I'm a teacher. How do I make the kids behave but still like me?

Question

It's only a class of around 15 students, and last year it went pretty well, but there are always those few that cause problems. How can I keep a good learning environment for the kids but also keep those who want to disrupt in line??

Answer 1

Use procedures. Most instances of misbehavior are the result of the student not knowing exactly what is expected of him/her at the time. When you use procedures, most-if not all- of the behavior problems disappear. The students know what is expected, they know the consequences of their choices, and they respond positively to the teacher because they know that you are in control and fair. Might I suggest picking up a copy of "The First Days of School" by Harry and rosemary Wong? Excellent stuff.

Answer 2

There is no easy answer.

You have to be firm when kids are disruptive (or when the situation calls for strictness), but fun, kind, and understanding the rest of the time.

I taught K-8th graders and was liked by most, but was not the favorite of others. I figured that if I was not liked, that was not my primary job anyway. Did they learn? Yes? Then I did my job.

Of course, we all WANT to be liked and create a positive learning environment, make it undesirable to be on your "naughty list" by excluding disruptive students from special projects or outings. Explain that hard work and respect will be rewarded, but other behavior will not be tolerated.

Stay in contact with the parents and make them partners so you can enforce your strict rules. You might also need the support of other teachers and your principal/director if you are forced to remove or leave behind uncooperative students.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 3

There's the old standard: "Don't smile in your classroom until Valentine's Day." It sounds harsh, but the truth behind it is that if you're tough at the beginning of the year, you can lighten up as you go and the students will think you're pretty cool when you do. If, on the other hand, you run a loose environment at the beginning of a school year, the minute you try to crack the whip everyone in the class will think you're a jerk.

If you set a tough tone from day one, you can be tough anytime you need to be later. Classroom discipline is a piece of cake this way. If you're easy at all for the first month or two, you'll never get the kids to accomplish things at a quicker pace later on, and the wise-crackers will crack wise anytime they want, all year long.

Answer 4

Most of the time there isn't a way to keep absolutely every student in line. There's always those few that either don't have the attention span or the discipline to behave themselves through class. First off, you have to establish that -you- are in charge and you -will- punish those who constantly act out in class. However, sometimes it's hard to maintain this and also remain fun.
There's a bunch of different things to do though.
First off, if it's only a couple kids that are acting up, see if there's a reason that they're misbehaving. Maybe they need a different way of learning, like something more hands on or more demonstrations on the board or something to read. Every kid works differently.
Also, try and find out if there's something that's wrong with their schoolwork, maybe they're feeling inadequate due to lowered grades or are maybe being bullied. These obstacles can be overcome somewhat easily, just don't seem like you're trying to baby them or anything.

Answer 5

Do you have a reward system in place? I don't know what grade you are teaching but at the elementary level, I have seen class points - where as a whole the class earns points and then is rewarded with a prize (the one used in the classroom I observed was a popcorn and juice party durring a reading party where the teacher read aloud while the kids munched. After the "party" the teacher asked the kids to put events from the story in order and then illustrate their favorite part in a reading journal.

For the older kids, I use the point system for individual students that they can trade points for "extras" - 25 points for an extra night on a project, 50 points for a homework pass, 150 points for drop my lowest quiz score.

Good luck, I hope you find what works best for you in your room!

Answer 6

I teach high school kids; I have found that showing respect to them from the beginning is key. However, I try to nip behavior problems in the bud by speaking to the student outside of class, one on one (after class). I also follow up with a phone call home, and I ALWAYS have something good to say about the kid to the parent. It is hard at times, but if you show vulnerability early, they will not respect you, and think they can walk all over you. Also, find a way to connect with something you know they like, and praise their honest efforts aloud to the class. Sometimes that all they're looking for anyway, a little positive attention.

Answer 7

Thinkin gback on the teachers I had the ones that had the most impact and the ones I liked the best were the ones that were the strictest. They established clear cut expectations from the beginning and stuck to it. In my classroom I try to make the punishment fit the crime. If a student talks out too much I make them write a report then give it to the class. If your area is a mess I make you clean the desks. I also sit with a student at lunch if I feel they will benefit from that. Some kids will hate to have the teacher sitting next to them at lunch. Good luck to you!

Answer 8

When kids act up it is usually because they aren't plugged into the subject matter. Look for ways to connect the lessons to relevant areas of their life.

Give students some choices in the assignments, if they have some control they will have a higher level of ownership.

I think it is more important to have kids respect you than like you. Good relations are built on mutual respect, that means you need to respect them as individuals first. When I was a high school AP the students who sought me out to talk to or just say hey were often the ones I had to discipline. I would always listen to their side of the story and help them to decide how to handle the situation differently next time. I showed that I respected them!

Answer 9

That is always a challenge to master. I am a Sunday School Teacher and have taught classes and have been a camp counselor for years. And hang out with the kids (play with them, do fun activites with them, etc...) but I also put my foot down when needed. I try to talk to them casually first like 'are you sure you want to be doing that?' or 'do you really think I am going to let you get away with that?' I think these statements are the key you are looking for. This way they still have fun, without getting into any trouble. So you are viewed as the cool guy rather than the mean old teacher!

Good luck. Let me know if you need any more ideas!!!!

Answer 10

I don't know the policy at your school because everything is considered corporal punishment now a days. At my school I have a reward system on a bulletin board and I reward the students with extra computer time, special jobs like taking care of class pet, or extra time at the center of their choice, free h.w pass, small prize from my treasure chest. This usually works for younger groups. I don't know what grade you teach. I remember when I was a kid and their was soooo much respect for teachers I wouldn't dream of misbehaving in class. Now disciple is a joke and the sad thing is tat when you meet the parents you understand why the kids are the way they are. Best wishes.

Answer 11

Act professional. You want the students to like you as an adult not a friend. Try various methods of discipline. Removal from the situation(time out) perhaps in another teacher's room. Contracts on behavior. With only 15 students you should be able to separate the trouble makers.