Every year I notice the same trend in teaching.

September rolls around, and for the most part, students are listening, routines are flowing, and you feel like you’re on top of everything. Then October hits—and suddenly behaviors start creeping up. Transitions take longer, students push boundaries, and the classroom doesn’t feel quite as smooth as it did a few weeks ago.

So what do you do before things get out of hand? Let’s break it down.

Why This Happens

The “honeymoon phase” of the school year doesn’t last forever. Here’s why behaviors often rise in October:

• Kids Test Boundaries – Students are figuring out what’s truly expected and how consistent you’ll be in enforcing it.
  
  
• Routines Get Sloppy – As the weeks go on, small details of routines get overlooked, leading to bigger issues.
  
  
• Teacher Fatigue Sets In – You’ve been giving it your all, and it’s natural to feel tired. But fatigue can sometimes show up as looser expectations.
  
  

Recognizing the why behind these shifts helps you respond instead of react.

Don’t Throw Everything Out

The first instinct might be to scrap what you’ve been doing and start over—but you don’t have to! The foundation you’ve built is still solid.

Instead, revisit and reteach your classroom procedures. Go back to the basics: how to line up, transition, grab materials, or ask for help. If you want a shortcut, my Classroom Procedure Slides walk students step by step through the routines so you don’t have to start from scratch.

Consistency is King

When behaviors increase, it’s easy to start giving lots of warnings in hopes that students will get back on track. But too many warnings water down your authority.

Instead, focus on consistency. Implement a no more warning policy by giving students a clear choice:

• Follow the expectation.
  
  
• Or receive a logical consequence.
  
  

The most important part? Follow through every time. Students thrive when they know the rules are predictable and fair.

Stay Calm and Confident

Your energy sets the tone for the classroom. If you’re stressed or unsure, students can sense it. The opposite is also true: when you show up calm, confident, and steady, students rise to meet that energy.

Even on tough days, take a deep breath, reset your energy, and approach your class with the certainty that they will rise to your expectations.

Wrap Up

The honeymoon phase may be over, but that doesn’t mean chaos is inevitable. Instead of starting from scratch:

• Understand why it happens.
  
  
• Revisit your procedures.
  
  
• Be consistent with consequences.
  
  
• Show up calm and confident.
  
  

When you lean into these strategies, you’ll reset the tone of your classroom and keep things running smoothly through the rest of the year.

Next Steps for Teachers

Ready to tighten up your classroom management even more? These resources can help:

• Classroom Management Guide – Step-by-step strategies to reset and strengthen your routines.
  
  
• Classroom Management Bundle – A full toolkit of done-for-you resources.
• The Present Teacher Circle – Join my membership for ongoing coaching and classroom support.