I demonstrate that these children can be successfully managed. People see the good results in my classes. The children are expected to work hard, good manners are used and very high levels of behaviour is expectated. And this makes the children happy. So, what do the adults say when they see this?
Quite often ‘But Liz, I can’t have my class like yours.’ Oh, get a grip!!! These are little kids we’re talking about, and they’re being allowed to treat people like dirt!!!
Then I’ll hear all types of reasons why children’s behaviour isn’t being managed properly.
My classes must be easy, they say, as I only have a small number of children. Well, that could be true but I have 10 or more children in a class with 1 adult, unlike most other similar environments where 4 children and 2 adults would be the norm. Ten extreme behaviour problems in one group could easily lead to problems, chaos even, but my behaviour management strategies work so well that this doesn’t happen.
Another thing they say is, ‘It’s ok for you but I have 50 thousand more children to think about’ .. Ok I’m exaggerating the numbers a bit, but you get my drift. To this I tell them ‘Well actually only one of yours is badly behaved ….’ Schools have to learn the skills to prevent this sort of behaviour becoming the norm.
Then there’s this one – as the heading says. ‘Liz, I can’t have my classes like yours – would be so regimented and the parents would complain’. Really?? It’s a mistake to confuse regimented with routine and structure with an adult who manages behaviour effectively. To get the same results as I do isn’t difficult, but you have to be skilled and confident. I expect my class to work hard, be respectful and adhere to class rules – how can that be a problem??? How is that regimented?? Isn’t that what guiding children into growing into confident, educated adults all about??
As for the excuse about parents complaining – what parent wants their children’s classes to be flooded with bad behaviour. They want their children to be able to learn and make progress in school. So sorry, this excuse doesn’t make sense.
Let me tell you about my regimented classes – James brought his ghost Hallowe’en costume to school – he’s only 9! They were having an event in mainstream that afternoon. While he was waiting for his transport I asked him if he wanted to play a joke and frighten some of the staff. You can easily guess what he said. So, while he put on his costume I brought staff down the corridor and he jumped from behind the door! He had a great time and the adults played the game.
This is the same little boy who, last year, was so out of control that he daily ran amok in school, damaging and destroying. He regularly ran away, violently attacked adults and children, refused to complete class work and wanted everything his own way. Massive doses of Ritalin had no impact. But now he’s a bright, happy, hard working little boy who’s enjoying success in school. He’s well liked and doing so well. Not an unusual case from my class – quite the norm in fact.
It isn’t difficult to learn the skills to manage behaviour in your classroom. Success is there for the taking.
You can profit from Liz Marsden’s success and experience in managing children’s behaviour and classroom management skills. Behaviour Bible offers you essential advice to make your teaching successful. Follow Liz’s daily classroom and outreach work and pick up tips and advice to help you in your classroom.
