his insights to be intelligent and relevant. I also truly believe that this man is an excellent teacher whose is adored and loved by his students. Whatever my criticism is of the material in the book it is in no way a reflection of who he is as a professional. It 19s clear he was well intentioned when he decided to author this novel and I have a suspicion he was probably asked to write something at least a hundred times because he has had so much success in the classroom and gets a tremendous amount of joy from teaching.
Where my problem begin with this book starts really in how it is addressed and presented to the reader. The idea is after reading this ANY class can be turned into a 1Cdream 1D class. Who wouldn 19t be intrigued by that?! I work in a low-income, exclusively minority, urban high school with students who are far below academic standards. You better believe I pounced on such a title! However, he makes many sweeping generalizations that reveal he is very disconnected from many of the difficult challenges in such environments. He has a bit of a Mary Poppins approach where just a spoonful of sugar will make it all better. For example he brings up an excellent point that many teachers treat the symptoms of a problem rather than the root cause. He references bullying or poor peer relationships as an example. Where many teacher separate children who don 19t get along rather than solving the problem of communication with them (or bullying). I 100% agree with this and eagerly read on looking for how he would recommend remedying it. Instead he just states to tell the children to empower themselves and not allow being spoken to disrespectfully. He proudly states how a girl will retort 1Cyou may NOT speak to me that way 1D (I 19m paraphrasing of course) when taunted. For my students this wouldn 19t work at all. I was hoping for some tips on peer mediation or perhaps how to integrate better social skills into my lessons but nothing concrete is offered. I found this to be a consistent pattern whenever he gave tips. He will show one example and feel it is sufficient to apply to every circumstance. This is partially because the ENTIRE book is based on anecdotal evidence. There aren 19t any facts or studies to back up his points ...while I don 19t think it would be necessary to include I think for him to gain an adequate perspective on his audience and what are the current struggles for teachers.
Another serious issue I had with the book was the condescending tone he uses to describe other teachers including his colleagues. Whenever he gives an example of what not to do it 19s always with a teacher he has worked with, which he quickly pairs with an example of what is right by citing an example from his classroom! Any sage advice he 19s collected over the years has never been from a coworker or a lead teacher. He gives the impression that he has never struggled or questioned the efficacy of his methods. Even if he has hit that many homeruns, it prevents the reader from relating to him or adequately describing how to remedy a bad habit. He also makes no mention of how he walked a fellow teacher to success! Actually he avoids doing so altogether. He says he makes it a general rule to never question another teacher 19s management methods. However from his stories it is clear to me that teachers have reached out to him and he gave them the brush off. Specifically when he was a Phys Ed. teacher he saw a teacher (whose company and persona he found agreeable) struggling with getting her class ready. She mentions 3 times how sorry she is and how she doesn 19t know what is wrong with her class. He mentions to her right before he leaves that it 19s the teacher who controls the tone of the classroom not the students. She acknowledges that she is blaming the kids because it is easier not because she truly believes it 19s their fault. (I agree with this philosophy wholeheartedly) Instead of following up with how he counseled her to make changes or show how one would make the transition from this unruly class to his version of a 1Cdream 1D class, he harangues teachers and their flawed perceptions! Over and over again he gives examples of teachers complimenting him or noticing his class has something theirs is missing and he just drops these nuggets of wisdom as if implementation is self explanatory. I found this massively frustrating and borderline self promoting.
I 19m not sure if the author knows how to give teachers advice on correcting ineffective classroom management or if he cares to learn the reasons why many teachers know the right action to take but not HOW (without characterizing them as inept, lazy or pushovers). If I was in my early years of teaching this book would have made me feel like crap and utterly incapable. As a teacher with 7 year experience and a much stronger handle on my skills and prowess as a teacher I 19m walking away merely disappointed.
January 15, 2024
Dream Class Possible
As a veteran teacher, I agree with 98% of the keys in the book. Follow Linsin’s Keys and you are on your way to your Dream class. He provides clear and useful tips for teachers to use to become better teachers.
As a veteran teacher, I agree with 98% of the keys in the book. Follow Linsin’s Keys and you are on your way to your Dream class. He provides clear and useful tips for teachers to use to become better teachers.
April 1, 2018
Great for Newbies and Veterans Alike!
There is something for everyone in this book. New teachers and veteran teachers will benefit from the information in this book.
There is something for everyone in this book. New teachers and veteran teachers will benefit from the information in this book.
November 4, 2019
Great book
Very helpful! I just started teaching and this is just what I needed to be a great teacher for the future
Very helpful! I just started teaching and this is just what I needed to be a great teacher for the future
July 9, 2025
Best advice for teachers
I love Linsin’s books! He has great wisdom and I’m excited to implement these “keys” into my classroom this year.
I love Linsin’s books! He has great wisdom and I’m excited to implement these “keys” into my classroom this year.
March 20, 2013
This book was incredibly motivating and empowering. I'm excited to approach 4th quarter after reading this book. How often does that happen? I do agree with the posts that I have read about the author and his approach. He is terribly conceited. I just started rolling my eyes every time he talked about how some really great teacher he knew just couldn't quite get the knack of how to manage their class...until he set them straight. He should have given examples of how he fell flat on his face. Nevertheless, I am able to look past his bravado and glean some of his ideas for myself. Most of them were reminders of best practices that I already knew but become weighed down by...well...life.
August 13, 2016
I've seen other reviewers here say one should bypass this book and read Ron Clark instead. Wrong! I've read Ron Clark's books and his are great, but too saturated with things to do. Dream Class is better because it contains such basic strategies within 15 keys (chapters)...I liked 14 of them and plan to use them this year, rather than 99 rules or whatnot! Even though the author says newer teachers can use this book, I can see this being better to implement after at least a year of teaching. Either way, it's one that I know way too many coworkers should add to their arsenal...including myself! I have great classroom management, but it always needs to be improved and this was the perfect book to help me fine tune!(
May 26, 2013
I read this book for an online grad class I am taking this month. Even after many years of managing my art room, I updated my skills and gained new ideas from this book. I am going to change a few things in my room next year. Goodbye rewards! Sometimes the author comes off as being a bit boastful, but hey, it is his book and he has found success as a teacher, writer and consultant. With a copy of this and of course my favorite, Harry Wong's The First Days of School, every teacher has the tools needed to create a happy, productive, efficient classroom environment.
August 4, 2014
Great tips and lots of arrogance and self aggrandizing while sharing them.
When I ordered this book last year, I did not realize it was aimed at elementary school teachers (grades 1-6, perhaps.) Some of the concepts, however, are applicable in secondary classrooms, although the examples the author shares do not apply.
Three stars . . . a four star book with just too much "I am so wonderful" and you are not.
When I ordered this book last year, I did not realize it was aimed at elementary school teachers (grades 1-6, perhaps.) Some of the concepts, however, are applicable in secondary classrooms, although the examples the author shares do not apply.
Three stars . . . a four star book with just too much "I am so wonderful" and you are not.
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October 22, 2012This is literally the best book on education that I have ever read! It was informative and entertaining, and chock full of practical advice to help any teacher move into the realm of "highly effective." I can't wait to implement what I gleaned from its pages. I couldn't put it down...A must read!
June 23, 2014
In general I really liked this book. As an experienced teacher in the elementary school environment, I did learn quite a lot and often share his strategies with my colleagues. I do find his personality a little weird and sometimes hard to swallow but I totally "buy" his way. I good read for experienced and novice teachers.
December 3, 2014
His strategies are great, and when implemented into my classroom they work wonders. I would say that he does talk highly of himself throughout the book, but if he is as great as he is, then who wouldn't do the same. Overall this book will help you manage your students and give you concrete examples so you know exactly what to do. And it works!!
June 23, 2013
Great ideas to help with staying positive with the students. I love the author's sense of humor and his optimistic focus. He keeps a very grounded approach on how to handle problem students. I agree with most of what he says and I like his explanations to put his ideas into practice.
July 6, 2012
This book was inspiring but lacked well developed ideas to use in the classroom. I would read it again though
because I loved the positive hopeful feeling it left me with throughout reading it.
because I loved the positive hopeful feeling it left me with throughout reading it.
July 24, 2012
Fine ideas for the classroom! Available in paperback from Amazon.com or in Kindle format at http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B003Y...
July 25, 2012
Excellent suggestions.
June 18, 2013
Great tips for classroom management. An easy read with suggestions on how to create The Dream Class every year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews