I think many who have worked as teachers or substitute teachers have experienced slight chaos when it comes to telling about the students’ next task. No one listens, no one raises his hand. What should you say or do in such a situation? When I was new as a teacher, I tried to be quiet myself and “wait them out” but it can take any length of time, and that you get a headache from all the screaming. I also tried to say “quiet”, also tried to shout “quiet”, but quite often in vain.
The basis for getting students to listen is to have a positive climate in the classroom where you and your students know each other well. The learning itself should focus on developing students’ ability to think and you as the teacher must organize the work efficiently so that as much time as possible goes to learning. But what is most important is emotional support from the teacher towards the student. It is important to make students feel seen and confirmed.
Good quality as a teacher is that you show that you are open to change. Why not raise the issue with the students and ask them about your role in the noisy class. It is incredibly important that you are not prestigious and try as much as possible to avoid a power struggle between you and the student (s) who disrupt the work of the class.
How to quiet a class without yelling?
It is important to find some kind of strategy to deal with disruptive behavior, but this strategy can, and should not, be the same for all teachers. Keep in mind that teachers are also individuals with different needs, personalities, experiences, and knowledge.
However, one can find common features around a strategy. If you as a teacher avoid punishment and aggression as much as possible, there is a greater chance that the students do as you wish and you will thus have a calmer classroom environment.
If a student is talking out of turn, tell him what applies instead of asking. Tell him that now is not the time for a discussion, but we will take the discussion towards the end of the lesson.
The tough and noisy students need to feel that an adult cares about them. When you as a teacher have succeeded in establishing trust, you have a greater opportunity to reach the student and make him understand morality and the meaning of the word respect. Try to talk to them about how they see themselves and how they think they are perceived by their surroundings. Through such an approach, you can change a negative behavior both in the classroom and in life itself.
Try to establish this trust outside the classroom, in a context when the student is calm, e.g. during a break. Show interest in the student and ask how he feels, what he did yesterday, how his music is going, etc. It’s all about trust.
Here is a list of things you can do to get a calmer class:
- Ask for help! Contact school support or a responsive colleague you trust.
- Try to keep pace in the transitions between different activities.
- Reduce classroom mobility
- Increase student activity – make students more engaged
- Structure of the material
- Make planning and time concrete for the students
And one more tip is to think about the seating of the classroom. Is it a good enough seating plan to be able to offer a quiet environment? In a class where the climate is uneasy among the students, the U-position fits well. In this location, it is easy for the educator to keep in touch with all students and at the same time give the students who need extra attention this need is met.
You need to have order in the classroom, then you can start teaching
Skilled teachers who get students to perform above average often show a great interest in their teaching and their subject. It spreads to the students and they thus gain an understanding that you have a clear goal and interest in the students learning and development. Only because you as a teacher show that you WANT to teach can make the students feel secure and that you thus do not want to disrupt your teaching. In many situations, you do not have to be the perfect educator, but instead, show that you look forward to the next lesson and have an unbeatable interest in the subject you are teaching.
Teachers who lose control, raise their voices, or even shout at their students may instead escalate the small conflict that a student started.
Is it then not allowed to get angry and upset? Well, in some cases, but try to be unpretentious. If you are unpretentious and thus make the students feel that you are working towards the same goal, there is a much greater chance that they keep a good tone in the classroom.
Dealing with difficult students in the classroom
A student who knows what to do and is respected will also learn that conflicts can be resolved. Then there is also a feeling of security and calm that can not be achieved by just a reprimand. You as a teacher also have an obligation to employ the students in the class on their terms, and just employed students reduce the clutter in our classrooms. When you are busy being able to, then you do not have to invent other things and assert yourself in class.
The big goal is to resolve the conflict in the best possible way and you should talk openly and honestly about facts, feelings, and needs (both from your and the student’s point of view). We can call this a communication phase.
Based on what you learn about the student’s feelings and needs, you must together try to find a solution that balances. Here you need to consider the needs of the whole class.
What do you do when a student talks too much?
Sometimes you need to reprimand students and be clear about what is allowed and what is not. When someone breaks a set rule or is generally messy, it is important that you show with both voice and body language that you do not accept this behavior.
But remember to try to avoid scolding a student in public in front of other students, it is better to talk to the student individually.
The students themselves should not have to reprimand their classmates, but it is you as a teacher who has that task. A student should instead concentrate on their own studies and not have to focus on any person who is disruptive or doing something wrong.
You should help a noisy and disturbing student stay focused on going forward. Each lesson should contain elements that make the students want to know what happens next and thus create interest in everyone. If a student disturbs the class, I usually go down to the student, maybe put a hand on his shoulder while I talk, do not tell them directly, just be close so that they notice that you see them. Also, say the student’s name when you tell him, it’s not enough to say “be quiet!”.
Consequences for talkative students
If a student, despite previous actions, continues to interfere, you can kindly but firmly ask him or her to leave the classroom. At this point, it is a good idea to pause class until the student exits the room. After the lesson, it is very important to address what happened to that person. Then the student gets an opportunity to explain themselves in dignified ways. It is important that the student feel liked.
