May 2002

“Be prepared” is the best advice I can give an educator who is struggling on a daily basis with chronic misbehavior.  By this time in the school year, you have probably disciplined the same students over and over for the same unacceptable behavior, all to no avail.  A great deal of personal energy is spent in these daily struggles.  It makes you tired!  To stop the struggle, and help the student change their behavior, take some time to think about exactly how you will respond to the behavior the next time it occurs. 

The key word is “respond.”  Up to now the chances are good that you have been in a reaction mode while trying to deal with the behavior in the moment it is occurring.   Plan to do something different than you have been doing.  Don’t be afraid to be creative in your response.    Remember the goal is to get the student to change their behavior and punishment isn’t working.  Try something else.

Once you have decided exactly what you will do when the child acts out, then speak to the student about your plan.  Tell him or her that you have thought a lot about what’s been happening in the classroom and you have decided that the next time they do whatever it is that they are doing you will simply use a hand signal to direct them to the time out area in your room or something like that (see example below).  Then tell them exactly what you want them to do when they feel like doing what they have been doing.   This gives them a strategy for keeping themselves out of trouble. Finally express your confidence that they will be able to do what you are suggesting.  Just in case it doesn’t work out that way, be sure to do exactly what you said you will do and refrain from lecturing or yelling getting upset.  Follow your plan.   Whether or not the child is able to respond with appropriate action, you will save a great deal of personal energy by being prepared.  You will also feel more effective and less at the mercy of a chaotic moment.

Example:

You know how you have been getting in trouble for interrupting all the time while I’m trying to talk or teach a lesson.  Well, today when you feel like interrupting I want you to write me a note instead.  I will come over and read your notes as soon as I am finished giving instructions.  It will be hard to make yourself do this but I think you can.  Just in case you can’t make yourself wait to talk to me about your note and you do interrupt, you need to know I will give you a hand signal to remind you to write but I won't stop to talk to you or let you talk to me.  This way we have a plan.  I think you'll like it better if you and I discuss your questions and comments privately.