5.0 out of 5 stars First year teacher

J.S. · June 12, 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } The tips in this book are actually applicable. So many teacher help books are full of what we already know. This author uses real world examples and includes some “what ifs.” I found this very helpful as I am going into my first year of teaching. I will keep this in my classroom with me and reference it when needed.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the nosiest classrooms

M.S. · June 10, 2025

Easy read, perfect when you as a teacher feel that you have tried everything.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for teachers who are new or those who are having trouble being consistent or calm with their classroom management

C.A.T. · August 13, 2017

This book is great for teachers who are new to the field or educators who are having trouble being consistent with their classroom management or those who find it hard to handle difficult kids in a calm manner. I know I use a lot of these strategies already and other teachers usually come to me for help in classroom management. It's nice now to have a book that discusses the strategies I use and I can recommend this book to others who would like specific examples or don't have time to visit me in the classroom. I was hoping for some advanced strategies for those kids who cycle through every few years where none of your usual tricks work. And I confess, with a family and second job, I don't have the time to visit my students for their soccer games or plays, which was one of the suggestions. I know students would love to see their teachers supporting them, but it's not feasible for many teachers with families or long commutes to be able to do so and it would be nice to be offered other alternatives to do on campus.

5.0 out of 5 stars I buy this book for every new teacher I know!!!

C.G. · January 26, 2023

This book literally changed my career forever. He gives tons of applicable realistic applications of good classroom and just all around good classroom environment! I buy this book for every person I know that is going into a career of teaching! Lots of things applicable for all grade levels! I am a high school math teacher and I use a lot of the things it talks about, but it could definitely be applied in a preschool classroom and everything in between. I used one of the strategies in this book called an anchor during an observation my principal did and she gave me a shout out in front of everybody at the next staff meeting because of how well it worked (almost magically). You will not regret getting this book! Some stuff that is definitely hard to implement, but I have no doubt that if a teacher implemented everything in this book they would have a thriving and joyful teaching career!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Amazing Book!

P.L.H. · February 29, 2016

I have to say that I’m totally in love with this book! Anyone who knows me knows that I believe before we can even begin teaching, we need to take control of our classroom. This book explains everything that I believe in. And it is an easy book to read with some humor thrown in too.The author breaks everything into 2 sections: establishing control and then step by step strategies to use in the classroom. Examples are given so you can “see” it in practice. The strategies are broken down and explained clearly. It is possible to try a strategy and get it in place and then trying another strategy. The classroom is always evolving and with different students’ personalities so not one particular strategy may be the perfect one for everyone’s classroom. It is like trying to develop a recipe that works best for you.I believe this book needs to be on every teacher’s bookshelf, every administrator’s bookshelf, and one in the school resource library for those teacher’s who don’t own a copy! This is a must read for every beginning teacher as well as a refresher course for experienced teachers!

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, practical tips that actually work!

N.A. · January 29, 2019

I was struggling with a very difficult class, when I happened upon Rob Plevin’s book. I was hooked from the moment I picked it up. Humor and honesty really makes this book an enjoyable read. Not only is it a delightful read, but the tips and tricks are easy to implement. I was a little skeptical at first, until I actually tried his filtering method of getting students into the classroom in a calm and quite manner. It worked like a charm. Not only did it work, but it fit my teaching style!! I have implemented many of the methods and ideas in this book, and am happy to say that it has changed the way I feel about my most difficult classes! Rob Plevin and his books are now my go to for any classroom management issues.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must to read to manage the classroom

K.C. · June 15, 2023

I was looking for a material to overcome my frustration on not having control over my students in my first year as a teacher. All advice given in my first year in the USA is here, but with more details and techniques. Please read it and you won't regret.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good

T.G. · December 20, 2023

This book has some really good information. I feel like it’s not as relevant for lower grades, but there are still some useful tips.

The only behaviour management handbook you'll ever need

b. · January 29, 2019

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } What I love most about this book are the practical examples that allow you to immediately apply Rob Plevin’s philosophy of teaching, his dedication to positive reinforcement and behaviour management, which is rooted in mutual respect and fun, in the classroom with confidence. He even tells you exactly what to say. A complete dream for a newbie teacher. How often are we faced with experienced mentors firing back a “well what would you do?” when you ask them direct questions about issues with behaviour management - “I really don’t know” is usually my answer! “That’s why I’m asking you. I'm at the end of my tether!”.In every chapter (and in a helpful reference list at the back) are a set of ways that you can apply his ideas straight away but more importantly - and like all good teachers - he relates the ideas back to our own experiences as teachers and human beings. In the chapter Positive Reinforcement, Rob tells the brutally honest story of his own financial rock bottom - it was only then did he realise that punitive action has little to no effect on those who already feel lowest of the low. Unsurprisingly, it was praise and a significant elevation in self-esteem that came flooding in from his devoted supporters that got him back on his feet. And it’s that story that sticks with me now as I deliver meaningful praise, - which for me is sometimes entirely scripted by Rob’s examples. I know that I will become more spontaneous in time, but in the meanwhile I find the actual tools for dealing with the toughest part of this job are contained almost wholesale within the pages of this book. Thank you Rob - from me and from the numerous troubled souls that have also benefitted from me applying your years of wisdom and kindness of heart in my own classroom.

Grounded Practical and Effective Advice

A.C. · January 10, 2017

'Take Control of the Noisy Class' was key to making a switch from dreading my classes to feeling a sense of optimism and enjoyment around teaching. This is a book very clearly created from the 'coal face' of teaching and really is an essential read for anyone wanting to enjoy (as opposed to just surviving) their teaching career.

Indispensable

a. · January 28, 2020

Livre indispensable à tout jeune professeur en difficulté avec sa classe et à toute personne devant dispenser des formations en règle générale (oui, ça marche aussi sur les adultes, j'ai essayé !). Amélioration garantie dès la mise en pratique. Mais ces méthodes demandent quand même un certain investissement en temps de la part du professeur. Une traduction en français serait bienvenue

Highly suggest for new teachers

K. · July 6, 2019

What I like about the author, Rob Plevin is that he gives real-life examples of what he did wrong and how he learned from his mistakes. This book is straight forward, clear and I think easy to apply. If one strategy doesn't work for you, there's plenty more. Can you tell I'm a big fan? Thanks Rob for all your work!!

This book allows us to control the classroom atmosphere.

F.A. · January 30, 2019

This is my second year teaching and I am reflected in every situation in class described by Rob and I recognise that this book has changed my life along with my teaching methods and management of the class. Now, I feel more confident teaching whit all the strategies that I have learnt. In my opinion, it is absolutly remarkable and memorable the chapter of consequences. I have used his effective use of consequences and it works. The students feel better with me and vice versa. Moreover, it is completely applicable to compulsory primary and secondary education of Spain. This book is really astonishing not only for trainee teachers but also for experienced teachers. I thoroughly recommend it.