4 New Teacher Tips on How to Prevent Discipline Problems
January 7, 2010 by admin
Filed under Classroom Management and Organization
Many potentially good new teachers become absorbed in managing the class and reporting bad behavior. They tend to focus on the negative consequences of their students’ misbehavior. As a result, they lose focus of what their students can do, instead of what they can’t.
Effective classroom management means knowing when to use the personal touch in various classroom situations. The key is to build a positive relationship consistently as part of good teaching not simply to avoid discipline problems.
Give the student a sense of belonging
Consider the changing the way you relate to your disruptive student who often creates havoc in your lessons as a perfect opportunity to neutralize negative behavior. Whether students are upset about a friend or a test, teachers need to act as “emotional guardians” and not only as disciplinarians. Often the students’ very own fear of failure causes them to misbehave. Here are some ways to give students a sense of belonging:
Say something positive in a calm and reassuring way
· Smile at the student; it will deflect some of the negative tension. Your classroom will be calmer too.
· Say something that also creates a positive relationship with the rest of the class. Example: “Adam looks a little tired, doesn’t he class?”
Set the expectation on the very first day that every student will succeed.
From the first day, approach your class with a positive affirmation. I always write or say on the first day of school: “We are all working together – I am here to see you succeed.” This is my own personal mantra, which gives the class the message that I am not only their teacher but I am looking out for their success. Students appreciate it when you want them to succeed and many will try and live up to that expectation.
Turn individual problems into a cooperative classroom relationship.
When a student begins to misbehave, build the personal touch. Instead of just dealing one-on-one with the student, involve the entire class in the scenario. Start by asking how his or her day went, or say something like: “I saw you on the basketball court and you were excellent.” Then you can turn to the class and say: “wasn’t he great?” or “You did so well yesterday in English class, let’s see if s/he can do that again.” Over time, you will raise that student’s self-esteem and strengthen your overall relationship with the entire class.
In addition to maintaining a positive learning environment, teachers need to come across to students as human and approachable to the students. Initially, this is hard for new teachers to balance, but it is a necessary first step.
For more classroom tested tips, read my ebook: “Tips and Tricks for Surviving and Thriving in the Classroom,” at: www.MakeYourTeachingSparkle.com and you’ll receive a FREE ebooklet, “Yes! You Can Teach K-12 English language learners Successfully!”
