Reluctant Disciplinarian: Advice on Classroom Management From a Softy Who Became (Eventually) a Successful Teacher

After my first year with middle schoolers, I got recommended this book by another teacher. I am a TOTAL softy and a super big nurturer. This makes a lot of sense, is easy to read, and is super practical. I will be implementing some of these tips into my planning for next year and practices come fall. I also gifted this to a friend who will be starting her student teaching soon (a fellow softy!) A super great gift for new teachers in your life OR for you if you're a new teacher and are having a tough time bringing structure into your classroom in a loving way!

I'm in my sixth year of teaching 7th-9th grades, and I read this book in my first year. I'm buying it now to give to a fellow teacher who's just starting out and struggling with classroom management, like every new teacher should expect to. This isn't a comprehensive look at classroom management. However, reading it WILL make you feel better after an inevitable day when you've blown it in the classroom. It WILL make you laugh, which is something you will need as a first year teacher. More importantly, it will give you hope that just because you have no idea what you're doing right now, does not mean you will be a bad teacher. And it gives straight, practical, down to earth advice without the BS that you won't read in most other books or hear in training or education programs. Yes, you should avoid groupwork at first. Yes, you should be ready to answer any question within two seconds, probably with No. Yes, you should aim to be boring on the first day of school. You might leave this advice behind as you get more comfortable in the classroom, but that's no reason to assume you don't need it starting out. I would even call this book essential for new teachers who may not have a colleague next door to give you the down to earth advice.

I found this book very enjoyable and could relate to many of the examples and stories as I’ve also taught for many years. It may not be like a super detailed list of strategies, but gives solid advice on management. It is also very relatable to read, especially if you have prior teaching experience. I like how it uses demonstrations of lessons such as the eclipse experiment to show that one also needs discipline and consequences to effectively run a classroom. It does a good job also of showing what students think about school and what they expect from teachers even though they might not always show it on the outside. Best of all, it has funny, practical, and sound advice for any teacher that desires to be a successful classroom manager.

I bought this book for my class management course in my graduate program. I like it because it touches on the key points of class management in a humorous way. Many books tend to be cut and dry, but this book gives similar information in a casual tone, which actually keeps you reading, wanting to know more. I also like that the author of this book inserts many of his own teaching experiences, which helps build his credibility. So, I recommend this book for any new teacher, or veteran teacher, whose looking for some answers in regards to class management.

I read this book my first year of teaching because I had a very difficult class. Rubinstein offers a hilarious review of his first year teaching with insights and suggestions that helped me get through my difficult first year. Even though his focus was high school and middle school, it was still helpful to me as an elementary school teacher.I'm so glad I found this updated version with his "Ten Years Later" reflections added. It's like visiting an old friend to catch up!If you are a softie and have a difficult class...I do recommend this book. You'll probably see yourself within its pages. I sure did!Diane[...]

I'm an after-school teacher and my first day was just the WORST, I have a few behavior issue students and they're 2nd-3rd. They threw things at me and talked back, and I feared that the year wasn't going to be any better. Although the kids themselves aren't magically better, this book really made me see they're actions differently, and taught me to be a better "teacher". They're small kids and I'm still a first-year, but I'm already seeing a big improvement. They don't see me as just some person, I'm slowly gaining their respect, I highly recommend this for any newbie teacher

The author is so honest about his difficult experiences. That helps me feel like I'm not alone and gives me hope that I, even I, can learn to manage the parts of teaching that really scare me.

After finishing my first year of teaching I was told I needed to work on classroom management. So I found this book on Amazon. The title grabbed my attention because I am a softy too. I enjoyed this book it was very helpful.

Good for first and second years, but not for anyone who has already taught for a couple of years. Very simple advice that you basically have already learned by the end of your second year. There are a lot of don'ts but not enough "do's" in terms of discipline. He's basically saying that all tactics are a waste of time and effort. It's more about how you can prevent a situation by improving/changing yourself as a teacher. First impressions are certainly important, but I was looking for new fresh ideas that can keep difficult students engaged.