Disruptive Student(s)

Disruptive Student

A few days ago, I was asked by another teacher, "what to do when a student is disruptive and your teaching a lesson?"

There are times when a student interrupts the lesson, so how should you respond? You have several options on how to handle the situation:

Option 1

·   Pause

·   Ask the student what's the matter ( Use a caring tone)

·   If you can solve the issue quickly, then do so and continue on with the lesson.

Option 2

• Pause
• Ask the student to sit in his/her own seat
• Tell him/her that you will come and talk with them in a few minutes
• Resume the lesson.
• Upon completion of the lesson, speak with the child about what was wrong. Tell him/her why the behavior was inappropriate and tell him/her what type of behavior is expected of them.

Option 3

• Stop the lesson
• Briefly speak to the child, saying- You can not behave this way in our classroom. I’m sending you next door for a timeout. When you are ready to sit quietly you may return. (Use a caring tone)
• Have a trusted student walk the child to another teachers’ room for a timeout (Please speak with another teacher to make sure this is okay with him/her)
• Resume the lesson
• Upon completion of the lesson have a student get the disruptive child from the other classroom. Speak with the child about why the behavior was inappropriate and tell him/her what type of behavior is expected of them.

Option 4: Use only when the student’s behavior is out of control or extreme (i.e. may harm himself/herself, other students, or you) OR you will not be able to finish the lesson with the student in the room.

• Stop the lesson
• Briefly speak to the child, saying- You can not behave this way in our classroom. I’m sending you to the office to talk to the principal. (Use a caring tone)
• Have a trusted student walk the child to school office to speak with the principal
• Resume the lesson
• When the child returns to class, speak with him/her about why the behavior was inappropriate and tell him/her what type of behavior is expected of them.