It’s not often a very familiar picture to see students banging benches, passing negative comments, not listening to the lectures of the teachers, or paying attention to classroom activities. However good teachers have the abilities and skills to make the most of their instructional time in class and minimize distractions or interruptions.
Educators must always have a plan or strategy to deal with a disruptive student or group of students. It is important for them to set the classroom rules and routines and intervene in time so that minor incidents don’t escalate into major ones. We’ve put together some valuable tips for teachers who‘re struggling with disruptive student behavior when teaching:
Create a bond of trust and mutual respect with students
The first step would be to avert those situations from arising in the classroom and set the tone of what is expected from them. Developing a liaison with the students based on love, care, and mutual respect can go a long way in maintaining discipline and decorum in class and reducing disruptive activities when teaching. Undertaking a certificate course in classroom behavior management is ideal for new and prospective teachers to manage the class they want.
Be strict and firm
Ignoring or overlooking inappropriate conduct or misbehavior is a big mistake on behalf of a teacher as it will make the students feel they’ve not done anything wrong or committed a mistake. The best thing to do is to immediately confront them about their behavior irrespective of how small the incident has been. Apart from reprimanding and berating, discussing with them about the problem and the reason behind doing such things can bring out the best solution. Teaching them about what the proper behavior is can make the students realize their mistakes. Providing lessons or explaining to them how their behavior influences or has adverse repercussions on others in class is the best way to bring a change in them. Students may defend themselves early on, but can slowly realize their mistakes in the learning environment.
Listen to what students say
Before jumping to a conclusion, it would be a good idea to listen to the students and their take on the incident or activity. It’s important to listen to their version of the story before passing the verdict. Sometimes, things may happen in a spot where teachers are not present to judge or intervene. Sometimes things happening outside the classroom may impact their behavior or conduct inside. There is a need to look into the matter and provide help to the students who’re in trouble or might misbehave because they’re forced by the circumstances. For example, there might be a confrontation between two students with one being provoked by the other into doing something wrong while later tries to prove her/his innocence. Hence, listening to them can build trust although it may not have much difference on how instructors deal with the situation. To know more about it, pursuing a certificate course in classroom behavior management is a smart move.
Don’t involve classmates
It’s important to maintain privacy and not let the misbehaving student humiliate in front of the classmates. In such a case she/he might not trust the teacher again and undermine her/his credibility and authority. Rather, addressing a learner individually in the hallway or after class will make it fruitful than calling them in front of their peers. They will be more responsive and likely to be more frank and candid with having a conversation with the instructor. It is vital to preserving the dignity of all learners in class.
IITT presents a certificate course in classroom behavior management programs for those teachers who’re looking to upgrade their leadership and classroom organization skills. We bring this comprehensive contemporary program in both regular classroom and online format.
Before becoming a freelance website writer, Laxmon Gope worked as a Montessori teacher to young children for many years. These days she has embarked on private coaching since she had pursued a certificate course in classroom behavior management, and now she takes a keen interest in online teaching programs.