Classroom Management Advice

By Jessica Smith in Behavioralism

Posted On July 19, 2010 7:51 AM

I would like to know your opinion about the following classroom management advice that I have been given several times:

"Don't smile until Christmas."

What does this statement mean to you? Does this sound like good classroom management advice? Why or why not?

I look forward to your responses!

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@hjcombs @STEDISub that suggestion is really outmoded - one can demonstrate good management and still smile!!

# Posted By @hjcombs | 7/20/10 12:12 PM

@kmhmartin @STEDISub I heard this one in my prep courses. Tried it, didn't work for me. I think you can have great classroom mgt. and still smile!

# Posted By @kmhmartin | 7/20/10 12:12 PM

Don't take that literally it means get control early and establish consistency, in my opinion.

# Posted By Art | 7/22/10 10:50 AM

I have heard that statement from my porfessors so many times. I do smile at them sometimes. They are the ones who have sad looks and are look like they do not want to be there.

# Posted By chrissheep | 7/28/10 2:30 PM

Why wait until Christmas to spread good will and cheer? A smile says something about who you are... kind, happy, a person who enjoys their work and cares about kids. Smiling doesn't mean you are a pushover.

# Posted By LizP | 8/3/10 5:36 PM

I agree with LizP. I learned if you smile in the classroom that the students will smile back and also have fun because if you have fun with the class that they give you then th students will also have fun and repect you.

# Posted By Tammmy | 8/11/10 1:17 PM

The teacher seemed as if he has had a headache all week. He seemed so exasperated to the point where one would think the students physically pulled and conered him on the floor for a class picture. The picture amuses me.

# Posted By Johnetta | 8/17/10 1:44 PM

I think if I didn't smile, I would be miserable. It is possible to show your personality and love of teaching and still have classroom control.

# Posted By Alicia | 8/26/10 12:36 AM

I am so glad to hear each of you say that it is okay to smile in the classroom! I heard this classroom management advice so often when I was teaching that I couldn't believe that there were teachers out there who really didn't smile. I can't think of a faster way to destroy a risk-free environment than not smiling.

Thanks for your insights!

# Posted By Jessica | 8/26/10 11:23 AM

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