You can probably guess the kind of week I’ve had at school by looking at the title of this tip.
As Head of Department, one of the most important things you have to deal with is the behaviour of students (and sometimes teachers and T.A.s) during lessons. You have to be seen to be swift, decisive and fair to all parties. Failure to do this can result in continuing problems for staff, students and parents.
However, the longer I’ve been doing this role, the more I’ve come to realise that the message we deliver to students in schools is extremely important to the way students view their own performance and behaviour within lessons.
I don’t know how we’ve got to this point but it seems to me that the majority of students and parents see it as the teacher’s fault if students do not behave themselves. Now whilst I do agree that the most effective way to ensure good behaviour and learning is through positive, challenging and engaging lessons, students have to understand that the teacher’s role is not control the class, they are there to deliver opportunities for learning. For the majority of students if they do not behave themselves it is because they have chosen to not fully commit to lessons.
I feel this has been pretty effective during the various ‘chats’ I have had to have with students as it places the issue of behaviour firmly in their court. I also highlight to them that teachers are not in the classroom to deal with behaviour they are there to help students to improve.
Over time, drip feeding this mentality in and around the school will help students to appreciate their role within the classroom and how it impacts on their future, hopefully resulting in better outcomes, happier staff and harder working young people.
Teaching Tips 