Classroom Management Strategies To Take Control Of Noisy Students

Summary

In this video, the speaker offers a highly effective but often overlooked strategy for taking control of noisy, disruptive student groups at the start of lessons. The approach focuses on managing behavior outside the classroom, specifically at the door, by using non-confrontational statements and informal chit-chat to establish rapport with students. This technique helps set a positive tone and reinforces desirable behavior, which makes it easier to transition students into a focused, cooperative state. The video emphasizes the importance of building relationships and earning respect before even entering the classroom.

Takeaways

• 😀 Teachers can take control of difficult student groups right from the start of a lesson by managing behavior before they enter the classroom.
• 😀 Yelling or shouting at students often leads to a loss of credibility and worsens classroom management.
• 😀 Teachers should aim to set a positive tone outside the classroom, reinforcing good behaviors before students enter the room.
• 😀 Non-confrontational statements, such as acknowledging good behavior, can be more effective than pointing out bad behavior.
• 😀 Engaging in informal chit-chat with students outside the classroom can build respect and rapport.
• 😀 Teachers should interact with small groups or individual students to address behavior rather than attempting to manage the entire group at once.
• 😀 Understanding student culture, including the films, TV programs, and humor they enjoy, helps teachers connect and gain respect.
• 😀 Managing behavior starts outside the classroom—teachers need to position themselves as authoritative leaders before students enter.
• 😀 Students are more likely to listen and follow instructions when they enter the classroom under the teacher's control and expectations.
• 😀 Gradually moving students into a calm, ready-to-learn state before entering the classroom improves their responsiveness to instructions.

Q & A

What is the main challenge the teacher addresses in the video?

The teacher addresses the difficulty of managing noisy and disruptive groups of students who take a long time to settle down at the start of lessons.

Why does the teacher emphasize the importance of managing behavior before students enter the classroom?

The teacher highlights that if students enter the classroom out of control, there is an imbalance of power, making it difficult to manage their behavior once inside. Taking control at the door helps establish authority and set a positive tone.

What were the teacher's initial ineffective strategies for classroom management?

The teacher's initial strategies included shouting at the students when they didn't follow instructions and sending students out of the class when things became overwhelming.

Why is shouting at students considered ineffective for classroom management?

Shouting at students can reduce respect for the teacher, and students may ignore the teacher entirely. It also undermines the teacher's credibility and authority.

How does the teacher recommend approaching classroom management at the door?

The teacher suggests using non-confrontational statements and informal chit-chat to gradually settle the students down before they enter the classroom. This helps set a positive tone and establish authority.

What is the difference between confrontational and non-confrontational statements?

Confrontational statements focus on blaming or accusing students for bad behavior, while non-confrontational statements reinforce positive behaviors, such as thanking students for being on time or settling down.

How can informal chit-chat contribute to better classroom management?

Informal chit-chat helps build rapport and trust with students. Teachers who engage in casual conversations with students are often seen as more approachable, which can lead to better cooperation in the classroom.

Why is it important for teachers to understand 'kid culture'?

Understanding 'kid culture' allows teachers to connect with students on a deeper level, making them more relatable and earning students' respect. This can make students more likely to listen and follow instructions.

What should teachers focus on when giving instructions to noisy groups of students?

Teachers should focus on reinforcing positive behaviors, ensuring that students enter the classroom under the teacher's control, and gradually moving them into a more manageable frame of mind.

How does the teacher suggest dealing with students who don't settle down right away?

The teacher plans to address this in a follow-up video, but mentions that it involves dealing with students who do not follow instructions immediately in a calm and controlled manner, with minimal conflict.