Teaching students who present with challenging behaviours

1
Teaching students who present with challenging
behaviours

• BSc 2

2
Exceptional reassuring statements

• Your classes will be fine.
• If so why the need to say so.
• Sets you up to feel inadequate if you have
  problems.
• May ensure that you dont ask for help.
• The main trouble makers have been withdrawn.
• There are some trouble makers in the class and 2
  are excluded. Again inadequacy may be
  experienced.
• Someone is always on duty to receive disruptors.
• But not this morning
• We are an inclusive school.
• We have a special needs policy.

3

• Assertive discipline doesnt work here.
• Thats because it requires a whole school
  approach and we dont work together as a team.
• Ive tried that (behaviour management approach)
• Why exactly didnt it work.
• We wont fail you because you are useless at
  classroom management.
• Get this in writing!
• We wont fail you because your class is
  disrupted.Thats because my classes are
  disrupted.
• Ill just be around the corner.
• Except most of the time.
• He may seem obnoxious at first but underneath it
  hes OK. Do not leave your money, phone or car
  keys about.

4
The risk of disruption is reduced

• by having the top group
• When all materials and resources including ICT
  equipment are available
• When the classroom is a nice place to be
• If environment is conducive to learning with
  adequate light, cool temperature, smart
  furnishing and seats are comfortable
• ICT equipment is up to date and working
• By knowing precisely what is expected of you.
• By building a rapport with teacher and kids.

5
You can reduce the risk of disruption

• Calm them before you start. Ask the previous
  teacher to calm down the group before they get to
  you. Get them to line up smartly.
• Observe the group at their best and worst.
• Do something different to the worst teacher.
• The group need to associate you with a std.
• Make sure the classroom is at least clean and
  tidy and that walkways are clear.
• Refer to previous work. If nothing is on the wall
  project onto whiteboard scanned pupils work.
  Choose kids tactfully ie those who influence.
• Try a touch of clary-sage on back of hot
  radiator.

6
Preparation

• Ensure youve planned carefully and know order.
  Use Notes to mentor to convey
• Before the group arrive feel at ease in the
  room.
• Dress the part but feel comfortable.
• As any actor monitor breathing before act.
• Voice check. Natural timbre important, develop.
• Should not have to repeat self because unclear.
  
• Do not show tension. Act confidently.
• Set aim to get on task and to keep momentum. Be
  consistent.
• Plan also for LSA. Make a contingency plan.

7
The lesson

• Be prepared to be flexible with
  Intro-Task-Plenary structure (Whole-Group-Whole).
  
• Pre-empt difficult times and get full attention.
• Thank pupils for doing what you ask using their
  name.
• If need to touch, touch with outer hand.
• Do not over-praise.
• Immediately home-in on anything threatening. Get
  close proximity rather than shout.
• Ensure your board work has some style. Use
  colours to direct pupils (see motivation DVD).
• Do not stand in one place.
• Tune in to the whole experience. Glass is half
  full.

8
Home truths

• What did you say John I didnt quite hear?
• Be seen always to be fair and just. Use words to
  support this so everyone is witness.
• Describe any unruly behaviour as you see it Is
  this right John? This is how I have to report
  this? Am I right?
• What right have you to deny X an education?
• How cool is it for a 14 yr old to have a reading
  age of 7?
• If Y is distracting, use a distraction yourself
  (as a mum of a toddler would at the checkout, eg.
  swear in German, MM bangs head on wall and
  cries).

9
Useful Fillers

• Getting to know the class. The person sat next
  me is Name, Likes activity, TV, person, sport,
  music Closest person.
• Call my bluff subject vocabulary
• First aid in English. Fast. Instant reward.
• Story tell. Metaphors.
• Hangman round the class, using subject
  vocabulary
• Subject Bingo
• Did you see that girl on X Factor last night? Who
  does she think she is? Football.