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Hey there this is Betsy from Classroom Caboodle. Today I’m gonna talk about student defiance.
Alright, so today I’m gonna talk about student defiance.
And I can say this is, y’know I really want new teachers in particular
to find a little sense of relief by what I say today.
We all as teachers come across those students who hit moments of defiance
where they refuse to do what you ask them to do.
It can be something as simple as finishing a paper
and that’s not really what I’m talking about.
What I’m talking about is those pretty tough situations
when a student refuses to do something you’ve asked of them
and this is when you have a student who may have some behavior issues.
I have many little people come to mind
over my 10 years of teaching I’ve had some pretty challenging students.
But, here’s what you do.
Y’know for example I had this little guy, he had so many things going on at home,
but he had some real behavior issues.
For example, he would get really upset and just kind of spin out and then refuse to move,
refuse to leave the classroom, refuse to do anything.
So, here’s what you do.
First of all, you know the student’s listening even though they may not look like it.
You need to clearly and unemotionally re-state the expectations you have for that student,
for example this one little guy one time had spun out
and refused to leave the classroom even after the rest of the students had left to go to lunch.
So I just said to him
“Eric, my expectations are that you stand up and push in your chair and head to lunch."
"Now, I’ll give you a choice” (because you always want to present the student with a couple of choices)
“you can either go on your own, because I know you’re able to handle that, or I can walk with you.”
So, I’ve re-stated the expectations and given the students some choices
And then you give them the consequences.
and say “If you don’t make one of those two choices here are the choices I’m gonna have to make for you.”
And you should probably have these set up in advance
especially for these kids with chronic behavior issues.
“So, we can call your dad and he can come help you walk to lunch
or we can call the building Principal who can help you walk to lunch.
So, which of these choices would you like to take?”
And then you give that child time to kind of center themselves
and make that choice. And if you do have to call the parent or the Principal
or whatever other plan that you have set up you make that happen.
But again, you are always doing this in a non-threatening manner,
very matter-of-fact tone of voice
and you are never ever using physical dominance to get a child to do what you want them to do.
Really, this is just y’know, life in a classroom
and you handle it calmly and you never get emotionally wrapped up in it.
You might be in the back of your head emotionally wrapped up in it,
like I was with this little guy ‘cos I knew everything that was going on at home,
but you have to separate the two.
The home is much different than the classroom and you want everything to be calm
and with no surprises for that kiddo.
So, that’s what I do in cases of extreme defiance,
again it’s re-set expectations, give choices
and then give the students consequences if they don’t make those choices.
And if you do it the same way every time y’know they’re gonna make those choices a lot faster.
Again, you should also make sure you’re talking to the Counselor, the Principal
or other behavior support in your building so they can help too with a student with chronic behavior issues.
Anyway, that’s what I do in cases of student defiance.
If you have questions or comments by all means contact me.