What did you observe?
I know. It is really scary that current technology allows students to video and display classroom events on the Internet for all to see. Really scary. There is a litany of things we could discuss from those horrific scenes, but let’s focus on the classroom management aspect of it.
In any of those videos, was learning the focus of the argument? Was the teacher taken seriously? Did the teacher, though seemingly steeped in years in the profession, have the classroom under control? Who “won” the argument? Who always seemed to have the last word?
On one hand, the students are disrespectful, rude, and out of control. On the other hand, in some cases, the teacher not only perpetuated the arguing, but also instigated it. Adolescents will test, defy, and disrespect any teacher. It is part of their development. (And no matter how much we would like to think "we were never that way," we all went through it. It's just that now there is YouTube. And lawsuits.) Nonetheless, a teacher can command respect and maintain classroom discipline without assuming the character of an eighteenth century naval captain.
How to thwart arguing (and ultimately avoid becoming a spectacle on YouTube):
1. If a student is disruptive, send him or her out of class and continue your instruction. To avoid arguing even further in this instance, use a calm voice, and repeat yourself by saying something like, “Student, I’d like you take your things to the office until the end of class, please,” until he stops saying things such as “Why?” Or “I wasn’t the only one talking.” Or “This is stupid.”
2. Confront the student about his or her behavior privately. This will eliminate his opportunity to win laughs from the students by continuing the argument. AND, he is less likely to argue with you without witnesses.
3. Remain calm. Talk in a calm tone. Yelling and getting fired up is entertaining to students. They will want to see more. And put it on YouTube.
4. Avoid sarcasm, putting the students down, and bantering. This just eggs them on and erases student-teacher boundaries. AND, gives them an opportunity to get you to deviate from instruction.
5. Avoid arguing about current events, or issues about politics, religion, etc… Teachers are meant to present material and teach free thinking. Give them resources to form opinions for themselves. That way they will have informed opinions without your influence.
6. Eliminate the opportunity for the student to advance the argument or to have the last word by replying with empathetic phrases.
For example:
Student: “I wasn’t late.”
Teacher: “I’m sorry. School rules state that coming in after the bell indicates that you are late. Unfortunately I’m going to have to give you detention.”
Student: “This is stupid!”
Teacher: “I know it feels that way.”
Student: “That’s really unfair!”
Teacher: “I know. I’m sorry.”
7. Use hand motions and non-verbal communication. For example, instead of asking a student to be quiet, make eye contact and put your finger to your lips. Instead of asking a student to get to work, point to his desk to indicate that his attention should be there. Sometimes saying nothing and looking students dead in the eyes is enough to make them apologize. Staring contests are very effective.
8. If a student is being disrespectful, tell him or her about it. Again, using a calm voice and doing it without an audience is always key. (Sometimes an audience can be effective. Pick your battles wisely.) Let him or her know that you don’t appreciate his behavior. For example: "Talking back to me like this is very rude, and I don’t appreciate it at all." Or “When you disrupt the class I feel very disrespected. I’m guessing that you would be okay with a referral or a phone call home to your parents about your behavior?” Or“When you don’t turn in your homework, I feel worried that your grade is going to suffer. I’m guessing you are okay with taking a zero?”
9. Ask questions and use “show me” statements instead of commands: Instead of “I have told you repeatedly that you need to come in quietly, get seated, and work on your journal.” Say, “What should you be doing when you enter the room?” or “Who wants to show me what I expect you to do when you come to class?”
10. Effective lesson planning and organization is paramount. Make sure kids know your expectations, and hold them responsible. For example, a student can’t argue with you that he didn’t know that there was homework when you posted it in your classroom as well as on your website or blog. However, avoid holding them responsible for things you didn’t tell them or assumed they should have known. Also, keep your lessons focused. Do not allow students an opportunity to goof off with idle time. Keep them interacting with you and engaged in the lesson. Avoid allowing them to deviate from the lesson.
