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3 Different Types of Challenging Behaviour and How to Respond


3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEHAVIOUR IN THE CLASSROOM



  1. The Talker: Won’t stop talking or interrupting you and the class. 

  2. The Do No Worker: This student will either do very little or no work. There are two types: Students that will either stop others from learning or students who try to go under the radar. 

  3. The Attitude: Defiant. Rude. Argumentative. 



How I respond to each: 


The Talker: It’s annoying but not actually that challenging. Focus on respect (being nice). Keep them busy with a practical task and involve them as much as you can as they want attention. Give them jobs. A seating plan doesn’t usually work so if you can apply them in your lesson you should have more luck.


The Do No Worker: Negotiate work they can do and offer a ‘carrot’ such as free time. They may not do work for a range of reasons. Also, most times it can take more time for them to start work. Check in with them after about 5 minutes and offer assistance to start or complete the task. 


The Attitude: Limit attention to them. Use manners. Be positive and calm in your approach and don’t get involved with their secondary behaviour. Focus on the saying ‘time and a place'.  I will also communicate with them from a well-being perspective. Instead of asking them to do something, phrase it in an empathetic tone: 'Do you need help getting your pen and book out?' or ‘Can I help you with this activity? Barking orders at them won’t work. The ‘well-being’ angle is much better for you and them. 




It’s important to remember you might not get every single student to do their work or respond to you the way you thought or planned. Some lessons feel like everything is out of control. You can see students not doing any work or doing things they’re not meant to but you’re too busy doing other things. I feel if I am under control, and relaxed but present, no matter how crazy the situation, that is a successful lesson in my book.


I was once with a prac teacher and she was teaching a year 4 class. The students were mid through an activity and the room was quite noisy. Because it was noisy the prac teacher was yelling to try and get the students to be quiet and calm down. The students would be quiet for about 5 minutes and then it would be back to being loud again. This happened a few times and the prac teacher was getting frustrated at the students.


I scanned the room and even though it was noisy the students were having fun and getting into the activity. Just because it's not how she wanted it sometimes you just need to stand back and go with the flow.


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