Difficult Students, Difficult Classrooms

All battles are won before they are fought. --Sun Tzu

Questions What do I do when more than 40% of the students are difficult? How can learning take place with so many difficult students? What do I do with a student who habitually breaks relationships with adults? What do I do when the computer freezes, the hard drive crashes, and the software doesn’t do what it is supposed to?

Direct-Teach processes and Procedures Have students practice the processes and procedures. –95% of discipline problems in classrooms occur the first five and last five minutes of a class. –Provision: desks, books, papers, assignments, and materials ready when bell rings –Classroom has a positive climate; work- oriented –Teacher has positive attitude and expectations that all students will succeed.

Build Relationships Ninety percent of discipline problems come from 5% of the students. Humor (not sarcasm) is one of the best tools for developing mutual respect Have a sense of humor (even about yourself) If you show fear you won’t be respected

Structure Tightly structure tasks by time and procedure. Give steps (in writing) necessary to complete task, possibly noting time frames Let them work together Could like person they are working with and actually learn

Choice/Consequence Express regret that a poor choice was made Quickly and matter-of-factly establish a natural consequence for student’s misstep A consequence is reasonable when the student sees it is reasonable and in the student’s best interest Diffuse situation and then problem solve with student later

Contract System One day a week independent work List of necessary tasks to complete Had to choose enough to equal 100 points Could ‘assist’ students in choosing activities Use as anchor activity

Climate Strategies Gradually assign responsibilities Display personal interest daily Drop all grudges Limit negative talk Open parent conferences with a positive statement Listen to the student Value student, despite inappropriate action

Academic Strategies Keep the class moving Appropriate High Expectations

Disciplinary Strategies Bargaining is not an option Criticize the action, not the student Have a “buddy” teacher Make the “death penalty” the last option Never intervene physically with a student Provide student with choices Reward for accomplishments, not promises Saving face is everything

Nancy is working and her teacher begins to pass out papers to other students. She gets agitated for no apparent reason and exclaims, “This class is so stupid!!!” A teacher asks a child to stop running in the hall. The student responds, “You can make me, fatso!”

Bill raises his hand to answer a question in class. His teacher calls on another student. Bill slams his hand down on his desk and yells, “I’m done raising my hand, you never call on me.” Ann continually blurts out answers without raising her hand

George regularly leaves his seat to visit other during work time. Lafanso refuses to work in a cooperative group. Horace makes faces at other students to annoy them during class discussion.

References The Educators Guide to Preventing and Solving Discipline Problems Understanding Learning The First Days of School Classroom Discipline Problem Solver Power Struggles