How do you manage unruly pupils?

Question

I've been working as a teacher merely for five months and I still find it hard to discipline some children. I tell them to be quiet and while this works for a while, within a few minutes everything gets back as it was. Do you believe that it's too soon for me to achieve that, given the fact that I'm too young to be obeyed - being 24 I'm just ten years older than them. In younger classes -ages ranging between 7 and 12- I don't have that problem. What do you think I should do? Should I be feared in order to have them under control?

Answer 1

As an experienced teacher, may I suggest that you not tell your students to "be quiet". I get the feeling that you are shouting at your class. The best way to deal with unruly students is "one on one". In other words, take the student one side and talk to him/her in private. Say something positive to the student. For instance, in a soft and kind voice, say, "I was very impressed with your report which was very well organized and well written. However, I was disappointed with your behaviour in today. I find it very annoying when you shout across the classroom to you friend. I want you to please refrain from disrupting the class." As you talk to the student maintain eye to eye contact and remind him/her to look at you while you are talking. Never try to discipline a student while he/she has an audience.
Remember, you will catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar. If a student continues to be unruly, phone the parents and arrange to meet with them.

Answer 2

Your age is not an issue. 11-18 year- olds will perceive you as seriously grown up. You'll find it hard to discipline some pupils when you've been teaching for five years..Twenty five years! It's a hard job which you cannot shirk. If you want quiet you must have it. As the teacher you are to be seen to be calling the shots. Be absolutely clear, firm and consistent with your expectations. An appropriate working atmosphere is essential, right from the start. You have a duty to the pupils to insist on it. If the problem is bad, put the lesson plan on hold and let this become the subject of the lesson. You say things work for a while so your pupils sound as though they're used to co-operating. Don't tell children to 'Be quiet'. It's too vague . It also tends to be ineffectual, especially if shouted over noise. If the problem is with talking loudly, say 'Stop Talking!'. A specific, unambiguous command. When the talking persists, tell the class to stop what they're doing and look at you. Repeat if necessary until you have the attention of everyone. Never attempt to talk or shout over inattentive pupils. Remind the class that they have been told not to talk, that you now require silence, and there will be a sanction for whoever speaks. Bad Note, loss of housepoint..whatever's the first line of attack at your school. Someone WILL speak, usually the most hardworking, nicest, least troublesome pupil. You MUST act with your sanction straight away otherwise all will be lost. A ten minute silent -working stint when you attempt no teaching, but monitor the silence very deliberately, will reinforce what you expect. At the end of this time praise the class for showing they can be quiet and tell them that the real test will be to continue to work that way wthout a threat hanging over them. If things get noisy again, repeat the excercise, stressing that you're concerned even more about their disobedience as their noisiness. You might have to do this a few times and it can be tedious but you must persist because the pupils certainly will! Make sure your pupils know what you expect and stick to your guns. You can remain calm throughout, you'll only be feared if youre a scary person or a bully. Be firm, have conviction that you know best, and you'll get cooperation through mutual respect.

Answer 3

I work in a very rough school in the south west of England. I use a number of different strategies in my classroom. First, I'm sure you have heard this before, you need to be firm but fair at all times, you need to be consistent, praise when praise is due and discipline when necessary. It is generally not the whole class who are disruptive but the odd one or two who then wind up the others. Find these one or two and focus on them with lots of clear praise and again discipline when necessary. I also operate a rewards system in the class whereby children can earn points for good behaviour. The three children with the most points at the end of the week win a prize, usually a healthy snack!! Ha Ha Ha I have found this the hardest thing to run as you need to be regularly giving points and if you miss some the kids lose interest in it. But when working it works a treat. Hope this has helped.

Answer 4

I would have to say take valium either take it yourself or give it to the pupils. Only joking check out the discipline policy that the school has and make sure you have the support of your PT SMT ect, make sure that everytime there is an incident you log it and inform you PT, follow the discipline policy to the letter to cover your back. Sometimes its possible to have the pupil removed, get some extra help SEN, or even teacm teach the class. this will make things a lot less stressful for you. One more thing, keep on smiling do not ever let them see that they are getting to you because they will bring you down.
Hope this helped.
PS im 23 the age range i teach is 11 - 18 so never think its that and also you should never be feared, a pupil will respond better to a teacher they respect and Trust.

Answer 5

Well my guess is you are talking about Middle school age children...and perhaps high school as well....but middle school age is known for being hard to control. Some teachers would just refuse to teach them.

If you feel you are better with the younger age, just stay with the age groups you do well with. The older kids take a very firm attitude...and they have to know you mean what you say and that you will act quickly. They are testing you, and you are losing because you are not acting quickly enough to establish your authority.

You don't have to be mean, or loud, or shouting, etc....you just have to focus in on the leader of the group (if you can)...or the one causing the most trouble and give him one warning...then act. Remove him from class, send him to the office, etc.

It would also be good for you to observe a teacher in action....who could show you some good tips of controlling the class....don't be afraid to sit in on one.

Age probably doesn't matter "if" you use a voice of authority, and don't tolerate kids taking over your class. If you use a soft-spoken or hesitant tone, you will have more trouble.

The alternate choice is just stick with an age you are comfortble with....lots of teachers do just that!

Answer 6

There are a number of options you could take. Don't tell them what not to do, tell them what to do! Instead of "be quiet", you might try to redirect their attention back to the task at hand. Depending on the situation, you could do this by walking over to the child and quietly seeing how they are going with their work and if they need help. At this stage you could also remind them to work quietly and why you would like them to do so. For example, "It's important everyone works quietly so we can all get our work done. I can see you have started your work, do you know what to do now?" ... Depending on how they respond you might like to add, "If you continue to disrupt the class you will (insert consequence- not get your work done and have to complete it at break or I will have to ask you to leave etc..")

If the child is talking while you are talking, say their name in mid sentence (gets their attention) and get them immediately engaged in the topic again by asking an opinion or a simple question. Should they continue to disrupt others, do what you said you would do. Be consistent!! It might take a few times before they finally understand your position but don't give up or give in. You may also like to have a quiet word with the child after the lesson. Remember, some children talk too much because they just don't understand the work or it's too advanced, so be sure they know what to do. Also remember that some children love to stir up teachers, negative attention is as good as positive attention to some kids! Don't let the children see it upsetting you and try to remain positive.

Answer 7

WHOA!! Too young to be obeyed?!?!?! You are the teacher. Period. So what if there is a 10 year difference. You don't have to be feared, just respected.

Your responsibility is to teach, as you know. When a student gets in the way of that responsibility to the other students, have him/her leave the class. Be consistent. Ask other experienced teachers what things they've done over the years that work.

Good luck and have more confidence in your ability. You've only just begun.

Answer 8

Phone calls home help. I worked w/ horrible urban children. If there was a problem I stopped what I was doing, picked up the phone and started calling parents. The student sees you do it, most of the time the parents want to speak to the child. They give them a verbal enema. I know this looks like you are running to someone else to solve the problem, but if all kids see that you WILL call parents at the drop of a hat, SOME kids will keep in check. That leaves a few cut ups in the classroom. I have used daily behavior logs with some. But nothing shuts up a class like seeing one of their own in tears because mom just blasted them a new one.

Answer 9

One thing you need to consider: Does the administration follow through on discipline? If the answer is no, then chances are this is not all your fault. The students know that if the administration is overburdened or too lenient, they can get away with disruptive behavior without fear of consequences.

If the administration does follow through, then you need to pay attention to the many good suggestions already given here.

Answer 10

you have to be the "top dog" in the room of high school or middle school students. you can't "be their friend" you can't let them "walk all over you" and they will if they see you as "soft". you have to have strict rules and follow through on the consequences you set for breaking the rules. no exceptions. if they see you have a "weakness" or let one kid "get away" with something, they'll push to see what else they can "get away" with. older students are harder b/c they won't just walk in respecting you like little kids will. you have to earn their respect. sad but true.

find what motivates them. IF we get thru the content of today's lesson early, you can have the rest of the class period to talk to your friends. that may work.

telling them to be quiet isn't enough. why should they listen to you? it's not the lack of age difference, it's the lack of authority your show.

find a co-teacher in the same grade and ask what he/she uses as a behavior management system.

i teach elem. school so can't help you much there.