Keep CALM and Teach
Empowering K-12 Learners With Positive Classroom Management Routines
- Victoria Lentfer - University of Nebraska, Omaha, USA
A Joint Publication With AMLE
Corwin Teaching Essentials
Behaviour Management | Classroom Management & Student Behaviour | Student Engagement & Motivation
What do you say when . . .
More than ever before, students are coming to school with social, emotional, and behavioral issues that could have a negative impact on their learning. What’s more, the pressure on teachers for their students to perform well on high-stakes testing can take the focus away from addressing behavioral issues. Luckily, there’s a practical solution for managing behavior in the classroom. Get to know the CALM method—an actionable, clear, and easy to remember framework for redirecting student behavior.
CALM stands for Communication, Accountability, Leadership, and Motivation. It is an inclusive approach to behavior focused on building relationships, community, behavior skills, and academic achievement. The CALM framework provides teachers with successful behavior strategies that will create a comfortable, safe, respectful, and encouraging learning environment for students and teachers alike. Whether you’re new to teaching, working with at-risk students, or you’ve been working in the profession for years but want a fresh approach, this book will provide you with
- Strategies to inspire a CALM classroom
- Positive ways to redirect inappropriate behavior
- Practical scripts to answer the question "What do I say when _______ happens?"
- Step-by-step guides, checklists, and templates for ensuring a productive, engaging classroom community
Developing classroom management skills and techniques that work can be extremely challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Keep CALM with proactive strategies for creating a culture of respect, accountability, and a strong sense of community!
How I Got From There to Here |
Teach Content and Behavior |
CALM Management |
Communication |
Accountability |
Leadership |
Motivation |
Proactive Measures |
Positive Reinforcements |
Pacing |
Learning Goals |
Behavior Goals |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
Explicit Expectations Lead to Positive Results |
In the Research |
Beginning the CALM Classroom Process |
Bullying |
Special Situations |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
Redirect Behavior Model Defined |
Empower Students |
Framework of the Redirect Behavior Model |
Implementing the Phases of the Redirect Behavior Model |
Phase I: Explain Student Behavior Expectations |
Phase I: Noncompliance—What to Do if a Student Does Not Accept the Redirection |
Phase II: Encourage Student Ownership |
Phase III: Problem-Solve With the Noncompliant Student |
Delivering the Redirect Behavior Model |
Say It and Move On |
Make It Conversational |
Be Prepared for Students to Feel Uncomfortable |
Remain Calm |
Redirect Behavior Model for Instruction |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
Voice-Movement-Task Model Defined |
Research |
When to Use |
Voice |
Movement |
Materials |
Task |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
Think Beyond the Four Walls . . . |
Small-Group Interaction Model |
Prior to Activity (Standard Procedures for All Activities) |
Peer Feedback |
How to Teach Students to Provide Academic Feedback |
Positive Behavior Expectations for Feedback |
Role-Play Scenarios |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
Student Choices |
Consequences to Promote Growth |
Conversations to Promote Growth |
Relying on Positive Consequences May Require a Change in Mindset |
Positive Consequences |
Consequences That Address Negative Behavior |
Inappropriate Responses to Negative Behavior |
Consequence Progression |
Follow Through |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
Five Effective Practices for a Teacher Leader |
Reflective Practice |
Communication |
Teacher Presence |
Positive Mindset |
Instruction |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
The Student Communication Model |
Community Council |
Purpose of the Community Council |
Appointing the Council Leader |
When the Council Convenes |
Community Council Whole-Class Meeting Protocol |
Teacher Role |
Incentive |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
Motivation Plan—Whole Class |
Disengaged Student—Work for Wins |
Disengaged Student—Mentor Tutoring |
Summary |
Reflection Questions |
Quick Wins |
Key Takeaways |
One Last Collaborative Group Activity |
Where Do We Go From Here? |
"Victoria Lentfer is the 21st century Madeline Hunter! Dr. Lentfer's CALM approach makes so much sense. This book should be required reading for all first year teachers who often struggle with classroom management. Finally a step-by-step approach that helps to diffuse classroom disruptions while allowing teachers to teach and students to learn. Classrooms can become kind and caring learning environments that have high expectations and respect all students."
“CALM Classroom Management is critical to teaching success. The author has ‘been there, done that’ when it comes to learning from mistakes, digging into the research, engaging in reflection and becoming a continuous learner in the area of classroom management. This book applies a practical, no-nonsense and experience based approach which includes research-based case-studies and activities to help teachers and administrators be successful.”
“Dr. Lentfer's book on classroom management reaches a broad audience. Her philosophy of CALM (Communication, Accountability, Leadership and Motivation) allows educators to see and relate practical strategies teachers can implement tomorrow.”
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“CALM management is a simple, yet effective way for teachers to establish a positive learning environment. Teachers are able to establish a respectful classroom by using the proactive methods in the CALM management program. This step-by-step approach empowers students through choices and accountability. This a must read for new teachers!”
“Dr. Lentfer’s CALM Management Program is the answer to every teacher’s biggest wish; to have a classroom environment where every single student can experience success. She provides simple, clear, and proven techniques for classroom management, with examples from real classrooms, at every level of schooling. Every teacher needs a copy of this book, new and veteran alike!”
“Everyone is seeking the one answer regarding classroom management, the truth is, there is no one perfect answer. However, staying CALM, building relationships, using humor, and setting realistic expectations can help you as an educator. This book explores how critical it is to be proactive and thoughtful in your classroom management. Next time things get so crazy in your classroom that you want to set your hair on fire- remember stay calm, wigs are expensive!”
“Filled with actionable and adaptable strategies for all grade levels, this text is a comprehensive guide for establishing a classroom environment where all students can thrive. ?A valuable and explicit resource for teachers new to the profession; as well as, career educators wishing to reset their classroom management process and procedures.”
“This is a great how-to book that provides excellent strategies and tools to create a smooth functioning classroom leading to increased instructional time and student learning. For the novice teacher, it offers many procedures that can be easily implemented into a classroom management framework. For the experienced teacher, it provides ideas that can be applied, adapted, and integrated into their existing classroom management model. This is a valuable resource for all teachers in PreK- 12 school settings.”
“Vicki has outlined a logical roadmap to not only address behavior, but change the narrative regarding classroom management to reflect a shift in mindset that replaces irrational responses with positive choices that are effective in keeping the focus on student learning.”
“If I had this book my first year of teaching, I would have floundered less and my students would have learned more! Dr. Lentfer does a thorough job of breaking down classroom management. The book is full of concrete examples for elementary, middle school, and high school teachers, thoroughly explaining the steps to establishing the learning environment that typically takes teachers years to achieve.”