12 Σεπ 2010

Classroom Management - Managing Disruptive Behavior


Του Deb Peterson, About.com Guide

Establishing Norms

Setting classroom norms at the very beginning of a class is one of the best methods of classroom management. Hang a flip chart or poster, or dedicate a section of white board if you have the space, and list expected classroom behaviors. Refer to this list when disruptions occur. Using a flip chart or white board can be especially useful because you can involve students in the construction of the list on the first day and in that way get buy-in. Start with a few of your own expectations and ask the group for additional suggestions. When you all agree on how you want the classroom to be managed, disruptions are minimal.

Your list of norms may look something like this:

* Start and end on time
* Turn off or silence cell phones
* Save texting for breaks
* Respect the contributions of others
* Be open to new ideas
* Resolve differences calmly
* Stay on topic

Saving Questions for Later

It’s always a good idea to address questions of any kind when they occur because curiosity provides fabulous teaching moments, but sometimes it just isn’t appropriate to get off track. Many teachers use a flip chart or white board as a holding place for such questions to ensure they’re not forgotten. Call your holding place something appropriate to your topic. I’ve seen parking lots and flower pots. Be creative. When a question being held is eventually answered, mark it off the list.

Managing Mild Disruptions

Unless you’ve got a completely obnoxious student in your classroom, chances are good that disruptions, when they do occur, will be fairly mild, calling for mild management. We’re talking about disruptions like chatting in the back of the room, texting, or someone who is argumentative or disrespectful.

Try one, or more, if necessary, of the following tactics:

* Make eye contact with the disruptive person
* Remind the group of the agreed-upon norms
* Move toward the disruptive person
* Stand directly in front of the person
* Be silent and wait for the disruption to end
* Acknowledge the input, put it in your “parking lot” if appropriate, and go on
o "You may be right…"
o "Thanks for your comment…"
o "How about if we park that comment and come back to it later…"
* Ask for help from the group
o "What does everyone else think?"
* Rearrange the seating if you think it will help
* Call for a break

Handling Persistent Disruptions

For more serious problems, or if the disruption persists:

* Speak with the person privately
* Confront the behavior, not the person
* Speak for yourself only, not the class
* Seek to understand the reason for the disruption
* Ask the person to recommend a solution
* Review your expectations of classroom behavior if necessary
* Try to get agreement on expected norms
* Explain any consequences of continued disruptions

Sharing Challenges

It’s generally unprofessional to share frustrations about individual students with other teachers who may be influenced toward that person in the future. This doesn’t mean you can’t consult with others. Just choose your confidants carefully. One safe place is in the Continuing Education forum. It’s a great place to share problems, stories, and solutions.

Πηγή:
http://adulted.about.com/od/teachers/a/disruptions.htm