by Revel Arroway

Created on: December 01, 2009   Last Updated: February 18, 2010

Though there are many behavior challenges teachers have to face in the classroom, three stand out in my classes that I have often had to overcome. These challenges can be listed as: 

*Speaking out of turn or speaking all the time

*Distracting or annoying behavior during class time

*Refusal to participate in classroom activities 

These three behavior challenges can manifest themselves both in classes with children or adolescents as well as in classes with adults. There may be a couple of students who spend more time chatting than listening to the teacher. There may be a know-it-all adult who does not give others a chance to participate in the classroom exchange. There may be a boy who picks on his neighbors or the adult who insults or talks down to classmates. Finally, there can be a shy student in any age group who might feel embarrassed when called upon to participate. 

Knowing that learners are all individuals, with differing reasons for studying from being obliged to attend class to a natural curiosity about the material offered will help teachers to be prepared for a challenge that can become an obstacle. No matter what the challenge, the teacher must face it; however, the student should be an integral part in reaching a solution and turning a behavior challenge into a learning opportunity. 

I get a head-start on these behavior challenges by being clear about the expectations in classroom behavior, being consistent in observing them, evaluating the progress in meeting them and finally, being a rewarding person when expectations are met. When making the list of “rules” for classroom behavior, I outline the most general, positive expectations for the group in question. For example, students are expected to: 

1) Speak one at a time and listen when others speak

When we are speaking we can’t listen. Every member of the class has the right and responsibility to speak up. The teacher might do most of the speaking at times, when sharing information to be learned or explaining concepts. Students are expected to speak when answering questions or participating in the evolution of an idea. 

Raising hands to get the floor often works in more formal classrooms. Passing the shell (“The Lord of the Flies”) makes it visually clear who should be speaking and who should be listening. Calling on all students equally shows that each student has a voice in the classroom. 

Speaking out of turn can be distracting

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