The Peaceful Classroom

The Art of Curbing Challenging Behaviors.

Written by Katy Clements.

Whether or not we like to admit it, we have all been a student with unique quirks and behavior patterns. As we have grown and stepped into careers of our own, a lot of us have forgotten what it was like to be a student. I can recall having specific struggles as a young person, and I also recall the teachers that either handled my behavior gently or callously. As an educator, I tend to think back and empathize with my former self. I have compiled a small list of types of unique behaviors and the tools that I have learned throughout my career.

The Defiant Behavior
A defiant student is a student who typically will not follow instruction. Such a student typically demonstrates this behavior by becoming angry with the teacher, refusing to do work, or gossiping with other students during class. I have learned that usually this student is trying their best to receive attention. In the classroom, I have learned to praise students who ignore the negative behavior of others. Additionally, I will also refuse to respond to aggression, unless physical. Most of the time, the behavior will work itself out in time, once the student sees that they cannot challenge your position. Sometimes this can be intimidating, but stick to your guidelines and stay consistent in your behavior.

The Daydreaming Behavior
Because of recent events, everyone has become more stressed. Students are staying up late on their mobile devices, making them more prone to boredom and exhaustion. I have seen many learners become distracted, bored, or simply uninterested due to lack of proper stimulation. Though it may be exhausting to teach with bravado for long, we should remember our class may be the only engaging lesson of the day, whether it is online or in person. If teaching with gusto does not seem to be working, sometimes I find it useful to walk around the room. Typically, a student will straighten up as I walk by. Additionally, I will call on a student I see drifting away to see whether they can answer the question or not in an effort to pull them back into the discussion. Remember, try not to lose your patience with daydreamers. They too are under new stressors.

The Lazy Behavior
This is one of the most challenging behaviors. A student who is lazy could hold back a class and make your job more difficult. Firstly, you must not lose your patience. Laziness can sometimes be a form of defiance, so the student may be looking for attention. I have found a few tactics that help me manage, but overall if a student refuses to work, then you can only do so much. One tactic I use is to reward the students working hard, sometime if a lazy student sees that others are not following them, then they will behave. Another tactic is to not be afraid to use a firm tone. Yelling or shouting at the student could backfire, but using a calm, firm tone as you repeat instructions sometimes works. As a last resort, I have had to sit across from a student and help during class time. If none of this works and you feel like you have exhausted other options, let a co-teacher or principal know, that is, if your relationship is healthy. They could speak to the student or help the student. It is not our place to contact a parent, and this could embarrass your employer.

The Sensitive Behavior
Sensitivity is something that could be hard to notice. It can sometimes come across as shyness or defiance. Most sensitive students tend to daydream or be reserved. If I notice that I have a sensitive learner, I try not to call on this student too much to read aloud. I use a gentler tone when I speak to them, and I try to always let them see me act humorously. Sometimes, all they need is someone who can recognize and respect their sensitivity. They will usually sit against the wall and speak very lowly. Try not to embarrass them by calling them out because it could hurt their feelings. However, I will often try to work with them one-on-one if I find an opportunity.

The Distracted Behavior
From my perspective, distraction and daydreaming are not the same. If a student is distracted, they will often become busy with items or people around them. This can be mistaken as deviant behavior but it usually is not shown out of defiance. If a student is chatting with a neighbor, typically I will issue a warning that I will move them. If the warning is not taken seriously, I will take the next step and move the student to an empty desk. If the classroom does not have an empty desk, I will often ask students to switch places. Often, this decision is not warmly received, but stay steadfast.
One problem that I typically encounter is drawing or playing with a pencil case during class. Pencil cases usually are very decadent here. They have small games, whiteboards, hidden drawers, or contain a rainbow of pens or markers. Students can be tempted to play with the case or use its contents. I have had to ask that only one pencil and one eraser be out during class. If a student is advanced and is doodling while another student reads aloud, I will often let the behavior pass until it is the student’s turn.

These are the most profound behaviors that came to mind. Sometimes, having a mixture of these behaviors can be a challenge. If you have any further thoughts or questions, I challenge you to draw on your own experiences with past teachers. Try to be the teacher you needed as a young learner.

The Author
Katy Clements lives in Mokpo with her husband. In her free time, she enjoys writing and cooking. She has a degree in criminology and sociology. Katy has been a teacher for nine years. In the past, she taught behavior techniques to students.