Student Disturbances in the Classroom

Even elementary school classroom disruptions can turn to violence.

School disturbances in a classroom can vary anywhere from mischievous behavior on the part of one or two elementary students to high school students engaging in physical assaults against classmates or a teacher. Classroom disturbances can contribute to low academic achievement and damage student relationships. Therefore, even minor disruptions must be addressed in the early stages, before they get out of hand and escalate. Peer mediation, parent intervention and even positive teacher incentives for students may assist in diminishing classroom disturbances.

Early Parental Involvement

Teachers who have a disruptive student in their classroom should detail the type of disturbance, frequency and any physical or verbal assaults used. The teacher should send the student immediately to the school office as well and make certain a parent is called and notified of the student's class disruption. A letter and email should also be immediately sent to the parent detailing the student's specific actions and recommended disciplinary action. An immediate parent-teacher conference should be set to discuss disciplinary measures and follow-up course of action. The school counselor and an administrative official should attend the meeting. Early parent involvement may prevent future student class disruptions.

Classroom Clique Disruption

One of the most bothersome disruptions a teacher or student can be exposed to is the classroom cliques who engage in joint teasing, verbal attacks and, in some instances, acts of violence. The behavior is consistently disruptive, and it gains its power from members of the clique whose purpose is to target students for abuse. The goal of the abuse is to embarrass, exclude or cause the student to be rejected by the student's peers. The teacher must confront disruptive clique actions by using disciplinary measures, including after school detention, class suspension or, upon school administration approval, permanent school expulsion for the entire clique.

Student Peer Mediation

Many disruptions in classrooms can be settled in a manageable environment, where both disrupting parties can be helped, by using peer mediation techniques. Peer mediation involves the use of trained student mediators who sit down with the disputants. The disputants agree to specific ground rules which allow both sides to respectfully present their side. The disputant then summarizes the other disputant's side and then presents their suggested solution. After discussing the best alternative solution that each disputant can agree upon, both sides sign a contract based upon the agreed solution, according to the website Studies Guides and Strategies.

Positive Teacher Incentives

One way for teachers to tackle classroom disruption by students is to use positive student incentives that can improve the teaching and learning environment in the classroom. Teachers could create extra credit rewards for students who engage in positive behavior. Community businesses or service organizations could issue certificates to a student or classroom for classroom-sponsored civic volunteerism in a community project. Teachers can use their lesson plans to promote respect for students by focusing on subjects that reinforce positive values, such as respect, good character and mutual cooperation. This may work to prevent disruption by students who feel isolated, alienated or rejected.

References

• Laboratory Consultation Services: School Violence Prevention Course - Part IV
• Nursing Center: Nurturing Hostile Environments: the Problem of School Violence
• Nova Southeastern University: A Sex-Based Examination of Violence and Aggression Perceptions among Adolescents
• U.S. Department of Justice: Guide For Preventing and Responding To School Violence
• Studies Guides and Strategies: Peer mediation
• CDC: School Violence Prevention

Resources

• National Crime Prevention Council: School Safety and Security
• CDC: Youth Violence: Risk and Protective Factors
• National Council On Crime and Delinquency: Children Exposed To Violence
• Davidson College: The Effects of School Violence and Crime on Academic Achievement
• Journal of School Health:Strengthening Health and Education Outcomes for Teenagers
• Western High School: Anaheim, CA: Western High School Assertive Discipline