How to Get Your Class to be Quiet and Behave

Every teacher has experienced the frustration of talkative, disruptive students. As a veteran teacher for over 15 years, I still have my days. Take a deep breath and try a variety of techniques to get kids of all ages to quiet down and pay attention.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Patience
• Self-Control
• Creativity

1. Breathe. Count to ten. Step aside for a moment. Do whatever you need to do to stay in control of yourself. Once you lose it, all hope is gone.
2. Stare at the talkers. Practice "the look" in the mirror.
3. Speak in a very quiet, calm, and controlled voice. Make your students strain to hear you.
4. Or say nothing, but start to write in the gradebook. That will get their attention.
5. Create a "listening signal" for younger children. Raise a hand, clap a rhythm, sing a song, or recite a chant. (I've snuck chants and cadence calls into my high school classes, too.)
6. Do something new. Though it's no excuse for poor behavior, maybe your students are bored. Don't let stubborness or pride blind you to the fact that kids might need to move around or shift gears in some way. Play Simon Says. Require more involvement. Make learning relevant and fun.
7. If Step 6 didn't work, give a long, written, non-interactive assignment. Let it be boring. If "boring" is rare in your classroom--which it should be--you just might instill a little appreciation for your innovative, creative lesson plans.
8. When all else fails, do the drill: move seats, write up offenders, call parents. But don't let them see you sweat!
9. Go home and pour yourself a nice chilled glass of Chardonnay or nibble on a dozen or so chocolate chip cookies. You deserve it. Remember that tomorrow is a new day.
10. Sorry . . . forget Step 9. A responsible teacher such as yourself should really just go for a nice long walk or relax in a warm bubblebath. Whatever. Hope tomorrow is a little better!