Champs : A Proactive and Positive Approach to Classroom Management

This book was worth every penny. Teachers are always told to "teach students your expectations", but are never shown exactly how to do this. Sprick has developed a simple template called CHAMPs that teachers can use to explicitly convey their expectations. I plan to give each student a folder in which to keep their completed worksheets. In additon, Sprink discusses how to manage a difficult class, and gives specific ideas. Harry Wongs's philosophy is that when you "teach" expectations (not explaining how to do this), problem behavior is eliminated. Sprink understands that this is not always true. He frames misbehavior in a unique way, calling it "data finding". Some students require more data than others before deciding that you mean what you say. How wonderful for him not to blame the teacher! The book also discusses specific procedures geared towards the difficult class. I have been teaching for 14 years, and Harry Wong's book has always been my main reference guide, but I feel much more confident as the new school year approaches.

Excellent reference on classroom management. Proactive and positive approach, very detailed and with numerous examples. Great for new teachers and to those who would like to enter the teaching profession. Recommended by the American Board for Certification of Excellence (Professional Teaching Knowledge).

Chances are, you (like me) got a degree from your state's teaching school and then began the first day of class with a visage similar to a deer in headlights. Heavens, why in the world didn't they prepare me for all of this stuff that I thought they should know by now?! (i.e. How to leave the room quietly, turn in homework appropriately, take notes when I write them on the board). Well, get over it already; you get to teach it. This book provides a framework for helping you define and teach your classroom expectations. It can be implemented school wide (you have no idea how great it is for everyone when it is implemented); however, I use it as the lone teacher in my school (self contained Behavior Disorders Classroom) and let me tell you-I'm loving it. If it works in my room. . . you get the idea. Once you have clearly defined your expectations, classroom management becomes much more fluid and you can do what you were hired to do. . .you know, teach. Get your principals to buy it for you and get some training. It rocks.

CHAMPS provides practical tips on how to organize and manage a classroom. Excellent tips on how to reduce the probability of problem behaviors arising. I've begun to use it a part of a course I teach on classroom management. Response from students has been very positive. CHAMPS also serves as a good companion to the Encyclopedia of Behavior Management another book by Sprick that I highly recommend.