The Problem
I don't care how spectacular a teacher you are. Every teacher has encountered discipline problems. Tommy won't stop pulling Susie's hair. Elizabeth and her clan keep chatting in the back of the room. Crystal just called you out of your name. And oh my goodness is that Henry and Thomas playing with matches in the corner?
Okay, so some situations are more extreme than others. But no matter how big or how small the disruptions, the bottom line is, resolving disruptions costs valuable time. So how do you cut down on the interruptions? I have two words for you - body language.
Think about it. Have you ever had a teacher who just looked like they were prepared for a defeat in the classroom? Their posture was poor, maybe they kept their hands in their pockets or hidden behind their back. Perhaps they didn't stand up often enough or they always stood at quite a bit of distance from the students. Kids pick up on this in practically no time. The key is to look like you mean business.
The Method
"Example, please," you ask? Certainly. Let's take Elizabeth and her chit-chat club in the back of the classroom. Now let's assume that you've already tried moving seats around, but where ever Elizabeth is moved, she starts a new club. Don't even say anything to them. Just stop what you're doing and stand erect. Look like you mean business. Cross your arms and just stare at them. Slowly begin to walk toward them while keeping your arms crossed. In college my professor called this the "I am not amused" stance. At this point all eyes are going to be on you and on them.
Now, you decide when you've gotten close enough to them. Stay calm. Stop and stare. At this point, they will probably stop talking and look at you. Then you very calmly, yet authoritatively say "Stop." Don't name the offense. In other words, don't say, "Stop talking." Once you do that they will be inclined to deny the accusation. If after you say "stop," they talk back to you, don't say anything. Just stay calm, upright, and silent. Let them go on and on. Eventually, they will run out of steam. Or they might say something that will land them in the principal's office.
Commanding vs. Demanding
What if it's not just one small group of kids talking? What if you're trying to get the entire class's attention and they just keep talking? Use the same method. Stop. Stand straight. Cross your arms. Slowly begin walking toward the class and say," stop talking." Be completely present and stay calm. Stand still for a moment and wait. Don't resist the talking, don't argue or plead with the talking. Just stand with authority. It might take as long as a few minutes. But eventually, the room will become completely quiet, and everyone's attention will be on you. Then in a calm voice simply say, "Thank you," and continue with your instruction.
They key to classroom management is commanding rather than demanding the student's attention. The way that you walk, stand and move around the classroom speaks volumes more than anything that you say in the classroom. As you may well know, the students are not always listening to you, but they are always watching you. That is a great advantage because that means that you really don't have to say much. Let your body do all the talking. Look confident and be confident.
