Students often misbehave for attention. He either wants the teacher or classmates to notice him. Other times, students become distracted and wander into behaviors that are not conducive to learning. There are a few beginning basic tips that teachers can use to avert behaviors before they start. These tips also work at the beginning of the misbehavior before it has escalated into a more serious classroom offense.
Demonstrate the behavior you want. A student will only know what is expected of him if he is shown what the teacher wants. For example, if students are suppose to turn in all work after completion and return immediately to their seat, show the students where the turn in box is. Have another student demonstrate how the procedure should work. I only allow one student up at at time. He must turn in his work, not talk to other students on the way and immediately return to his seat. Choose a trustworthy student to demonstrate the proper way to turn in papers. This works with other classroom behaviors and expectations as well. Certain behaviors and procedures may have to be practiced several times before students understand what is expected.
Catch students in good behaviors. When a student is doing what is expected, comment him openly so other students can hear. Not only will the student be proud, but other classmates will notice which behavior was verbally rewarded. You will find other students doing the same, hoping for a comment. Too often teachers get in the habit or correcting improper behaviors and forget to complement the positive ones.
Choose a student to assist in classroom errands. Sometimes teachers fall into the habit of gossiping about other students. Teacher one will tell teacher two that she will have so and so who is an awful behavior problem. If you, as a teacher, here beforehand who the expected behavior problems are, take a reverse approach. Choose that supposed bad student to be the helper the first couple of days of school. Often, these students are merely living up to expected behaviors. I have tried this technique several times and have had great success with it. The very first day, I chose the supposed worst student to be the helper or aide for the day. I always hear a chorus of students announce, “He is bad. Don’t pick him.” The student generally tries his best to behave after being the aid. I am sure to let them help again in the near future. It just may be that this is the first time this student has felt needed and respected. As a new teacher, if you hear other teachers gossiping, head the other way. This type of behavior does nothing to enhance your career or to help your students.
Explain all rules at the beginning of the year. Choose a few that are important. The same goes for procedures such as what to do when work is finished, where to turn in papers, or what to do if your pencil is broke. Before the first day of school, write down all rules on one poster board and all procedures on another. Keep the list to no more than five of each. As students learn what is expected, other rules and procedures can be added to the list. This list serves as a visual reminder of expected rules and classroom routines.
Ensure that there is no classroom dead time. Some teachers reward students for proper behavior by providing down time or free time. I have discovered that this is not a great idea. Students with extra time on their hands often get into mischief and become behavior problems. Keep the lesson moving and transition quickly into other areas of the lesson or other subjects. While I did not allow any down time, I did create some fun classroom review games. The students receive a break from pen, pencil and reading, but are still learning. When students seem to need a change a game of classroom Jeopardy or subject related trivia pursuit gives a break while continuing the learning momentum.
These basic classroom tools for behavior problems create a more organize classroom with fewer behavior problems.