Managing Disrespect in the Classroom

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Managing Disrespect in the Classroom
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Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or
elsewhere on campus, disrespect is consistently
one of the most prevalent behavior problems
reported by teachers and staff in our district.
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The purposes of disrespect

• to get attention
• gain control
• seek revenge
• to withdraw

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Although we may not have the means to eliminate
it, here are some strategies to discourage
and/or handle disrespectful behavior.
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Model respect!!

• Set a tone of respect in the classroom.
• Be welcoming to students, make eye contact, and
  call students by their names.
• Establish clear guidelines for behavior and
  clearly explain expectations.
• Avert disrespectfulness by remaining calm,
  responding quietly, and maintaining a
  professional perspective.

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Dont take it personally!!

• When we respond to acts of disrespect by taking
  them personally, we can immediately lose control
  of the situation and weaken our authority.
• Dont allow personal comments to sink in. Over
  time, students will learn that disrespectful
  behavior does not provoke you to anger.

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Use the power of community agreements

• Conduct Classroom Meetings to address
  disrespectful behavior in the Classroom.
• Solicit input from all students by leading the
  students through a series of questions, such as
• What problem are we experiencing?
• What does that look like in our classroom?
• How does that affect our learning?
• What can we do about it?
• Which solution(s) do we agree to follow?

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Classroom Management Plan

• Use the community agreements to form a classroom
  management plan.
• A classroom management plan has two purposes
• To state the rules of the classroom.
• To state exactly what will happen if those rules
  are broken.

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Classroom Management Plan cont.

• Once its presented to your class, youre
  bound by this contract to follow it every minute
  of every day without exception!
• (If you dont, youre breaking your word and
  your students trust.)

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Respond consistently

• Practice zero tolerance for disrespect. Dont
  ignore it!
• Start with a polite warning, establish eye
  contact, and use do rather than dont
  statements.
• Give the student the opportunity to replace
  negative behavior with positive choices.
• Later, discuss the incident with the student
  quietly, calmly, and privately. Make consequences
  for future disrespect clear.

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Use School policy!!

• Although minor disrespectfulness may be
  reversed by using these strategies, rely on
  school policy to address major behavioral
  problems.
• Know your school policies regarding student
  behavior.
• Keep yourself and your students safe.
• Document negative behaviors.
• Involve other school personnel for team planning,
  counseling, or other more aggressive actions.

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Be patient

• Accept that changing negative behavior takes
  considerable time and effort.
• Helping a student to dispel disrespectful
  behaviors can be a slow progress.
• (The commitment of this time and effort can be a
  worthwhile endeavor!)
• Students become loyal to persons that treat them
  with respect, even when they may not deserve it.