WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Log In

We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

Featured:

School Transformation Through Arts Integration at Bates Middle School

Teacher leading a class in dance with arms outstretched

Featured:

Tips for Teaching Grade School Students How to Make Global Impact

Featured:

How to Thank a Teacher

Blogs on Classroom Management

More Blogs on Classroom ManagementRSS

Masterful Teacher: How Calculus Became the Most Popular Class on Campus

Ken EllisApril 13, 2011

Tags Classroom Management, Dropout Prevention, Leadership, Teacher Development, High (9-12), California, Math

It's a few minutes after 7 a.m. on a drizzly Friday morning and math teacher Jonathan Winn is standing just outside his first period classroom yelling at the top of his lungs, his voice reverberating across campus. "How does that go?!" He's not so much yelling at his students as yelling for them, exhorting them to shout out the answer to a complex calculus problem, in unison. A few minutes later, Winn is dressed in a wig and a white ruffled shirt, playing 18th-century mathematician Gottfried Leibniz doing calculus in Paris. Later in the 90-minute class, he puts on a drum major's hat and exchanges drum beats and claps with his students, to get them to feel the power of their unity.

What's the Secret to Effective Classroom Management?

Maurice EliasMarch 21, 2011

Tags Classroom Management, Discipline, , All Grades

David Brooks, New York Times columnist, NPR media commentator, and author of the new book, The Social Animal, knows the secret to a classroom that is productive, engaging, and well-managed.

David Brooks, New York Times columnist, NPR media commentator, and author of the new book, The Social Animal, knows the secret to a classroom that is productive, engaging, and well-managed. Read More

Classroom Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers

Gaetan PappalardoJanuary 28, 2011

Tags Classroom Management, Mentoring, New Teachers, Primary (K-2), Professional Development, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5)

"With what are you struggling?" I ask.

"I think I need some more direction on the little decisions like what do you do when a student complains about a stomach ache right before a lesson," replies student teacher.

Paula White on Letting Kids Lead

Betty RayJanuary 10, 2011

Tags Classroom Management, Differentiated Instruction, Diversity, Primary (K-2), Rural Schools, Teacher Development

Editor's Note: Today's guest blogger is Paula White, a grandma, teacher, Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE), DEN STAR, Google Certified Teacher, camper, Gifted Resource Teacher, NETS*T certified, and lover of learning.

Ten Simple Strategies for Re-engaging Students

Andrew MarcinekNovember 21, 2010

Tags Classroom Management, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, All Grades

Last week I observed a tired classroom. My English 101 class looked bored and uninterested in the discussion we were having. I observed one student intently working on a crossword puzzle. He was engaged. Another student was sneaking a peek at her mobile device every so often and then quickly looked back in my direction. She was almost engaged. Some students were simply staring at me so intently that I assumed they had painted eyes on the exterior of their eyelids.

Quick. React. What do you do hot shot? What. Do. You. Do?

Wind Power Project Offers a New Spin for Students

Betty RayOctober 25, 2010

Tags After-School Learning, Classroom Management, Differentiated Instruction, Dropout Prevention, Environmental Education, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, High (9-12), Math

Editor's Note: Our guest blogger today is Karen Brown, the creative director for the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, CA.

"Sometimes creativity goes a little bit with what we call 'misbehavior.'"

Back to School: Rules and Routines in the Classroom

Rebecca AlberSeptember 6, 2010

Tags Classroom Management, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

I admit it. I allowed students to chew gum in class. Why? I chewed gum. I have a throat that tends to dry up mid-morning. Gum helps.

Personalized Learning and the School of One

EdutopiaJune 11, 2010

Tags Classroom Management, Dropout Prevention, Integrated Studies, Primary (K-2), , Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), New York

Personalized learning has been a lot on our minds at Edutopia lately. We just launched some major coverage on Forest Lake Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina -- a kind of "little school that could" for differentiated instruction. It's an earnest, humble place (except for the slew of awards touted on the façade) full of earnest, humble people who are simply determined to teach each child as a unique individual. Through strong leadership, dogged grant-writing and constant collaboration, they've done it.

How Do You Handle Difficult Situations with Students?

Ben JohnsonMay 19, 2010

Tags Classroom Management, Teacher Development, High (9-12)

"So do you have a problem with me?" the student asked.

"Yes I do." I testily answered. "You need to be quiet and listen to the teacher!"

"What do you care? Just keep fixing that computer!" replied the student.

Unfortunately, I was only a visitor in the classroom that day (there to fix the computer). The above exchange occurred when I just couldn't stand it any longer and turned and looked for the student who was making all that noise while the teacher was trying to teach high school biology.

Should We Redefine Classroom Management?

Betty RayJanuary 7, 2010

Tags Classroom Management, Teacher Development, All Grades

We've been very impressed with the collaborative movement that's happening on Twitter, where you can find a weekly open forum discussion called #edchat. Each week, educators from around the world debate, ruminate, and brainstorm on the top issues of the day.