Book Review.......
Cracking the Hard Class

Bill Rogers has a great track record when it comes to classroom behaviour and this book will be a very positive addition to his reputation. This particular resouce is aimed at the harder than average class but not necessarily the very challenging one – there is still room for more work in that area. To be fair to the author, he is very clear that he is not promising the holy grail and is focused upon sensible approaches that will assist teachers in the not too uncommon situation of a difficult to manage class. 

In practical terms the book examines and provides good examples of classroom agreements, reinforcement approaches, following up on disruptive students, intervention etc. He gives very concrete examples that allows the reader easily visualise the situation and apply to their own context. Many of the ideas and strategies may seem obvious and to a large extent that is true. However, it is in the subtle differences that he often brings to common sense approaches that Rogers’ text proves its worthiness of a second glance. 

In particular this text will of use to teachers early in their career as well as those who at any point in their teaching lives want to take a step back and review some of their taken for granted approaches and ask whether some refinement or even radical reform is required! On the whole, this book is recommended as useful guide and resource.