Last updated on Mar 10, 2024

What do you do if students' behavior in the classroom needs improvement?

Managing students' behavior in the classroom can be a challenging and rewarding aspect of teaching. How you handle disruptive, disrespectful, or disengaged students can affect their learning, motivation, and self-esteem, as well as the classroom climate and culture. In this article, you will learn some strategies to improve students' behavior in the classroom and foster a positive and productive learning environment.

1 Set clear expectations

One of the first steps to improve students' behavior in the classroom is to set clear and consistent expectations for how they should behave, communicate, and participate. You can do this by establishing and explaining the classroom rules, routines, and procedures at the beginning of the year and reviewing them regularly. You can also involve the students in creating and agreeing on the expectations, as well as the consequences for not following them. This way, you can increase their sense of ownership, responsibility, and accountability.

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Renée Padmore

Faith + Genius: The path to greater clarity and confidence in content creation for faith-driven women coaches and consultants.
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It's important to establish rules and expected behaviours from the very beginning. And keep reinforcing them. I used to put up classroom rules on the walls and read them with the kids every week for the first few weeks. We'd discuss them and I'd get the kids to tell me what could happen if each rule wasn't in place. E.g. Walk in the classroom. They'd say .. You might fall if you run and poke out an eye on the corner of a desk 😄. So descriptive. Having them determine negative outcomes without rules being enforced helped them to understand the importance of staying safe and being responsible by taking part in keeping peace.

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2 Provide positive feedback

Another strategy to improve students' behavior in the classroom is to provide positive feedback and recognition for their efforts, achievements, and improvements. You can do this by using praise, rewards, incentives, or privileges to acknowledge and reinforce their desirable behavior, such as following the rules, completing the tasks, helping others, or showing initiative. You can also use descriptive feedback to highlight their strengths, progress, and areas for improvement. This way, you can boost their confidence, motivation, and engagement.

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Renée Padmore

Faith + Genius: The path to greater clarity and confidence in content creation for faith-driven women coaches and consultants.
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I'd usually reward the kids for following the rules. Especially the kids who have a difficult time obeying. They'd get little treats, verbal praise or extra time on the playground when everyone else is inside.

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3 Address negative behavior

A third strategy to improve students' behavior in the classroom is to address negative behavior promptly, calmly, and respectfully. You can do this by using verbal or non-verbal cues, reminders, warnings, or redirections to signal your disapproval and correct their behavior, such as talking out of turn, distracting others, or ignoring instructions. You can also use logical consequences, such as loss of privileges, time out, or detention, to hold them accountable and help them learn from their mistakes. You should also communicate with the parents or guardians of the students who exhibit persistent or serious behavior problems and seek their support and cooperation.

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Renée Padmore

Faith + Genius: The path to greater clarity and confidence in content creation for faith-driven women coaches and consultants.
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Negative behaviours should be addressed promptly. And you should make sure that kids understand which rule was broken and why they were being chastised or punished. Sometimes we'd discuss the situation as a class and the other kids would weigh in on what happened. It was good for them to recognise unacceptable behaviours and identify the correct ones. It served as a reminder for the entire class.

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4 Build relationships

A fourth strategy to improve students' behavior in the classroom is to build positive and trusting relationships with your students. You can do this by showing interest, respect, and empathy for their needs, preferences, and backgrounds. You can also use humor, stories, or games to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere. You can also encourage and facilitate peer interaction and collaboration to foster a sense of community and belonging. This way, you can enhance their social and emotional skills, as well as their academic performance.

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5 Teach behavior skills

A fifth strategy to improve students' behavior in the classroom is to teach behavior skills explicitly and explicitly. You can do this by modeling and demonstrating the expected behavior, such as listening, speaking, working, or cooperating. You can also use role plays, scenarios, or examples to illustrate and practice the appropriate behavior in different situations. You can also use feedback, reflection, or self-assessment to help them monitor and evaluate their behavior and set goals for improvement. This way, you can help them develop their self-regulation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

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6 Seek professional help

A sixth strategy to improve students' behavior in the classroom is to seek professional help when necessary. You can do this by consulting and collaborating with your colleagues, mentors, or administrators to share your challenges, experiences, and strategies. You can also access and use the available resources, such as books, websites, or workshops, to learn more about behavior management and intervention. You can also refer and involve the school counselor, psychologist, or social worker to provide additional support and guidance for the students who have special needs, difficulties, or disorders that affect their behavior. This way, you can enhance your knowledge, skills, and confidence as a teacher and as a learner.

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Karoline N.

🔹 Postgraduate Degree in Public Administration 🔹Postgraduate Degree in English Language Teaching Methodology 🔹
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Establish clear expectations and consequences from day one. Model desired behaviors consistently. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good conduct. Address disruptions promptly with neutral, solution-focused language. Involve students in creating classroom norms for buy-in. Vary teaching methods to sustain engagement. Build relationships and identify root causes. Document incidents objectively. Collaborate with colleagues, administrators, and parents for support. Persistent issues may require behavior intervention plans. Remain patient, fair, and focus on creating a positive learning environment.

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Fabíola Hayashi

Professora
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Em algum momento de nossa carreira como professores nos depararemos com alunos mais desafiadores, então deixar regras da escola e classe de forma clara e objetiva (fazer o combinados com a turma, assim também eles podem dar suas sugestões). Reforço positivo quando necessário. Informar a gestão escolar e pontuar os responsáveis. Cabe informar a família em um atendimento, pedir ajuda psicológica para compreender esta criança e pode nos dar um norte.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if students' behavior in the classroom needs improvement?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set clear expectations

2 Provide positive feedback

3 Address negative behavior

4 Build relationships

5 Teach behavior skills

6 Seek professional help

7 Here’s what else to consider

Teaching

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What do you do if students' behavior in the classroom needs improvement?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set clear expectations

2 Provide positive feedback

3 Address negative behavior

4 Build relationships

5 Teach behavior skills

6 Seek professional help

7 Here’s what else to consider

Teaching

Rate this article

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