How to Teach the Defiant & Disruptive Student

Defiant students can take control of a classroom and impede the progress of the class.

Dealing with a disruptive and defiant student is one of the most challenging aspects of controlling the classroom. These students can quickly derail a lesson and can foster a negative environment in your classroom, so dealing with them in the right way is critical to your success as a teacher. Disruptive students do not traditionally react well to embarrassment, power struggles, threats, or physical crowding.

Instructions

1. Maintain a calm attitude and use a neutral speaking voice when addressing the student. Not letting them rile you or draw you into an argument keeps the power balance in your hands.

2. Offer to discuss the issue privately. Getting rid of an audience and showing the student one-on-one attention will help to calm the situation and show them that you are genuinely working to understand their point of view.

3. Set clear expectations for every student you teach, and have clear consequences for behavior that breaks these expectations. Many defiant students work better when they understand what is being asked of them in advance.

4. Reward the student when they perform well with discreet praise or comments on a test or paper. Reinforcing good behavior will encourage the student to continue to perform well, but be careful not to draw attention to their behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Oppositional and disruptive students often have a strong drive to control their environment. Putting them in a leadership position can help them exercise this need productively.

References

• The Apple: How to Deal with an Oppositional and Defiant Student