Mystery Worker Classroom Management

Do you want a classroom management tip that will solve "The Case of the Noisy or Unfocused Classroom"?  Well.....here's a CLUE, it involves a little mystery. This past year I had teams of teachers from other districts observing my teaching techniques for collaboration, ideas and professional development. The common observation by all of them was always, "How do you get your class to behave so nicely and stay on task?" Well the Teacher Sherlock in me shared the all powerful "Mystery Worker" technique.

I have "Mystery Worker" reward cards always on hand to use and as needed I say, "I'm watching a Mystery Worker".  That phrase works like MAGIC.  Students quiet down and get to the task at hand. Then for a brief amount of time, usually for 10-15 minutes, I observe my target student. At the end of my "sleuthing" I decide whether the student earned the "Mystery Worker" honor. If they did, I hand them the card with a note explaining how they set a good example. If by chance the honor was not earned, I never reveal who I was watching. I do keep a running checklist of who I've targeted, so I can be sure to try and honor every student at some point.  Many of us have probably used the "Mystery Walker" in a similar way to target line behavior or transition times. I just took the idea a step further and brought it into my regular classroom teaching routines. Give it a go and see if it cracks the case of the craziness that can hit your classroom sometimes. Wondering where I made got my mystery worker cards? I created them on Vista Print business cards.

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Power of Praise

As teachers we are put in a profound position to use praise in powerful ways. I ran across this poem that is a great reminder of my role in a child's life.

Give a Child

Give a child a great education

You give them the world

Give a child science and math

You give them access

Give a child a sense of wonder

You give them joy

Give a child poetry, paint, aluminum foil and sparkles

You give them creativity

Give a child accountability

You give them integrity

Give a child an understanding of spirit

You give them faith

Give a child an entire community

You give them responsibility

Give a child your undivided time

You give them security

Give a child a life by example

You give them a map for success

Give a child hugs

You give them love!

Author Debora Short

Grab a copy of "Words to Praise" and remember a pinch of praise packs a powerful punch!
How do you use praise in the classroom?

Doorway Quotes

Doorways make great learning display opportunities.  Just above my door I display posters that say:
Never say, "I can't." Always say, "I'll try." and "You Can't Do Wrong by Doing What's Right" It's amazing how students DO pay attention to "small posters" with very BIG messages.  Just the other day when one of my students was showing a moment of self defeat I simply said, "Never say I can't..." and  the class chimed in after me, "Always say, "I'll try".  Grab a copy of Doorway Quotes below and test out their power in your classroom!

Doorway Quotes

What are some of your favorite quotes you use in the classroom?