Classroom Management 6: The Power of the Look

Teachers’ dirty looks are notorious. Kids sing songs about them as they toss their notebooks into the air and race away from school property in droves. Teachers’ looks are dirty. And effective.

The key is to use direct eye contact, and maintain a stoic, expressionless composure.

Sally handed me a forged document. I knew it was forged immediately. I crouched down next to her desk, looked her directly in the eyes, and in a low, calm tone asked if this really was her mom’s signature. “No,” she fessed up shamefacedly.

Not only can a look from across the room be a quietly effective way to keep Johnny from distracting Joe and trying to make him laugh while everyone is peacefully working, but it can also be an effective way to manage a classroom and subtly gain respect.

Tips for using "The Look" to manage a class

• Look a student dead in the eye while speaking to him about something serious, or while he or she is misbehaving. Sometimes, you don’t even need to say anything at all. That look may be just enough.

• When a class is not paying attention or there is a bit of ruckus afoot, stop, stand in front of the room, and make eye contact with students. Gaze over the crowd and say nothing. They usually stop or hush each other. Works like magic.

• When a student says something that could potentially create an argument or disrupt class or is just downright silly, look him or her in the eyes. Be expressionless. The behavior always stops, and sometimes they may even apologize.

• When a student says, “what?” or “I wasn’t doing anything” when he or she meets your gaze, simply reply with a question such as, “Do you have a question about something?” or “What are you working on?” Or reply with a statement such as “I didn’t say you were doing anything. Are you feeling guilty about something?”