Simple Ways to Refocus and Redirect Student Behavior

During the first semester of CDP, our cohort, mentor teachers, and coaches met every Monday night.  At these sessions, our mentor teachers and coaches gave us awesome ideas on everything from classroom management to incorporating art into the curriculum.  Unfortunately, most of these ideas were quickly filed away into my resource file.  So, with the hope that I will refer to these ideas more often if they're online, I’m going to begin posting some of these ideas, which were all given to us by experienced, creative teachers working in the Albuquerque Public Schools.  

Focusing and Redirecting Behavior Without Breaking the Flow of a Lesson

Through careful observation of students, teachers can identify when students need help refocusing and redirecting behavior.  The following is good advice on how to refocus and redirect behavior without breaking the flow of a lesson.  Although some of the following advice seems like common sense, it's amazing how during the middle of a lesson, even in my small-group lessons, I become frustrated with a student and blurt something out that later, I wish I hadn't said.  Classroom dynamics can feel so complicated when things aren't going according to plan!  So, take a look through this list of seemingly simple answers, because in the words of Dr. Seuss, "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."  

 The First Step is Prevention

Give clear expectations for…

• When students can talk
• Who students can talk to
• When students can provide group answers
• When students should raise their hands
• When students can ask questions

 Maximize the Use of Nonverbal Cues

• Make eye contact
• Show proper body posture
• Increase your proximity to the student
• Use hand signals (mimic the opening of a book with your hands, give thumbs up, put finger over mouth for students to be quiet, etc.)
• Using facial expressions (shaking head in place of saying “no,” smiling and nodding head in place of saying “good job,” etc.)

 When is it Best to Use Nonverbal Cues?

• Daydreaming
• Playing with supplies or hands are in their desk
• Talking to another student
• Distracting others
• Off-task

 When Do I Need To Use Alternative Interventions?

• Bullying
• Physical fighting
• Arguing
• Destruction of school property
• Stealing
• Endangering others

 What Kinds of Interventions Should I Use For These Situations?

• Pull student(s) aside, as not to give negative attention in front of others.
• Speak in an even tone (do not escalate or raise your voice, this is when students may become defensive).
• Be positive, state the behavior you want, not the behavior you don’t want.  Instead of saying, “Don’t get out of your seat,” say, “please remain seated.”  Instead of saying, “Don’t chew gum in class,” say, “Leave your gum at home.”

 Remember to use praise when you see students behave.  Even a simple “thumbs up” or a smile goes a long way in a classroom.