Plan for misbehaviour. Look at your classroom seating. Should it be changed? – Arrange desks so that you can walk around the room - have easy access to all students.
Take control. Try to ensure mobility around the room, give bits of your lesson from where they sit, also from the back - not obviously (over-control), - move around a bit. Or from time to time just move around the classroom and just stand near your students.
Catch them doing it right - discipline from the positive not the negative. Take away their need to act out in class. Acknowledge something they’re doing well e.g. “I see you’ve go that maths problem right – Great!”. Be smart - Give them no cause to disrupt your lesson, rather to come back on task because they feel okay about you.
Least intrusion into the lesson. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Remember they’re not doing it to get at you – they’re just doing it because they feel like it. (Although if you go over the top in your response – they’ll continue as its fun to get such heavy reactions to something minimal).
Use non verbal messages – firm eye contact at times, raised eyebrow, gesture, :- so they know that you know what they’re up to. Send a non-verbal message of disapproval but also one of no fuss.
Don’t get hooked-in - unconsciously they’re either seeking attention, checking out if they can take control here, – would love a power struggle, maybe they want to impress their peers – all unconscious goals of misbehaviour, – gives them a sense of belonging. – I’m the cheeky one, the naughty one and any such response to these will reinforce the goals of misbehaviour. Just refuse to play their game. You’re the teacher. All kids push the limits. Acknowledge this and refuse to get hooked-in. You have no intention of getting hooked-in to such behaviour but keep your response low key.
Managing attitude. If some concern on your part, take one aside, preferably the leader and send a clear “I” message e.g. “When people mess around in class, I am concerned. No attention = low marks. I don’t want that to happen to you. OK!
NOTE: As you’ve been heavily reacting to their behaviour – and you’re going to change your response – you may find they’ll push you – just to check if you’re for real. Stay cool. You are the teacher here. Keep focusing on catching them when they do “it” (anything), right. They just need a gentle reminder and divert by catching them doing it right. No fuss and they’ll settle down.
