THE GIST:

This course is designed for educators who want focused improvement in classroom management without a comprehensive deep dive. Classroom management is about creating a psychosocial environment where student behaviors are conducive to an enjoyable and productive learning experience.

The course follows a simple structure: Watch → Work → Discuss → Move Forward. Each lesson includes a brief video plus reflective application activities that get you thinking, writing, planning, and practicing. Whether you're taking this individually or with a group, the key is engaging with the application exercises rather than just passively watching.

Course Overview:

• Lesson 2: Five Key Beliefs foundation and how credibility connects to classroom management
• Lesson 3: Rules and consequences that support well-structured classrooms
• Lesson 4: Authoritative teacher presence (body, voice, word choice)
• Lesson 5: Proactive moves that prevent misbehavior
• Lesson 6: Responsive moves for when misbehavior occurs
• Lesson 7: Gentle urgency - balancing pace with grace
• Lesson 8: The relationship aspect of classroom management
• Lesson 9: Warmth within structure using the CARE framework
• Lesson 10: Putting it all together

The goal isn't finding a silver bullet solution, but getting better at the nuts and bolts through focused thinking and practice.

DIG DEEPER RESOURCES:

• The Classroom Management Course - a comprehensive course with Lynsay Mills Fabio
• Articles I've written:
  • Discipline without Emotion
  • 3 Simple Ways to Practice Classroom Management on Your Kids This Summer
  • CARE: Four Underlying Principles of Classroom Management
  • The Best Articles on Classroom Management
• Best blog on Classroom Management:
  • Michael Linsin's blog, SmartClassroomManagement.com
• Books I've written:
  • The Will to Learn - my book exploring the Five Key Beliefs methodology (we'll explore this more in lesson 2)
  • These 6 Things - my book on focusing teaching practice on what matters most
• My Other Mini-Courses:
  • Credibility
  • Value
  • Time Management

REFLECTIVE APPLICATION PROMPTS:

If you're working through this course individually, please share your responses to these prompts in the comments section below so others can learn from your insights and offer encouragement.

#1 - Rate your current confidence (1-10) in classroom stewardship and identify your biggest challenge.

• Consider: What specific aspect of classroom management feels most overwhelming or frustrating right now? What would "success" look like in your classroom management?

#2 - Describe your current teaching context to personalize the strategies ahead.

• Include: Grade level(s), class sizes, student demographics, school culture, any unique constraints or freedoms you have, previous classroom management approaches you've tried.

#3 - Choose 1-2 specific classroom management areas you want to improve this semester.

• Think about: Which of the upcoming lesson topics (rules/consequences, teacher presence, proactive moves, relationships, etc.) feel most relevant to your current challenges? What would realistic improvement look like?
  

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Shared Challenges: What common classroom management frustrations do we all experience? How do these challenges vary by grade level, subject, or student population?
2. Definition Dialogue: I define classroom management as "creating a psychosocial environment where student behaviors are guided toward an enjoyable and productive learning experience." How does this definition compare to how you've thought about classroom management before
3. Course Expectations: Looking at the 10-lesson overview, which topics feel most immediately relevant to your current classroom needs? Which topics feel most intimidating or unfamiliar?
4. Focused on the fundamentals: I try to emphasize that this isn't about finding a "silver bullet" but getting better at the nuts and bolts of CM. How can we support each other in making incremental improvements rather than expecting perfection?
5. Application Commitment: How will you hold yourself accountable to actually doing the application exercises rather than just watching the videos? What support do you need from this group to follow through?