Best Never Was Average Podcasts (2024)

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#89: BEHAVIOUR BITE: On average, teachers pause for... (🤚 Guilty) 5:20

3h ago5:20

5:20

Today’s Behaviour Bite is all about a simple yet powerful practice: asking and pausing—for much longer than you (probably) already do. IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS: The common tendency among teachers to rush through questions: After asking if there are any questions, many of us move on immediately, often before giving students a chance to respond. Re…

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#88: How to nail the first 5 minutes of every lesson by controlling what you CAN control! 19:23

1h ago19:23

19:23

Are you struggling with having a settled start to the lesson? Battling dysregulation and high energy? In today’s episode, we’re exploring the importance of the First 5—those critical first five minutes of each lesson. This time can make all the difference in shifting energy from the chaos of transitions to a calm, focused learning environment. We’l…

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#87: Struggling to have some students even START their work? Here’s what to know (and do) 20:15

2d ago20:15

20:15

In today’s episode, we’re diving into how building a growth mindset culture can be transformative in our classrooms. We’ll look at how fixed mindsets hold students back, especially when past experiences or fears of failure keep them from fully engaging in learning. Through this episode, Ill explore practical ways to build self-belief, helping stude…

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#86: BEHAVIOUR BITE: Avoid locking horns.... at ALL costs. Here's how. 5:38

13d ago5:38

5:38

Welcome to the second Behaviour Bite! Every Thursday (in addition to my main-course episode on Tuesday) I’ll be delivering one quick tip that you can put into action immediately to help you crush your classroom management! TODAY'S BEHAVIOUR BITE: Avoid locking horns... at all costs. Listen in as I talk through this bite, and give you your actionabl…

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#85: Teach students THIS about behaviour to help them reflect, take accountability, and feel empowered to make lasting positive change. 19:41

16d ago19:41

19:41

You’ve probably heard the phrase, "Behaviours are students meeting a need." In this episode, I’m diving into what that actually really means for your classroom and how understanding the needs behind student behaviour can transform your management approach. Listen in as I discuss: Glasser’s 5 basic needs and how they drive behaviour (survival, love/…

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#84: BEHAVIOUR BITE: Students will always follow our example, before they follow our instructions. 3:54

28d ago3:54

3:54

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Behaviour Bites! Every Thursday (in addition to my main-course episode on Tuesday) I’ll be delivering one quick tip each week that you can put into action immediately to help you crush your classroom management! TODAY'S BEHAVIOUR BITE: Students will always follow our example, before they follow our instruction. L…

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#83: How to craft a strong teaching presence that transforms those constant low-level disruptions (almost like flipping a switch, no exaggeration!) 20:45

23d ago20:45

20:45

In this episode, I’m diving into one of THE most transformative strategies for managing low-level disruptions—almost like flipping a switch. I'll explore how your teaching presence, especially through non-verbal communication, can significantly shift classroom behaviour. It’s not about doing one thing—it’s about everything you do. Listen in as I di…

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#82: Discover your teacher type! AND find out what this means for your classroom management. 18:47

30d ago18:47

18:47

Take the quiz! What's your teacher type?! Ever wondered why some classroom management strategies work wonders for others but fall flat for you? In today’s episode, we’re delving deep into the heart of teaching styles and uncovering what makes you uniquely you in the classroom. I’ll be taking you behind the scenes of my "What is Your Teacher Type?" …

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#81: 3 common mistakes that fuel low-level disruptions, and the immediate fixes that transform behaviour! 19:43

1M ago19:43

19:43

Take the quiz - What's your teacher type?! (Putting this right up top because I know that's why you came to the description) In today's episode I’ll be walking you through three mistakes you might unknowingly be making that can fuel these low-level behaviour spotfires. Now, I say “might be,” but let’s be real—after observing hundreds of lessons, I …

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#80: The low-down on low-level behaviours: Why they are so tricky and why the advice around them sucks! 18:56

2M ago18:56

18:56

In today’s episode, I’m diving deep into the frustration of low-level behaviours in the classroom—why they are so tricky to handle and why the advice out there often falls flat. This is episode 1 of a big focus on low-level behaviours this month, so be sure to follow along for the rest if this is a big challenge for you in your practice! IN THIS EP…

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#79: 1 simple tool to tackle low-level behaviours, increase engagement, and bust dysregulation. 19:26

2M ago19:26

19:26

BY POPULAR DEMAND: You can grab the task card template here! Classroom management is more than just the behaviour, and dealing with low-level disruptive behaviours NEEDS to be more than this to be effective! In this episode, I'll be exploring (well... more like nerding out on) a simple yet incredibly effective tool to help manage and reduce low-lev…

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#78: Feel like you're constantly repeating instructions? The 3 barriers to students just getting on with it (minus the off-task chatter, blank stares, and million questions) 21:45

2M ago21:45

21:45

Click here to access your free session on the barriers to giving a task that students get (and get on with) In today’s episode, I’m unpacking why students might not be listening or following your task instructions. Picture this: hands shoot up, students ask, “What are we doing?” or they sit there doodling, lost in confusion. What’s going on here? I…

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#77: 3 common pieces of behaviour advice teachers get that do more harm than good 18:07

2M ago18:07

18:07

In this episode, I’m diving into three common pieces of behaviour and classroom management advice that teachers are often given and why we need to stop offering them—at least in the way they’re typically presented. These bits of advice are frequently thrown around without any meaningful support or practical steps, making them more harmful than help…

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#76: What to ACTUALLY say to calm students down. 4 steps to resolving bubbling behaviours quickly, so you can get back to teaching. 18:04

2M ago18:04

18:04

In this episode, I dive into one of the toughest challenges we face as teachers—how to manage a classroom full of students when dysregulated behaviours start bubbling up and escalating. I talk about the key things to remember when students are dysregulated and can’t reason with us, and share my CARE Framework—a practical approach for responding to …

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#75: My top 4 classroom management tips for a strong start to the school year (and beyond!) 24:24

3M ago24:24

24:24

The start of a new school year is always a mix of excitement and nerves (the Sunday scaries multiplied times over!!). As teachers, we’re not just thinking about lesson plans and curriculum—we’re setting the stage for a whole year of learning, growth, and relationships. What will our students be like? How will they get along? What will the dynamics …

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#74: The start of school ice breaker activities that need to get in the bin, and what to do instead to build a positive, thriving, class community (no matter what time it is!) 18:11

3M ago18:11

18:11

How can you set the tone for an amazing school year without resorting to icebreakers that have your students eyes rolling? In this episode, you will learn how to foster genuine connections, and create a positive classroom environment that students are eager to be part of, any day of the school year. Listen in as I explore why typical icebreakers of…

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#73: No space for a calm corner in your classroom? 4 practical tips for student self-regulation on the go! 17:14

3M ago17:14

17:14

Let’s talk calm corners. They are all the rage, and for good reason. When done right, they teach regulation skills and embed these as part of the classroom culture and shared language. When students understand more about their brains, they’re more likely to be empowered to manage their behaviours and self-regulate. Yes, even in secondary! Especiall…

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#72: Let’s have a heart to heart… How are you going? Plus, big news on how The Unteachables is changing. 23:15

3M ago23:15

23:15

Let me ask you a question, teacher friend... How are you, really? I have thought long and hard about how I view teacher wellbeing, what it is, how we get it, and there are so many factors that we need to consider: How much autonomy and trust you have. The support you’re getting from leadership. The culture of the school. How empowered you feel in y…

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#71: Kids don’t learn off people they don’t like… but getting them to like you is sometimes easier said than done! How to reach and teach students with big behaviours. 15:54

4M ago15:54

15:54

Welcome back to another episode of The Unteachables Podcast, teacher friends! Today I delve into the final chapter of my book, It's Never Just About the Behaviour. If you want to listen to this series from the start, head back to episode 65! Yes, building relationships is important... but dang is it hard with some students! On today's episode I giv…

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#70: I truly didn't believe all of my students could succeed. Why this was diabolical for behaviour and engagement, and what I had to change. 22:39

4M ago22:39

22:39

Today, I dive into a strategy from Pillar 6 from my newly released book, 'It's Never Just About the Behaviour' which explores the essential connection between quality teaching, learning, and managing challenging classroom behaviours. In this episode, I explore two key reasons why teaching and learning is inextricably linked with classroom managemen…

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#69: How to give instructions that students get (and follow!!). Avoiding classroom confusion and chaos by using the 'Get Ready, Get Set, Go!' strategy. 19:31

4M ago19:31

19:31

This week, I dive into Pillar 5 of "It's Never Just About the Behavior." In this episode, I emphasize the importance of clarity in your holistic classroom management approach, and provide practical strategies to ensure students understand and meet expectations. Today I discuss: The Importance of Clarity in Expectations: Why clear communication is c…

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#68: Turning your classroom into an island of safety for every single student (oh, and for yourself as the teacher, of course) 18:06

4M ago18:06

18:06

Consistency in classroom management is more than just a routine; it’s a pathway to creating an "island of safety" for your students. From the moment students walk into the classroom to the way lessons are structured, consistency can significantly reduce anxiety and foster a supportive learning environment. In this episode, I delve into the fourth p…

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#67: So you want to move away from punitive discipline? Here’s where to start. 25:13

5M ago25:13

25:13

Welcome to today's episode where I dive deep into Pillar 3 of my upcoming book, "It's Never Just About the Behaviour." This pillar focuses on the importance of compassion in classroom management, but not in the way you might expect. I will explore actionable, compassionate pedagogy that moves beyond traditional exclusionary practices. In this episo…

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#66: Are you caught in the vicious cycle of reactive classroom management? 13:49

5M ago13:49

13:49

Welcome to this week’s episode! If you missed last week, head back and catch up, because this is week 2 of digging into pillars from my new book, It’s Never Just About the Behaviour, which is available for pre-order and will be released at the end of June/start of July. In this episode, I'll be focusing on Pillar 2: Be Calm. One of the most impactf…

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#65: Redefining a strong approach to classroom management: It's about so much more than just the behaviour. 15:40

5M ago15:40

15:40

Welp… it’s happening. The past 670 days have led to me being able to say this next sentence…. NEXT MONTH MY BOOK, 'IT’S NEVER JUST ABOUT THE BEHAVIOUR’, IS FINALLY HITTING THE SHELVES!! It feels like a lifetime ago since I signed the contract above the title ‘author’. The imposter syndrome was real. Author? Me? How the hell am I going to pull this …

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#64: Conquering the colossal to do-list, embracing imperfection, and being "more like Kerrie". Swimming, surviving, and thriving, with Ashley from Rainbow Sky Creations 44:02

5M ago44:02

44:02

In this episode of The Unteachables Podcast, I sit down with Ashley, a seasoned teacher with 18 years of experience and half of the wonderful Rainbow Sky Creation crew, to discuss practical strategies for managing the demands of teaching. Ashley shares invaluable tips that every teacher, especially those in their early years, can benefit from. From…

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#63: Blame my brain! What's behind those big, bad, bold, and downright bloody baffling behaviours. 19:05

6M ago19:05

19:05

In today's episode, we're diving deep into understanding behaviours driven by the stress response. This foundational knowledge is crucial for any teacher looking to transform their classroom into an island of safety for their students which nurtures connection, reduces anxiety, and promotes growth. In this episode, I discuss: 1/ The stress response…

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#62. 'Apathetic' teenagers, post-pandemic classrooms, and finding all the glimmers with Dr Lori Desautels 51:08

6M ago51:08

51:08

On today's episode I speak to the brilliant Dr Lori Desautels to answer one of the big behaviour questions I am often asked... What's going on with apathetic teenage behaviour?! As well as this, we speak about: Neuroplasticity and why it is crucial for teachers to have an understanding around. How we can transform the experiences and education of o…

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#61. “Make me a sandwich”. How we can address the alarming misogyny present in our classrooms. 23:53

6M ago23:53

23:53

Download the guide: Addressing misogyny in the classroom In the wake of recent events sparking renewed conversations about gender-based violence, the imperative for educators to address misogyny in the classroom has never been more pressing. Samantha Schulz's article, "Make me a sandwich," sheds light on a disturbing reality: the behaviors and lang…

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#60. Students not taking accountability for their behaviours? Here's what to do. 16:56

6M ago16:56

16:56

Click here to download all 71 behaviour response prompts! Tell me if this sounds familiar, teacher friend... You have struggled to get through even a minute of teacher-led instruction because of one student who is cutting you off at every turn. It has a knock on effect, causing other students to become disengaged and dysregulated. You become increa…

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#59: Struggle with boundaries as a teacher? This one sentence will change absolutely everything about how you see them, and hold them. 14:55

7M ago14:55

14:55

Struggle with boundaries as a teacher? Safe to say you're not alone on that one. These stats are scary: (NASUWT survey Nov 2023) 87% of teachers say their workload has increased in the past year. Teachers are working 54 hours a week on average (you just know some are working 40, and some are working 70!!) 83% of teachers believe their job has adver…

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#58: Do your students take you seriously? How to balance being warm, friendly, and approachable, with holding crucial behaviour boundaries. 13:57

7M ago13:57

13:57

Is it possible that being too friendly is harming your classroom management efforts? No. Okay, maybe a little, but not in the way you think. Does the below resonate? You feel like you have a really great relationship with your students, but when it is time to get to the business side of things and get some serious work done, the energy is high, the…

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#57: “You'll NOT act a fool in my classroom and go unchecked!” What it really looks like to have solid classroom expectations and boundaries (HINT: It's not that) 14:48

7M ago14:48

14:48

What comes to mind when I say that as teachers we need... STRONG expectations and FIRM, CONSISTENT boundaries. Does it sound like: "You as a student are not going to act a fool in my classroom and go UNCHECKED. You are not going to be rude and disrespectful UNCHECKED. And yes go tell your parent I said it! Standards and boundaries from DAY 1!" OR d…

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#56: TEACHER PEP TALK! Feeling powerless in the classroom? Disempowered? Disrespected? Like you have no control? This is for you. 18:40

7M ago18:40

18:40

Classroom management can, oftentimes, leave teachers grappling with feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, failure, and powerlessness. You might feel walked all over, that you can't do anything about behaviour, that your students simply don't care about what you're teaching. This can be an incredibly disempowering place to be in as a human being, and …

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#55: Q&A. Help! I get ZERO support, advice, or mentorship from my leaders around the challenging behaviours in my class. [A SNEAK PEAK INTO THE PRIVATE PODCAST] 13:19

8M ago13:19

13:19

A very special bonus episode coming to you from the That'll Teach 'Em Private Podcast! On today's episode I answer Michelle's 'question' (well - I respond to her comment). "This can’t start quick enough - I wouldn’t even call myself a new teacher but I am drowning in behaviour and whenever I reach out for help, and I'm not shy in doing so I’m so ke…

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#54: So if punishment is OFF the table, what is ON it when it comes to behaviour? 3 tangible takeaways to implementing a non-punitive classroom management approach. 21:07

8M ago21:07

21:07

So the research shows that punishment doesn’t change behaviour? So then what do we actually do as teachers? What’s on the table when other things feel like they are off it? In today's episode: I give you a few ins and outs of the impact of punitive punishment Why sometimes it seems to really work 3 really tangible takeaways you can immediately appl…

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#53: If your classroom management doesn't include these 3 things, it won't work. A walk through of my entire classroom management approach. 25:07

8M ago25:07

25:07

It is so easy to get lost in the noise in teaching. ‘Best practices’ are pretty dependant on who you speak to. Some will advocate for a trauma informed approach, some talk about restorative practice like it is the holy grail. Some will call it different names entirely. Some still stand by the use of extrinsic rewards and detentions, there is PBL, P…

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#52: I had a strong why, but I was still a weak teacher. What it really took to develop my classroom management practice. 24:15

8M ago24:15

24:15

We are often told to go back to our 'why' as teachers when things get tough. My goodness is it important for us to have a strong purpose in a job like teaching, yet it certainly is no classroom management magic bullet. Why, oh why, is a why not enough? Because it takes FAR more to have a strong, compassionate, and calm approach to teaching. In this…

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#51: How to become a 'Disruptive Educator', and make the move from high-control to compassion-driven classrooms with Bobby Morgan of The Liberation Lab 49:09

9M ago49:09

49:09

On today's podcast episode I interview probably THE most quotable guest I have had on the show. Bobby Morgan, the founder of The Liberation Lab, is a spearhead for disruptive education practices that break away from the confining norms of high-control teaching. We unravel the threads of deficit ideologies and reimagine a classroom where culturally …

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#50: Teachers with few behaviour issues have the following 5 things in common... Or do they? 22:00

9M ago22:00

22:00

There are absolutely no absolutes when it comes to behaviour. So when somebody makes a sweeping generalisation that if you do X, Y, and Z you will have very few behavioural issues in your class, they are misleading you, big time. In this podcast episode I talk about a very misleading teaching post I stumbled upon on social media. It was divisive. I…

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#49: No homework, no mandatory testing, AND shorter school days? The observations of an Australian teacher exploring Finland's world-class education system. 45:01

9M ago45:01

45:01

On today’s episode I talk to Jess Steadman who is an experienced Australian primary educator. You might know her as @thesydneyteacher on Instagram where she develops resources for teachers, but I brought her on the podcast today because she recently went on a study tour of Finland! Finland routinely tops rankings for education, yet what we know is …

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#48: Should we be ‘letting things slide’ as teachers? Or should we be holding students accountable for every little challenging behaviour? 22:21

9M ago22:21

22:21

Classroom management is nothing if not confusing. One of the things I have been told along the way is that we need to be picking our battles with behaviour. Another thing I have ALSO been told along the way is that we shouldn't be letting things slide. I have also given both of these pieces of advice at different times in my career. So what do we d…

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#47: How teachers are set up to fail, what SHOULD be included in teacher training, and what a trauma-informed approach looks like in action. A discussion with Em Gentle, founder of The Grad Guide 51:15

10M ago51:15

51:15

Today I am joined on the podcast with Em Gentle, a graduate teacher mentor, fellow edu-podcaster, and founder of the grad guide where she supports new teachers adopt a trauma informed approach to teaching. In today’s episode we go on all the rants including: What teachers should be taught in teacher preparation programs before entering the professi…

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#46: What it really takes to change behaviour with the hardest to teach (and why it can take so damn long)! 25:29

10M ago25:29

25:29

Today on the podcast we will be talking about working with the students who are the hardest to teach, and the hardest to reach. The students who you are told to try to build the relationship with, but they resist it and throw it back in your face. The students who need a hell of a lot of support, and let’s face it probably need a placement that is …

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#45: Are you classroom managing like a fist, or a palm? A game-changing metaphor that will shape the way you approach behaviour in the heat of the moment 23:18

10M ago23:18

23:18

In today’s episode, I am going to be giving you a visual metaphor to approaching challenging classroom behaviour that can be a game changer. This is something that I was taught way back in my first year of teaching and it has stuck with me ever since. It is one of the things that started to really build my own classroom management approach to what …

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#44: The one thing you need to do during the holidays to improve your classroom management in 2024. 17:32

11M ago17:32

17:32

I spent the first 5 years of my career feeling like I needed to be ‘all over’ every single facet of the lesson to contain and reduce challenging behaviours. This meant working through almost every weekend and break that I had. Yes, it helped my classroom management! I was able to create lessons that were well-resourced, pitched right, scaffolded br…

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#43: 2023: The year I became a mother, a wife, and an author. Reflections, regrets, and lessons learnt. 25:53

11M ago25:53

25:53

2023 has been one of the biggest, and most transformational times in my life. Both professionally, and personally. It has been a year where too many dreams decided to show up at once (I understand how much of an oxymoron that is). So I just had to lean into the beautiful chaos of it all and MAKE it work. I had a baby. I wrote a book. I ran my busin…

1
#42: Want to do some laid-back learning at the end of the year, and STILL maintain a calm and controlled environment? This is what you need to know. 20:30

11M ago20:30

20:30

As the year draws to a close, things start to get increasingly challenging. You have your head teacher telling you that you need to keep learning until the last minute, even though you KNOW your students are checked out (and let’s be honest, we’re teetering on that edge too). Your students are becoming more and more unsettled. The energy shifts. Th…

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#41: What Is the Conscious Competence Ladder, and Why You Need to Know About It for Learning, Behavior, and Your Own Professional Development. 17:45

12M ago17:45

17:45

One of the things that used to really grind my gears as a teacher was when I was trying to teach a new skill to students, whether it be an analytical response or a piece of creative writing, and they would say something like the following: “I know how to do this already” “This is baby work, I did it in Year 3”, Or the worst one… “Why do I have to l…

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#40: Want a Calm Lesson? You Need a Calm Start! The 3 Proactive Classroom Management Strategies Every Teacher Should Know! 25:36

12M ago25:36

25:36

The first 5 minutes of a lesson can absolutely be make or break for behaviour. What you do in this time and how you prepare for it can be the deciding factor between a productive, calm, controlled space where students can learn, and a lesson that very quickly continues to descend into chaos. So how to make sure those first 5 minutes are absolutely …

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