Behaviour Management

Here is a list of possible solutions to the many problems that teachers face every day. We mention 'possible' as each individual is unique and what might work for one won't necessarily work for another.

After working with many young people who have attitudinal and behavioural problems there seems to be a common denominator. Most of the them have issues that may include one or other of the following: mental/sexual/physical abuse, rejection, bad parenting, lack of love, drugs/alcohol, peer pressure.

Firstly, in no way do any of the above make excuses for bad behaviour. Bad behaviour should be punished. But, only if that punishment serves a purpose other than to hurt. In other words it should be remedial and bring to an end the negative attitudes and behaviours.

Secondly, most young people with issues are angry and stressed and are used to being dealt with in a similiar way. It is amazing what a 1:1, heart to heart meeting will do especially when they find out that you are a human being.

There are many great teachers out there who are 'veterans' of behaviour management. Every new teacher should seek them out and listen to their words of wisdom even if some of their 'ways' seem a little radical. You might find a few below.

When all Hell is Breaking Loose

When you are about to have a nervous breakdown because the whole class seems to be bouncing off the walls try one of these.

Get your list of Lateral Thinking problems out and have a 5 minute question and answer session. If you can afford to give them a lollipop for a correct answer.

Show or discuss a clip from your favourite Film Clips. There are clips for just about every subject including low self-esteem, low confidence, bad behaviour, drugs/alcohol, peer pressure, success, achievement, positive thinking, great role-models and so on.

Do an energy exercise and get bums off seats. We use juggling, human-knots and ball games. Buy a book on ice-breakers, group exercises.

Pull out a Magic Trick and then get one of the students to show the class one of theirs. We will have a book of Magic Tricks soon.

Put a list of teenage subjects on the board and ask them to choose one for a 5 minute discussion.

Get your laptop out and connect to YouTube and show them a great video that you have found. For your own indulgence check out - Chewin the fat (school teacher). At the very least it should make you laugh!

Ask each person to tell you one thing that they have done since they were last in your class. It could be anything. An achievement. Something that made them happy. A problem they overcame, etc.

Ask them what they would do with a class full of people that disrespects themselves. They will probably ask why you think they disrespect themselves. You can tell them that they are giving someone an opportunity to treat them they way they are acting; that their education will suffer and they won't last 5 mins in the big wide world without it; that without education they won't be able to help their own kids with their homework; that without a decent education their standard of living might be lower.

MORE TO FOLLOW

A Story of Rage

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