Managing the Madness: A Practical Guide to Middle Grades Classrooms

by Jack Berckemeyer

In the pages of Managing the Madness you ll find innovative and specific ideas on discipline, humor, technology integration, student-teacher interactions, attention grabbers, classroom management, and much more. He tackles the most awkward situations that arise in middle level classrooms that are not often considered in other books. "There are moments with Jack Berckemeyer when I think I m in the presence of absolute genius; he s a dynamo that never fails to inspire. Using everyday classroom realities, Jack cultivates our instructional potential, using acts of kindness, stunning wit, and vibrant applications of the middle school concept. And just as refreshing, there are other times when Jack is an overgrown adolescent who is making good on his promise to his teachers that he d one day rule the educational universe and inject it with a healthy dose of warped and wonderful humor. We are lucky to be in his orbit."
Rick Wormeli

Genres: Education

139 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amanda Lucero · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I saw the author lead a professional development workshop years back and loved his personality and the many novel ideas he shared. Unfortunately, this book has very little in the way of unique, specific strategies. So much of it left me thinking, "well duh". You're supposed to build relationships with your students... You don't say. There's one part where he says he has a strategy to help empower students, and it ends up being a choice board for a Language Arts assignment. Been there, done that. If you're brand new to education you might get something out of this; I, however, am not and did not.

[Lindsey Hoobler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the practicality of this book. There were tangible steps you could take after reading it. However, there wasn’t a lot of NEW information to me, and the parts about technology and staying “relevant” were completely outdated.

[Chrissy Shea Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems like teaching 101. Some good ides but nothing that will change my world.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read and has a lot of helpful tips for dealing with middle school age classrooms for a newbie teacher like me!

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was recommended by an author I hold in high esteem, but I should remember that authors are often friends and friends often help scratch each other's backs by recommending each other's books.

At $25 for 135 scant pages (with big font and ample spacing between lines), this book's price per page ratio is a bit steep for your average teacher budget. It also clearly labored and stretched matters to reach "book" status. There is little in the way of specific lesson plans or pedagogy here, if that is what you seek. Rather this is a basic collection of tips and pointers designed for new (and I mean NEW -- as in with very little mileage in the classroom) teachers. It might make a good gift, then, for just-out-of-college teachers, although more thorough volumes can be had out there. For most experienced teachers? Not a necessary read by any means.

Chapter topics: Rule #1 Engage Them; Show You Care: Attention, Humor, Trends; Design the Environment; Meet the Technology Challenge (Eds. Note: Chapters like this can't help but become dated -- and in a hurry); Teach Social Skills and Manners; Channel Adolescent Power; Discipline Proactively; Share Discipline; and Manage Classroom Interruptions.

The plus is Berckemeyer's sense of humor. Obviously he managed middle schoolers with his self-deprecating style and ability to laugh. It's also a good basic (BASIC!) primer in a USA TODAY or READER'S DIGEST-style format. Quick, easy, and light. If you're looking for something real meaty, however, keep walking. The educational deli is further along....

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't think of anything in this book that is original, eye-opening, and not already covered by What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know with greater detail and more varied teaching strategies. This book felt like a string of platitudes you tell the brand-spankin'-new teacher, or the dinosaur-teacher who hasn't changed worksheets in 30 years. But, it's not for someone who knows their classroom and community, and wants to enhance their practice.

This feels like more of a money-grab than a sincere recommendation, AMLE. I'm disappointed.

[Woodrós · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berckemeyer was excellent and hilarious in person and an exceptional presenter, and his book contained nuggets of wisdom that will be useful to me as a new teacher especially if I am in a middle school context.

[Amanda Gilles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met him in person at a conference and like he is in person, his book has a great sense of humor roped into some good lessons.

[Danae · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, practical advice for teachers of young adolescents. Also has some parts to share with parents that could be useful. Resources imbedded in the reading to make it even more useful!