by Adam Waxler

One of the most effective classroom management strategies a teacher can use is also the strategy that teachers are most skeptical of.Why?

I’m not sure…This simple teaching strategy has a positive impact on the student-teacher relationship and greatly reduces classroom management issues and behavior problems…

…of course, there’s a “slight” connection between the teacher-student relationship and classroom management :)So what’s this simple teaching tip?

Teachers need to give their students a break…That’s right an actual 2-3 minute break during class.

Of course, you must teach this procedure just like you must teach every procedure (teach the students exactly how much time they have, what they can and cannot do, and exactly what you expect of them when the timer signals that break-time is over.)I promise you, if you do this right you will be amazed at the results.

I use this teaching strategy with my own 8^th grade social studies classes and I can honestly say that when that timer signals that their break is over…you’ve never seen 14 year-olds get back in their seats and ready to work faster.Break-time for students is truly a powerful teaching tip!

However, like all the teaching tips I suggest, I can not make you try it…only you can do that…Last week, in my classroom management course, one of my students confided in me that she thought I was absolutely nuts to suggest she give her 7^th grade math students a break during class time..

But, she decided to have an open mind and gave it a try …Needless to say she was thrilled with the results.  She set a timer, gave her students specific directions, and when that timer went off signaling their break was over, those students got right back in their seats, were refreshed, and motivated to learn.

Not only that, when teachers give their students break-time, they are building on that critical teacher-student relationship.

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Do you know the #1 secret to getting your worst students to behave?

If not, make sure you read this article:
The Number One Secret to Getting Your Worst Pupils to Behave
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