Classroom Management

The 21st century classroom is about training knowledge workers and not about factory workers. With thinking students, “command and control” methods of class management may not be suitable. In corporate management, one book that touched on this subject is Managing People is Like Herding Cats by Warren Bennis.

Applying Sun Tzu’s strategies in classroom management is a collection of anecdotes and observation by teachers on how ideas from more than 2000 years ago may be applicable today in the classroom.

For those teachers who are from the traditional schools, do note that this is not the ‘answer’ but rather ideas to help you resolve disciplinary and classroom control issues. Wishing for the the ‘good old days’ is not going to help. Ironically the answers may be in a manual written thousands of years ago. On the other hand, the ‘good old days’ methods may be newer and started from the industrial revolution where the underlying education premise is in training workers in the most efficient manner.

To have good class management, we may want to emulate “The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign. This general is the jewel of the kingdom.”