Negatives of Dealing With Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom

Whenever possible, try to settle disputes with a student outside of the regular class.

Whenever possible, an educator shouldn't get into a struggle over behaviors with students in front of the rest of the class. Students that engage in disruptive behaviors are quite skilled at working the crowd to their advantage. More often than not, arguing with students in the midst of an ongoing class will make the teacher the one who looks foolish in the exchange. If at all possible, it is best to handle disruptive behavior outside of an ongoing class.

Take a Student Aside

If a student persists in a disruptive behavior past your stage of warning, don't make a scene that draws attention to the student flaunting your rules. Whenever possible take a student aside to discuss the matter privately. A quiet discussion at the teacher's desk, away from students or stepping out into the hallway are good ways to speak to a student away from their "fans." If a student doesn't feel the peer pressure to impress other students they may be more willing to accept the rules and consequences for behavior. Never try to use embarrassment as a punishment, this will only fuel more defiance.

Wait Until After Class

Waiting until after class is over is a good way to avoid an audience during a disagreement. This tactic has the additional value of instant consequence. You'll be surprised how far a delay of only a few minutes after school or on the way to lunch will change a student's behavior. Rushing to the next class, to catch the school bus, or to be on time for clubs or practice will make students think twice about engaging in disruptive behaviors in the future. This method can also be applied to asking a student show up early for the next class with a consequence in place for failure to do so.

Call in an Ally

Getting help from an outside authority is another effective way to curtail disruptive behavior in a professional and authoritative manner. Rather than engage in an argument over a rule or behavior, ask the student in question if they'd like to discuss it with a principal, parent, or another teacher. In some cases, a disruptive student might call your bluff and ask to speak to the person in question with a show of bravado, trying to dissuade you from following through. Not surprisingly, while students may claim that a principal, parent or another teacher will back them up, usually the student is made to accept the consequences of their behavior. Although this tactic does take place in front of the rest of the class, calling in an outside authority avoids public argument, which takes away a teacher's authority. Additionally, it shows fairness and an impartial attitude to other students, taking authority away from the misbehaving student.

Address the Problem to an Outside Authority Away From the Class

If the situation is not dangerous, preventing other students from engaging or stopping you from teaching, it could be best to give the student a temporary reprieve. After class you can write a disciplinary referral form, call an administrator for advice, or contact a parent. Letting a student perceive that they have won the short-term victory can diffuse a situation before it becomes a disruptive scene. It is an effective lesson in consequence when the student receives a consequence at the hands of an administrator or parent, that may be more severe than your consequence or penalty in the classroom. Furthermore, this method allows for the student to receive consequence without being able to make an emotional appeal to classmates.

References

• "First-Year Teacher's Survival Kit"; Julia G. Thompson; 2002.
• "The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher"; Harry K. Wong and Rosemary Wong; 2009.
• "You Have to Go to School ... You're the Teacher!"; Renee Rosenblum-Lowden and Felicia Lowden Kimmel; 2007