Behaviour has been the biggest worry for NQTs on The TES forum recently. But it is not just trainees who grapple with classroom management. Visit our forum (www.tes.co.ukbehaviour) for tips and to see the type of situations qualified teachers are facing.
- One teacher has an intriguing problem: some of his pupils are actually enjoying the detentions he is imposing in a bid to improve their behaviour. “It is obvious that some of them are attention seekers and in detention they finally get me to themselves. Others just like the peace and quiet,” explains the perplexed teacher.
- This tale inspired others to offer advice on making detentions more onerous. Contributor 1033 sometimes makes her pupils draw the Playstation symbol over and over again as part of their detention, while another teacher suggests making them change your wall displays. However, Davsouth2 takes his detentions more seriously: “It should be a time when they have to work hard by thinking through why they are in detention. We use detention worksheets specific to the reason the kids are in detention” (www.tes.co.ukdetention).
- Tricky parents’ meetings are another source of worry (www.tes.co.ukparentsmeet). One teacher has scheduled a meeting with a difficult dad who has a history of making accusations against staff. Others share their advice on dealing with problem parents. “You listen politely to their grievances. If there are things you cannot change, acknowledge this, but counter with ‘We could ...’ and suggest a pre-worked out strategy,” advises one teacher. Another contributor advocates the good old ‘poo sandwich’: “Start with a positive, give the negative and try to end on a positive.”
- Finally, there is a useful discussion devoted to class quietening techniques (www.tes.co.ukquieteners). Some teachers manage to calm a class by raising a hand. Others use a bell or swear by countdowns.
- Get advice at www.tes.co.ukbehaviour from experienced teacher Tom Bennett.
- For advice on everything related to your induction year from teacher trainer James Williams, go to www.tes.co.uknqtforum.
