Don't rely on other people to discipline your students. Once that door closes, they won't be in the room with you. Your behavior management plan and system should do the "talking." Relying on security and principals to remove students (unless they are distracting the class, fighting, or being extremely disrespectful) will simply undermine your authority. You'll be viewed as less. You need to have a classroom management plan: a set of rules and a general list of consequences posted somewhere in your classroom. ISS and detention doesn't really work today; sometimes it feels like a reward for a student. Students getting an "out of school" suspension is like a mini-vacation.
I create a participation grade category that credits students for being focused and respectful during the lesson. If a student is sleeping, changing their seat, or being disrespectful (off task), I take points off their weekly grade. Students have come up to me asking about their participation grade. I'll add comments like slept on 3/1 or didn't follow instruction. Instead of tossing students out of your class. Try figuring other ways to handle them that meet both of your needs. Pick and choose your battles today. For me, disrespect is never to be tolerated. The annoying behaviors like a kid sleeping, a little side chatter, students not working, heads down, cheating on assignments, and more are dealt with in the class. Try these steps to help with behaviors.
1. Redirect with proximity (teach closer to the student)
2. Observe the student to see the "why" of their behavior. A couple of quick glances. Behavior can be caused by the following ideas: attention seeking, wanting power, escape/avoidance, student boredom, challenging work, easy work, hunger/thirst needs, out of school or family problems, disabilities, or sensory issues. We sometimes automatically assume the behavior is attention seeking, but you may be surprised when some students tell you exactly what they need.
3. Conference with them quickly (lower your stature, talk in whispers). "Hey what's up? Are you okay? Can you chill out a little bit. What's wrong? Why are you acting like this?
4. If the above doesn't work or resolve the problem, issue a warning. Now with warnings, you need to follow through.
5. Depending on the behavior, if it can be managed in the class, the student should not earn participation points for being disruptive.
6. If the behavior is out of control, they will need to be removed. You can start by just asking nicely for this student to head out of your class. Don't be mean or a jerk about it. "I need you to grab your stuff and head to the office." You might need to get this child escorted for safety purposes. The psychology of it is to say it respectfully and professionally.
Note: If your class culture is healthy and warm, you won't have to do this usually at all. I hardly kick anyone out of my class unless the behavior is really escalating.
7. Stay calm at all times. This is probably the hardest. Remember, they are children or teenagers. Give them respect because they aren't perfectly developed human beings. Students also want you to "lose your head" and maybe catch you off guard. Control yourself as much as you can. Take a few deep breaths. Don't take anything personally.
8. Document if the student is removed and follow your classroom and building procedures.
Note: Don't make this a habit of kicking students out. Building rapport and connection is the key to get rid of the "back and forth" disrespect and awkward tension between teachers and students. Good relationships solve so much of the above issues. When I have a student removed from a class, the principals usually know the child must have done something pretty bad in my class. Student down deep still respect you when you discipline with kindness. Think--it's hard being a jerk to a nice person. So stay calm and kind with issuing consequences. Keep students in your class and figure out what they need from you. It might just be something that surprises you. It's exhausting! I know!
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