Welcome to the Willard R-2 School District! Congratulations!

Classroom Management & Managing Aggressive Individuals Willard, Missouri August 5, 2008  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Workshop Objectives Know how to design clear expectations for student behavior, classroom routines and the prevention of misbehavior Recognize and know how to respond to the early warning signs of those susceptible to aggressive and/or violent behavior  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Know how to design clear expectations for student behavior, classroom routines and the prevention of misbehavior

Recognize and know how to respond to the early warning signs of those susceptible to aggressive and/or violent behavior

Things We Do Not Control A parent’s attitude toward learning ‘ Yell and Hit’ method of parenting Societal ills: drugs, violence, constant danger Kids brought up on TV and Video games  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

A parent’s attitude toward learning

‘ Yell and Hit’ method of parenting

Societal ills: drugs, violence, constant danger

Kids brought up on TV and Video games

Things We Do Control Student experiences of learning in the classroom Academics – quality and quantity Student Engagement  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Student experiences of learning in the classroom

Academics – quality and quantity

Student Engagement

What do students want? Teachers to be nice and smile often Teachers to care about them Teachers to be understanding Teachers to be patient Teachers to be fair and consistent Teachers who like teaching  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Teachers to be nice and smile often

Teachers to care about them

Teachers to be understanding

Teachers to be patient

Teachers to be fair and consistent

Teachers who like teaching

What do students want? Teachers that are trustworthy Teachers who get to know them Teachers who believe in them Teachers who make learning interesting Teachers who don’t embarrass them Teachers who challenge them  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Teachers that are trustworthy

Teachers who get to know them

Teachers who believe in them

Teachers who make learning interesting

Teachers who don’t embarrass them

Teachers who challenge them

What do students want? Teachers who don’t scream Teachers who don’t give up on them Teachers that challenge them to be their best Teachers who help them succeed  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Teachers who don’t scream

Teachers who don’t give up on them

Teachers that challenge them to be their best

Teachers who help them succeed

Master Teachers Know what they are doing every day Know and teach classroom procedures throughout the school year – even in the spring Know their professional responsibilities Know that every day can be “the first day of school”  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Know what they are doing every day

Know and teach classroom procedures throughout the school year – even in the spring

Know their professional responsibilities

Know that every day can be “the first day of school”

A Well Managed Classroom Characteristics High level of student involvement with work Relatively little wasted time, confusion, or disruption Work oriented but relaxed and pleasant climate  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Characteristics

High level of student involvement with work

Relatively little wasted time, confusion, or disruption

Work oriented but relaxed and pleasant climate

A Well Managed Classroom Effective Teachers Constantly ask - Are they learning what I want them to learn? Can they demonstrate or explain what they have learned? Ensure that students understand assignments are based upon objectives  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Effective Teachers

Constantly ask - Are they learning what I want them to learn? Can they demonstrate or explain what they have learned?

Ensure that students understand assignments are based upon objectives

A Well Managed Classroom Effective Teachers Have a discipline plan Start class immediately Have daily agenda, objectives, and assignments posted Circulate and scan  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Effective Teachers

Have a discipline plan

Start class immediately

Have daily agenda, objectives, and assignments posted

Circulate and scan

A Well Managed Classroom Effective Teachers Dress professionally Understand that they are role models Are able to say “No” and mean it  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Effective Teachers

Dress professionally

Understand that they are role models

Are able to say “No” and mean it

A Well Managed Classroom Effective Teachers Invest time in practicing procedures until they are routine Know how to bring class to attention Know how to praise and encourage  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Effective Teachers

Invest time in practicing procedures until they are routine

Know how to bring class to attention

Know how to praise and encourage

A Well Managed Classroom Effective Teachers Meet and greet students at the door Use a seating chart Teach responsibility by making students responsible for daily tasks  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Effective Teachers

Meet and greet students at the door

Use a seating chart

Teach responsibility by making students responsible for daily tasks

A Well Managed Classroom Effective Teachers Introduce rules, procedures, and routines from day one and continue to teach them throughout the school year Make regular and routine calls to the student’s parents Have a procedure for dismissing class  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Effective Teachers

Introduce rules, procedures, and routines from day one and continue to teach them throughout the school year

Make regular and routine calls to the student’s parents

Have a procedure for dismissing class

Consequences vs. Punishment There should not be punishment – only consequences Consequences should be designed to get a student’s attention Consequences should have a hierarchy Consequences should teach that students have a “choice”  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

There should not be punishment – only consequences

Consequences should be designed to get a student’s attention

Consequences should have a hierarchy

Consequences should teach that students have a “choice”

An Overall Climate of Civility is Critically Important When students see others being treated harshly by school personnel it scares them. Shy, well-behaved students may be apprehensive of adults at school. This is true even if the abuse is occurring in another teacher’s classroom.  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

When students see others being treated harshly by school personnel it scares them. Shy, well-behaved students may be apprehensive of adults at school.

This is true even if the abuse is occurring in another teacher’s classroom.

Reminders & Warnings Non Verbal Reminders Pause in speaking Look at student Walk near the student Place hand on student desk Point to the work that student should be doing  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Non Verbal Reminders

Pause in speaking

Look at student

Walk near the student

Place hand on student desk

Point to the work that student should be doing

Reminders & Warnings Verbal Reminders Say student’s name State rules aloud to classroom Comment on those behaving appropriately  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Verbal Reminders

Say student’s name

State rules aloud to classroom

Comment on those behaving appropriately

Outside the Classroom Removal from Classroom Hallway Another classroom Designated bench Office  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Removal from Classroom

Hallway

Another classroom

Designated bench

Office

Emphasize - Procedures rather than rules Consequences rather than punishment  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Procedures rather than rules

Consequences rather than punishment

Students Need to Understand Appropriate signal for getting teacher’s attention Appropriate way to enter and leave the classroom How to maintain, obtain and use materials for learning How to leave the class for a personal matter How to react when there is an intercom announcement  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Appropriate signal for getting teacher’s attention

Appropriate way to enter and leave the classroom

How to maintain, obtain and use materials for learning

How to leave the class for a personal matter

How to react when there is an intercom announcement

Room Arrangement Arrange desks so that all students face the teacher and students can be easily monitored Allow for room to move between aisles Plan for student belongings  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Arrange desks so that all students face the teacher and students can be easily monitored

Allow for room to move between aisles

Plan for student belongings

Room Arrangement Have a consistent place for listing the day’s and week’s assignments Post a large example of heading for student work  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Have a consistent place for listing the day’s and week’s assignments

Post a large example of heading for student work

Teacher Caused Student Misbehavior Capricious or inconsistent enforcement of rules Extra assignments for poor behavior Intentional embarrassment of students  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Capricious or inconsistent enforcement of rules

Extra assignments for poor behavior

Intentional embarrassment of students

Teacher Caused Student Misbehavior Group punishment Loud talking Nagging Negative touch control  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Group punishment

Loud talking

Nagging

Negative touch control

Teacher Caused Student Misbehavior Overreacting Physical punishment Premature judgment Threats and ultimatums Writing as a punishment  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Overreacting

Physical punishment

Premature judgment

Threats and ultimatums

Writing as a punishment

Poor Behavior is Contagious! Students act crazy, and they give those behaviors to us. Talk to your friend about the meaning of this statement.  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Students act crazy, and they give those behaviors to us.

Talk to your friend about the meaning of this statement.

Attitudes and Beliefs Teaching student behavior really is a part of the job Every disciplinary issue is a teaching opportunity Most students don’t get the chance to “practice” good behavior -- In school, we usually remove them from the opportunity  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Teaching student behavior really is a part of the job

Every disciplinary issue is a teaching opportunity

Most students don’t get the chance to “practice” good behavior -- In school, we usually remove them from the opportunity

Attitudes and Beliefs Reducing Harmful Aggression Everyone can become aggressive depending upon the circumstances Rewards and punishment can work in the short term but values like caring, respect and remorse are what will change aggressive behavior for the long term Optimism is crucial so take care of yourself and surround yourself with optimistic people  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Everyone can become aggressive depending upon the circumstances

Rewards and punishment can work in the short term but values like caring, respect and remorse are what will change aggressive behavior for the long term

Optimism is crucial so take care of yourself and surround yourself with optimistic people

Why Do Students Misbehave? Saving Face Poor academic ability Having the last word  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Saving Face

Poor academic ability

Having the last word

Why Do Students Misbehave? Seeking Attention Soggy potato chips Previous inappropriate modeling of adult behavior  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Seeking Attention

Soggy potato chips

Previous inappropriate modeling of adult behavior

Why Do Students Misbehave? Extraneous Substances Internal imbalance Chemical abuse  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Extraneous Substances

Internal imbalance

Chemical abuse

Building and Sustaining Relationships Sometimes little things matter the most Greet and say good bye to students each day Call students by name Find the strengths and build on them Tell personal stories – let them know you Teach empathy by apologizing Listen  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Sometimes little things matter the most

Greet and say good bye to students each day

Call students by name

Find the strengths and build on them

Tell personal stories – let them know you

Teach empathy by apologizing

Listen

Building and Sustaining Relationships Have fun Use nonverbal cues Say no respectfully Stay personally connected without taking personally what they may say Remember all staff serve as role models Don’t ignore the issue of chemical abuse  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Have fun

Use nonverbal cues

Say no respectfully

Stay personally connected without taking personally what they may say

Remember all staff serve as role models

Don’t ignore the issue of chemical abuse

Risk Factors for Aggressive Behavior Consistently refuses to follow directions of adults History of alcohol and/or drug abuse Recent attempts to commit suicide or other violent acts or a family member that has committed a violent act A lack of coping skills or ability to handle life crises Frequent school or discipline problems  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Risk Factors for Aggressive Behavior No inhibition to showing anger Feelings of being picked on, bullied, or persecuted Expressions of violence in drawings or writings Serious threats of violence Unable to sympathize or empathize  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Risk Factors for Aggressive Behavior Commonly resorts to name calling, cursing, and abusive language Has previously brought a weapon to school Prior suspensions, expulsions or excessive truancies Bedwetting, cruelty to animals and setting fires Significant mood swings  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Power Struggles Time constraints Fatigue Innate desire to “win” Behavioral patterns Lack of student or staff training  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Time constraints

Fatigue

Innate desire to “win”

Behavioral patterns

Lack of student or staff training

Power Struggles Speak the second to the last word Model the values you want to see Do not use sarcasm Listen, agree, acknowledge, defer Use humor  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Speak the second to the last word

Model the values you want to see

Do not use sarcasm

Listen, agree, acknowledge, defer

Use humor

Writing Referrals to the Office Insubordinate Disrespectful Rude Inappropriate  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Insubordinate

Disrespectful

Rude

Inappropriate

Working with Angry Students Respond professionally When consequences are necessary, be business-like with your demeanor Make sure consequences make sense Remember – they will eventually return to your classroom  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Respond professionally

When consequences are necessary, be business-like with your demeanor

Make sure consequences make sense

Remember – they will eventually return to your classroom

Working with Angry Students When you aren’t sure what to say, say nothing Remember your manners and say please and thank you Now is not the time to place blame  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

When you aren’t sure what to say, say nothing

Remember your manners and say please and thank you

Now is not the time to place blame

Warning Signs Early Warning, Timely Response Social withdrawal Excessive feelings of isolation and rejection Victim of violence Feelings of persecution Lack of interest in school Poor academic performance Violence in drawings or writings Anger that is difficult to control  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Social withdrawal

Excessive feelings of isolation and rejection

Victim of violence

Feelings of persecution

Lack of interest in school

Poor academic performance

Violence in drawings or writings

Anger that is difficult to control

Recognize Behaviors of Desperate Aggression Nothing to lose Difficulty listening Pessimistic Very little concern for the feelings or safety of others  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Nothing to lose

Difficulty listening

Pessimistic

Very little concern for the feelings or safety of others

Recognize Behaviors of Desperate Aggression cont’d Unconcerned about consequences of behavior Easily provoked into a more serious situation  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Unconcerned about consequences of behavior

Easily provoked into a more serious situation

Warning Signs Desperate Aggression Poor judgment Paranoia Confusion Hurtful and threatening language Nervousness  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Poor judgment

Paranoia

Confusion

Hurtful and threatening language

Nervousness

Calming Techniques Do not become angry. Accept the situation. Focus on the goal of calming the person. Resolving the problem that caused the person to be out of control is secondary. Look for any action that will calm the person. Do not focus on what the person is doing wrong. Do not take anything the person says personally.  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

De-Escalating Techniques Disarm the Attitude – Quickly agree with the person. This technique can take the steam out of his/her anger and help to calm the person. Reiteration – Simply repeat the person’s own words so that he/she knows that you are not going to fight and argue about the issue. Isolation – Simply say, “We can’t talk publicly about this. But let’s talk privately. I don’t want other people to think you have lost control of your emotions.”  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Non-Verbal Responses Respect personal space Maintain an open stance – stand at an angle and keep hands in open view Maintain eye contact, but do not stare through the person Facial expression should be serious but not angry or fearful Convey concern and control  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

What Works? Gather pertinent information Defer action Refuse to be baited Compile a response list Learn to apologize Listen to body messages Develop a plan to get help Strategies teachers should know  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

What Works? Continued Remain calm and in control Respond empathetically – don’t interrupt Remain non-judgmental Be aware of their own paraverbals – tone, volume, and rate Use the individual’s name When possible, give choices that are clear, concise, and enforceable  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

What Works? Continued Get a grip The most important speaking you will do is with your ears Recognize enemies and dissenters Use credible witnesses Move on Remain detached  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

Haim Ginott “ I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or deescalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.”  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.

“ I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or deescalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.”

Have a Safe, Productive and Educational School Year!  2008 EDU-SAFE L.L.C.