Discipline is one of the most challenging aspects of teaching. If you are teaching older students, however, you have an option that puts the responsibility right back on the kids. You’ll need to clear this technique with your principal or dean, but it worked for me both in SoCal and in NYC.
First, invite the student in question out to the hallway or somewhere equally private. Keep a smile on your face or at least strive to look neutral.
Once you have your miscreant alone ask her or him, “do you know why I asked you out here?” Nine times out of ten they’ll say no. Cheerfully respond,”okay. Keep thinking about it. I’ll be right back.”
Go back to your room and check on the other students. Don’t look like a storm cloud.
After a few minutes, pop back out and see if your whippersnapper has an answer for you yet. Rare are the times it took more than three rounds– though I did have one student who was more stubborn than a jackass (and I mean that in the nicest way. I love hooved animals) and it took nearly an entire period to get the kid to say, “yeah, I guess I shouldn’t have talked back to you.”
This is the payoff.
You get to be magnanimous. Give the kid a “great. Thank you,” with a big smile, then check for trouble. “Is something going on? You haven’t had this problem before?” You learn a lot about a kid from opening that one gate. We all have bad days. More than once kids thanked me for taking the time to take them outside and check in.
And rarely did I ever have to do this twice with even the most intransigent student. Instead I got the rep of being tough but fair. And the kids got a taste of the respect they craved. Win win. Low stress. Non confrontational.
Try it and post the results here.
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Ummmm I looooooooove this more than I can say. One of my best teacher-teachers, Heather Penny, used this to great effect in Watts. I think the only thing one must be careful of is that depending on the student and the school environment, some of them are going to take the opportunity to just bail. What would you do in that situation? I’m only concerned about leaving kids in the hallway because of the potential for truancy.
Hey Tikka! Sorry so long to reply. I always cleared this with my principal at a new school. I actually never had anyone bail. Mostly, I think, bc they were baffled by my tone–very matter of fact, rather than ticked.