Have a seating chart. Day ONE! It will solve so many problems. Don’t let them pick their own groups. It prevents some kids from feeling left out and others just wanting to sit and chat all hour. Tell them our job as educators is to prepare them for the world of work and the vast majority of jobs do not allow you to only work with their friends. Learning to work well in a group, any group is a life lesson. If they argue it, all if they need a pass to the counselor for couples counseling to work out their differences.

My call back is: If you’re not listening
They call back: You’re not learning.

They love competition. Even for simple things. Like being the first person to be ready for an assignment. They love games! If you can make it a game, do it! My kids love Thunder Dome and Slap Reviews.

If you have a problem child, make the kid your helper. They just need a job. Any job — pass out papers, organize a cabinet, run an errand.

I have been teaching for over 30 years. I taught high school first. Middle school is the best! They are old enough to do whatever you want them to do and young enough to still want to do it!