Earlier in the year, we talked about the various different routines and procedures that are beneficial within the middle school classroom. I mentioned the essential classroom management book, The First Days of School, as a resource and reference of the post.
I know that classroom management can be a point of tension, especially at this point in the year. So, I wanted to seek out some books that might be a helpful resource for those of you looking to shake up your classroom management. Or at least provide a few new ideas to browse and try in your classroom.
I love recommending and reading books. Charlie Jones says, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” True confession, I actually struggle to actually sit down and read books but I love listening! I subscribe to Audible and am able to listen to several books while I drive, do laundry, cook dinner, etc.
5 classroom management books for middle school
Better Than Carrots and Sticks
Longtime educators and best-selling authors Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher, and Nancy Frey provide a practical blueprint for creating a cooperative and respectful classroom climate in which students and teachers work through behavioral issues together. After a comprehensive overview of the roots of the restorative practices movement in schools, the authors explain how to:
- Establish procedures and expectations for student behavior that encourage the development of positive interpersonal skills;
- Develop a nonconfrontational rapport with even the most challenging students; and
- Implement conflict resolution strategies that prioritize relationship building and mutual understanding.
Classroom Management in the Digital Age
Don’t fear the devices! In the willing teacher’s hands, this is a new and welcome age to harness for exponential learning.
Update your own operating system for the digital age by:
- Getting attention from those device focused faces
- Establishing procedures for daily class routines that harness the power of technology tools
- Cultivating a culture of student ownership and responsibility
- Developing routines that increase on-task behavior and lessen teacher anxiety
- Communicating with parents on best practices and consistent school to home behaviors
- Decreasing distraction with simple, helpful tips
- Letting go of being the expert and taking charge by partnering in learning
The First Year Teacher’s Survival GuideThis award-winning book gives beginning educators everything they need to survive and thrive in the classroom. The third edition covers new material including working as a part of a professional learning community (PLC), teaching media literacy and social responsibility, incorporating Common Core State Standards, handling “homework push-back” from parents, changes in classroom technology, techniques for motivating students, seeking feedback, and much more.
- A fully revised edition of a trusted resource, offering solutions to challenges and typical scenarios encountered by new teachers
- Bonus CD features downloadable versions of the book’s checklists, forms, worksheets, and self-assessments
This popular resource offers teachers an essential guide for knowing what to expect when they begin their career and ideas for solving classroom problems.
Teach Like a Champion 2.0The first edition of Teach Like a Champion influenced thousands of educators because author Doug Lemov’s teaching strategies are simple and powerful. Now, updated techniques and tools make it even easier to put students on the path to college readiness. Here are just a few of the brand new resources available in the 2.0 edition:
- Over 70 new video clips of real teachers modeling the techniques in the classroom
- A selection of never before seen techniques inspired by top teachers around the world
- Brand new structure emphasizing the most important techniques and step by step teaching guidelines
- Updated content reflecting the latest best practices from outstanding educators
With the sample lesson plans, videos, and teachlikeachampion.com online community, you will be teaching like a champion in no time. The classroom techniques you’ll learn in this book can be adapted to suit any context. Find out why Teach Like a Champion is a “teaching Bible” for so many educators worldwide.
I would love to hear what other classroom management books you have read and enjoyed. It seems as though finding ideas specific to middle school can be tricky.
I love your blog. Thank you for the thought and quality of your entries. I do not teach math, but there is so much here for everyone.
Thank you so much, Terri! You are so kind! 🙂
You should add The Smart Classroom Management Way to this list. It has been a game changer for me! (Warning: the author is in staunch disagreement of token economies/prizes, etc so if you don’t want your boat to be totally rocked, best not to read it!) ????