Strategies for Responding to Misbehavior
No matter how hard you work to prevent problems, it is inevitable that a student will do something that you find unacceptable. When faced with misbehavior, here are a few things to keep in mind...
- Misbehavior can be disruptive and distracting in a learning environment. However, sometimes our 'interventions' can be just as disruptive. When faced with misbehavior that needs to be corrected, attempt to address the situation with a minimum of disruption - keeping instruction and learning going.
- Never belittle, embarrass, or humiliate a disruptive student. Always address the situation calmly, moving the discussion away from classmates if possible, and avoid creating a scene where the student may feel the need to act out in order to assert power or save face in front of their friends.
- Consider the classroom environment and the context of the behavior to determine if a misbehavior has occurred. If a student has broken the rules, harmed another student, or continues to disrupt learning {the very business of a classroom!} - in other words, if the behavior is deemed unacceptable - remedy the situation with a logical consequence that reflects the nature and severity of the offense. While many corrections may be situational, consider instituting a hierarchy of consequences to pull from.
Misbehavior can unbalance even the most well-meaning teacher. Considering these tips, and having a game plan for dealing with disruptions before being faced with them, is sure to make things go more smoothly!