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Hi there! I'm a student, studying to be an elementary school teacher. Part of my major requirements is that I do field observations at elementary schools. One thing I've noticed is that most teachers don't know how to properly manage their class. There are a few disruptive students in each class who always interrupt the teacher. The teacher constantly has to stop what she's doing to try to manage the behavior of this student, taking away time from the rest of the class. She usually puts the student in time-out, but he just continues to behave disrespectfully from wherever he was placed. Mind you, it's usually just talking in class loudly, interrupting a lecture, not following directions, etc. Any tips on how to effectively manage students behavior when it comes to this issue?
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When it comes to student behavior, there are many factors outside of our control. However, we can control the climate in our classroom. Students need to be engaged! They also need to know and be reminded of classroom expectations. Does your teacher have the rules, consequences, and rewards posted in her classroom? Instead of giving all of her attention to the misbehaving child, she could comment and compliment those that are doing what they are supposed to do. If we intervene with disruptive behaviors early in the year and make contact with parents/guardians, we can usually get the misbehavior under control. This is where it is essential to get to know your students. I do a student survey at the beginning of the year. Basically, I find out their likes, dislikes, how many siblings, who they live with, how do they get to and from school. Once you know these things, you can determine why the behavior is occurring. There has to be a payoff for the misbehavior. Is the student doing this to get out of doing work in a subject he/she struggles with? Are they trying to avoid the work or are they thriving on the attention from the class? Back to having an engaging lesson, learn and apply some Kagan strategies. It gets kids up and moving, discussing, it is very controlled, planned, and allows students to ask for information in a risk free environment. That's one more reason for hands on science and other activities in the classroom- high levels of engagement and fewer discipline problems.
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I was a Behavior Tech for three years, and this seems like attention seeking behavior. What worked for me is giving the student praise for all of the little things they do right. I also believe that if you make the disruptive student feel important, and give them "special" responsibilities so that they feel needed. Once they feel like they are an important member, then the praise will come more naturally, and as long as you give them the reinforcement for the positive behavior, I think you will find there will be a decrease in such attention seeking behaviors. I wish you all the best in your studies!!
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Hi Pamela. I have one semester left before I graduate and become an elementary teacher as well. I found your post inspiring. The students that are on target are the ones that deserve the attention. I have discovered this semester, in my student teacher practices, that the students that behave badly are the ones seeking the wrong kind of attention. It can be trying at times but if we can keep the students active and engaged, hopefully they will stay on task. I reviewed the Kagan website you mentioned. I discovered some useful advice. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
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You're welcome, Anna. You can also use the Explore All Resources button at the top menu and search classroom behavior, managing discipline, or anything specific to your needs. There are many articles and scenarios that can help.
My first year teaching, I had a large group of students who were cheating on tests. There were 6 kinds out of a class of 27 fourth graders who were obviously copying answers from others. I knew I needed to do something to stop it but I had no experience in dealing with that issue. Once I prove they cheated, then what do I do? Luckily there was an experienced teacher who was very helpful. I asked her what I should do. She said I should put them all at the same table. I was stunned! What? How will that stop the cheating? She smiled and said, just watch. It will only take a few days before they realize they are cheating off of someone who doesn't know any more than they do. She was right! I still laugh thinking about that.
Always remember that if you need help, you can come here and post the issue in the forums and you can ask a teacher on your campus that will be willing to share their expertise.
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Anna, have you filled out your profile information? You should do that so people who teach in similar fields can follow you. When you share something, they might be interested in it too. You can follow other educators too. You can also send private messages if you want to specifically ask one person for information.
Also, have you started your library? You can collect articles, lesson plans, outside sources. NGSS aligned resources, podcasts, and conference materials by saving them in your library. You can create and share collections. All of those things earn you badges. I wish I had joined NSTA when I first began teaching. I feel connected to other educators, with a passion for science, in a global community through the NSTA forums.
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