Despite the expansion of bully-proofing programs in recent years, many teachers feel they lack the training necessary to manage the complexities of friendship at work in the classroom and on the playground. Teachers want their students to be friends and to be kind to each other. The reality is, all children have moments in which they are unkind.…

Every teacher hits a patch where each day seems to bring the same struggles, sometimes with the same kids, sometimes with different ones. At these moments, teachers may feel like everything is about to derail. How they cope with these behavioral problems, especially at the start of the year, can set the tone for success or failure in the months…

By the time March comes around, students are anticipating spring break and warmer weather--not to mention the rapidly approaching end of the school year. To keep teachers sane during this March Madness, the author provides tips on how they can cope with the bad behaviors of their students. She also suggests that a school-wide behavior policy, such…

This article is about strategy and presents 23 suggestions of what to do to modify student behavior. (Author/RK)

Lying is a symptom of a much broader problem. Primary motivations are need for acceptance, fear of punishment, and desire for attention. Children learn about honesty through observation, both directly and indirectly. Admitting mistakes, especially to children, is invaluable and can help break the lying syndrome. (MT)

Presents six strategies for positively promoting good behavior among elementary students, including: surprise rewards for quiet classroom behavior; a compliment chain made of paper clips; behavior self-evaluation forms; consistent routines; a list of five things students must do in order for the teacher to be able to give out directions; and…

Presents three basic tenets of what form the foundation of an effective behavior management system to help beginning teachers at any level, particularly middle school. They include: always listening to the student's side of the story; being consistent in discipline; and knowing when to go higher (e.g., sending the student to the office). (SM)

A question and answer interview with Dr. Robert Selman gives an idea of some of the research developments in the field of human development. (GB)

There are three basic reasons why a teacher's directions aren't followed. A followed direction is usually the result of two steps: thorough, systematic planning and careful implementation. (Author)

Describes some common vision problems and lists classroom behavior symptoms which may help the classroom teacher to detect a child with poor vision. (SJL)

A researcher tested the hypothesis that children become more interested in a toy the more they are exposed to it. (RK)

Discussed an idea which helped a teacher successfully handle discipline problems. (Author/RK)

Described methods teachers may take in order to help students improve their mental health. (RK)

The Laurel Ridge Elementary School has achieved a sense of community and it has done so against distinct odds. Why is Laurel Ridge working? How is it achieving a sense of community? What aspects of community living are evident at Laurel Ridge? Seven criteria demonstrate how it has achieved a good community life. (Author/RK)