In order to promote well behaved students, teachers must have clearly established rules and consequences, a consistent response to misbehavior, and an understanding of when to ignore student behavior. Teachers need to keep an eye out for students who misbehave in class in order to receive attention, and reverse that mentality through praise for positive behavior.
Clearly Established Rules and Consequences
Less is more when deciding on rules for your classroom. Decide on three to five positively stated rules either before the first day of school or with the students help on the first day of school and post them in a clearly visible spot in the classroom. These rules should state the expected behavior, not the misbehavior. For example, stating that students remain in their seats is better than stating that students are not to get out of their seats.
The consequences for student misbehavior should be clearly posted or understood. These consequences can be established by the students, by school policy or by the teacher. Those consequences thought up by the students are generally the most effective consequences as many teachers have discovered. Students who know what is expected of them and know what the consequences are for bad behavior are more likely to be respectful in the classroom.
Consistency is Key
On the first day of school, teachers set the tone and expectations for students. Through tone of voice, body language and actions, you need to demonstrate that you are in charge, not the students. When a student breaks a rule, the entire class will be watching to see how you respond. React decisively and appropriately when a student misbehaves, and be consistent each day to establish the expectation that students must follow the rules and be respectful in you class.
Know when to Ignore Student Behavior
Although it is not prudent to ignore students who misbehave or show disrespect in your classroom, it may be beneficial to draw as little attention as possible to the student. Many times students who do not receive attention from their parents at home unless they misbehave will act out in school as well, assuming that to get attention from the teacher, they must misbehave in class.
Minor infractions may be ignored altogether, but remember that this behavior is likely to get worse before getting better. Most times, though, ignoring student behavior will result in more students joining in as they learn that they can get away with misbehaving in class. Respond consistently, and find ways to provide increased attention to students for good behavior to help reduce the attention seeking behavior. Ideas of how to do this include:
- Praising the student in front of the class
- Quiet thanks for staying focused
- Frequent positive comments as the teacher walks around the classroom
- Fast paced learning environment to keep the student on his toes
- Have the student be a special helper or run errands for you
- Assign the student to help a classmate
- Individual behavior plan with incentives such as lunch with the teacher
- Other comments such as "I like how Johnny is sitting quietly in his seat" to call attention to positive behavior.
Most often, students misbehave for a reason. Not understanding the expectations, inconsistency from the teacher, and the desire for attention are three common reasons students act up. Remind students of the expectations and consequences when necessary. Remember to remain consistent in your response to misbehavior and watch for attention seeking behaviors in the classroom to help create a positive atmosphere of respect and learning.
Learn more methods of student discipline. Also, check out My Classroom Management.
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