Very few teachers manage their classrooms the same way they did when they first started – it’s very much a learned skill and should be refreshed and fine-tuned regularly. With this idea in mind, we’ve put together a list of our 5 favorite classroom management books to help new and seasoned teachers get the most of out of their classes and students.
Related: 5 Incredible Professional Development Books for Teachers
Based on feedback, these management books are perfect for teachers who might want to:
- Better work with parents
- Establish better classroom boundaries
- Understand why a student is behaving a certain way
Many of these books have set on teachers’ desks for years and continue to provide tips on how best to manage a classroom – we hope you find one that suits your needs!
Best Classroom Management Books (for ANY Teacher)
Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them
In Lost at School, Ross W. Greene provides teachers with in-depth information on how parents and teachers can work together in better assisting behaviorally challenged students. With an emphasis on the importance of collaboration, communication, and building authentic relationships with kids, this book is of use for both the new and experienced teacher. Dr. Greene includes valuable information on behavioral science and ways to practically apply that information to relationships between teachers, parents, and children. Teachers will learn to cultivate strong relationships with their students that will help them better resolve the conflicts that are holding them back.
Why we like it:
Dr. Greene’s outlook on the education system and his aim to foster deeper relationships with students are inspiring and ever-hopeful. He gives a teacher the tools to successfully identify the true causes of challenging behavior and effective solutions to help the child. Stories provided at the beginning of the book will help a teacher realize that they are not alone in dealing with challenging students and that they are absolutely capable of helping them.
Who is it for?
This book can be of benefit not only school teachers but also parents and other school administrators.
The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher
This book is a best-seller and covers everything a teacher needs to know about managing a classroom and teaching for student success. Harry Wong will give new and experienced teachers ready to follow steps for preparing and organizing a classroom for student achievement. These methods can be used throughout the year and are applicable to any grade level- pre-k through college. The book has been used constantly since its release and now has 4 editions. It will give practical information a teacher can directly apply to their classroom to make changes as needed.
Why we like it:
It’s full of research, photos, and examples of how to be the most effective teacher you can be. What teacher doesn’t want their first day of school to go smoothly? This book can be considered an educator’s goldmine when it comes to making the absolute best out of that first day.
Who is it for?
Though this book is suited for any educator it can be especially useful to the young teacher who may be feeling nervous about not only their first day but also their first year.
Teacher’s Encyclopedia of Behavior Management: 100 Problems/500 Plans
The Teacher’s Encyclopedia of Behavior Management takes specific behaviors a child is exemplifying and gets to the heart of why they are behaving that way and what to do next. What’s great about this book is that it provides a solid blueprint and varying plans for tackling each behavioral issue. It will make as a great brainstorming tool for experienced teachers who look to treat each student at the individual level. Behaviors are broken up alphabetically and give 3 to 5 examples of how to best redirect the behavior according to the level of severity.
Why we like it:
The format of this book is what gives it an edge- easy to read and can directly apply to students in the classroom.
Who is it for?
This book is a must-read for special-ed teachers, counselors, and psychologists.
Teach Like a Champion 2.0: 62 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College
Teach Like a Champion is an international bestseller. There are many ideas presented in the book from how to best manage a classroom to inspiring student engagement. The updated version features techniques from top teachers around the world, an online platform that will give a teacher access to over 70 videos of teachers modeling the techniques, and a new structure that emphasizes the techniques they have found the be the most important. With all of the lesson plans, extra resources, and input from multiple outstanding educators the information found in this book can be applied to a variety of classrooms.
What we like about it:
It is inspiring and practical with information on the school year in its entirety, not just the beginning or end.
Who is it for?
Teachers of any level should add this book to their library.
Setting Limits in the Classroom
The discipline employed in a classroom can make or break the school year for both a teacher and the students taking the class. This book is a must-read for doing it right. Setting Limits in the Classroom presents the teacher with a scenario and 2 possible reactions to the scenario – one that works, and one that doesn’t.
What we like about it:
It gives a teacher the proper tools to handle a situation where disciplinary action is necessary without having to involve administration. It uses a humane and common sense approach. Who can argue with that? The techniques in this book will cut out much of the frustrating battle between teacher and student by applying the idea to the classroom that what will follow a logical decision to break a rule is a logical consequence.
Who is it for?
A new teacher trying to find their backbone during their first year will benefit from this book. Also good for an experienced teacher caught in a rut or dealing with an out-of-control classroom.
Which management books did we miss?
Many teachers equate their favorite classroom management books with their favorite pen so there’s no doubt we missed a few with this abbreviated list. We’d love to hear about which you’ve used, what you liked, and ones that deserve to be included!
