Earlier in the year, we talked about the various different routines and procedures that are beneficial within the middle school classroom.  I mentioned the essential classroom management book, The First Days of School, as a resource and reference of the post. 

I know that classroom management can be a point of tension, especially at this point in the year. So, I wanted to seek out some books that might be a helpful resource for those of you looking to shake up your classroom management.  Or at least provide a few new ideas to browse and try in your classroom.

I love recommending and reading books. Charlie Jones says, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”  True confession, I actually struggle to actually sit down and read books but I love listening! I subscribe to Audible and am able to listen to several books while I drive, do laundry, cook dinner, etc.

5 classroom management books for middle school

Better Than Carrots and Sticks

Longtime educators and best-selling authors Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher, and Nancy Frey provide a practical blueprint for creating a cooperative and respectful classroom climate in which students and teachers work through behavioral issues together. After a comprehensive overview of the roots of the restorative practices movement in schools, the authors explain how to:

• Establish procedures and expectations for student behavior that encourage the development of positive interpersonal skills;
• Develop a nonconfrontational rapport with even the most challenging students; and
• Implement conflict resolution strategies that prioritize relationship building and mutual understanding.

Classroom Management in the Digital Age

Don’t fear the devices! In the willing teacher’s hands, this is a new and welcome age to harness for exponential learning.

Update your own operating system for the digital age by:

• Getting attention from those device focused faces
• Establishing procedures for daily class routines that harness the power of technology tools
• Cultivating a culture of student ownership and responsibility
• Developing routines that increase on-task behavior and lessen teacher anxiety

• Communicating with parents on best practices and consistent school to home behaviors
• Decreasing distraction with simple, helpful tips
• Letting go of being the expert and taking charge by partnering in learning

The First Year Teacher’s Survival Guide

I would love to hear what other classroom management books you have read and enjoyed.  It seems as though finding ideas specific to middle school can be tricky.