Paper airplanes fly across the room. Students race around the tables. You can’t get a word in, as they keep talking over you. Poor behaviour is never far away in an education setting but here are a few tips to help anyone who might need them. This list isn’t the one-size fits all solution but just a helping nudge.
1. Model ideal behavior
Make a habit of demonstrating behavior you want to see, as many studies show that modeling effectively teaches students how to act in different situations.
2. Let students help establish guidelines
Encourage all students to help you build classroom rules, as you’ll generate more buy-in than just telling them what they’re not allowed to do. You can even go as far as making them sign a ‘contract’ at the start of the year that they’ve helped create.
3. Encourage initiative
Promote a growth mindset, and inject variety into your lessons, by allowing students to work ahead and deliver short presentations to share take-away points.
4. Make sure you use praise
Praise students for jobs well done, as doing so improves academic and behavioral performance, according to a recent research review and study. When it is sincere and references specific examples of effort or accomplishment, praise can: – Inspire the class – Improve a student’s self-esteem – Reinforce rules and values you want to see.
5. Make positive letters and phone calls
Keep students happy in and out of class by pleasantly surprising their parents, making positive phone calls and sending complimentary letters home.
