Strategies for Managing Misbehavior

Misbehavior often occurs not because a student is bad but because of

other factors in the child’s life or environment. It is important to get to
the bottom of the misbehavior and teach, reteach if necessary, strategies
that will help the child make better decisions in the future. Teachers also
need to learn strategies that will work towards preventing misbehavior.
Listed below are strategies to help maintain a positive classroom
environment. A resource I used to compile this list is from the Center for
the Advancement of Mental Health Practices in Schools.

Establish realistic and age appropriate rules and procedures

Do this early and often and maintain consistency. Incorporate student

opinions and thoughts into classroom rules and procedures. To ensure
true understanding of rules and procedures they must be taught like any
other lesson, by tapping into prior knowledge of rules and providing
plenty of practice.

Establish routines for transitions

When transitions run smoothly there is no time for misbehavior. When

students know what to expect they are less anxious and more open to
receive information.

Teach self-discipline and responsibly

This can be done by giving students jobs that will save you time.

Be prepared and have a back-up

I do not believe you need to plan your day out to the second but you do
need to have a good time management practice. If you know what your
doing then so do you students, like wise if you are not prepared you
students will not be prepared.

Keep your reaction neutral and determine if the problem is

“teacher-owned”

does the behavior simply annoy you or is it harmful to other students?

Remember to stay respectful

When correcting misbehavior, communicate in the most private,

respectful and positive manner.

Make all discipline decisions after the “heat of the moment”

Once things have settled down you are able to think a bit more rationally
about the situation and determine the gravity of the misbehavior and
what steps to take next.

Lynnea Summerscales Eastern University EDU 382