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Keep CALM and Teach
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Keep CALM and Teach
Empowering K-12 Learners With Positive Classroom Management Routines

First Edition

A Joint Publication With AMLE



September 2018 | 240 pages | Corwin

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!


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Chapter 1: The CALM Management Program
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

 
 
Part I: CALM Communication
 
Chapter 2: Positive Behavior Expectations
Explicit Expectations Lead to Positive Results

 
In the Research

 
Beginning the CALM Classroom Process

 
Bullying

 
Special Situations

 
Summary

 
Reflection Questions

 
Quick Wins

 
 
Chapter 3: Redirect Behavior Model
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

 
 
Chapter 4: Voice-Movement-Task Model
Voice-Movement-Task Model Defined

 
Research

 
When to Use

 
Voice

 
Movement

 
Materials

 
Task

 
Summary

 
Reflection Questions

 
Quick Wins

 
 
Part II: CALM Accountability
 
Chapter 5: Accountability—Collaborative Work Groups
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

 
 
Chapter 6: Accountability—Conversations, Consequences, and Follow Through
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

 
 
Part III: CALM Leadership
 
Chapter 7: Teacher as a Leader
Five Effective Practices for a Teacher Leader

 
Reflective Practice

 
Communication

 
Teacher Presence

 
Positive Mindset

 
Instruction

 
Summary

 
Reflection Questions

 
Quick Wins

 
 
Chapter 8: Student as a Leader
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

 
 
Part IV: CALM Motivation
 
Chapter 9: Motivation Plan
Motivation Plan—Whole Class

 
Disengaged Student—Work for Wins

 
Disengaged Student—Mentor Tutoring

 
Summary

 
Reflection Questions

 
Quick Wins

 
 
Chapter 10: Final Thoughts
Key Takeaways

 
One Last Collaborative Group Activity

 
Where Do We Go From Here?

 
 
References
 
Index

"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."

Pamela J. Cohn, Executive Director Secondary School Support & Supervision
Omaha Public Schools

“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.”

Nancy A. Edick, Lois G. Roskens Dean, College of Education
University of Nebraska at Omaha

“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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Kim Campbell, Proud Middle School Teacher/AMLE Consultant/SOAR Coordinator/Dean of Students
Hopkins School District

“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!”

Jim Sutfin, Ed.D, Superintendent
Millard Public Schools

“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!”

Dr. Ferial Pearson, College of Education
University of Nebraska at Omaha

“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!”

Jack Berckemeyer, Presenter and Author of Taming of the Team
Berkemeyer Consulting Group

“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.”

Melissa Chalupnik, Director of Professional Learning
Council Bluffs Community School

“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.”

Dr. Janice Garnett, University of Nebraska Omaha, Assistant Professor
Assistant Superintendent Emeritus, Omaha Public Schools

“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.”

Marlena Gross-Taylor, Founder of #EduGladiators
District EdLeader for Maury County Schools, Tennessee

“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.”

Tony Vincent
LearninginHand.com
Key features
New teachers, teachers with at-risk students, and all teachers will find:
  • Strategies to inspire a CALM classroom
  • Positive ways to redirect inappropriate behavior
  • Practical scripts to answer the question: "What do I say when _______ happens?"
  • Practical guides, checklists, and templates for ensuring a productive, engaging classroom community

Sample Materials & Chapters

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1


For instructors

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