If you engage in a public battle with a student, you have already lost. Some students will say or do anything to avoid defeat or humiliation in front of their peers.
2. Favoritism
A student who feels they have lesser status in the eyes of the teacher will respond accordingly. Withdrawal or misbehavior is often the result of not feeling respected or liked.
3. Hostile body language
Children are experts in nonverbal communication. Take an honest look at how your posture changes depending on how you’re feeling or who you’re talking to.
4. Restricting recess as punishment
Physical exercise reduces symptoms experienced by students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—yet students with ADHD are among the most likely to have recess taken away.
5. Punishing entire class
Holding students accountable when they were not part of the disruption undermines mutual respect in the classroom. Arbitrarily meting out punishment can cause students to feel insecure and distrustful.
6. Failing to forgive
Students should be able to redeem themselves, correct their behavior and rejoin the classroom community. Start each day new and without judgment about the past. Starting a student’s day on “red,” for example, sends a wordless message that you see the student as a problem and undermines their motivation to correct their behavior.
7. Personalizing student behavior
Student behavior is most accurately viewed as communication about a young person’s needs, not a personal statement about an educator’s teaching or personality.
8. Exempting yourself from the rules
In a collaborative classroom, the rules apply to everyone. Don’t talk on your cell phone or eat in class if these behaviors are against the rules for students.
9. Making too many rules
A classroom that is too rigid will demoralize students and can even lead to rebellion. Keep the list of rules clear, broad and short.
10. Passing the buck
Resolve as many issues as possible in your classroom. Sending kids to the office or another room relinquishes your power as the instructional leader. Students need to receive the message that you care about resolving issues within the classroom community.
11.Setting low expectations
Given the opportunity, students will rise to the occasion. Critical engagement requires establishing rigorous standards for all students and providing the scafolding necessary for them to succeed.
12. Public shaming or reprimanding
Whenever possible, avoid embarrassment and further disruption by resisting the urge to discipline a student in front of the class.
