Here are my top ten classroom management strategies for dealing with angry, defiant students.
Strategy 1: Remain detached and calm.
Defiant behaviour is often a cry for help or an attempt to cover a fear of failure. Nobody wants to look stupid in front of others. Being sensitive to your students’ needs and the reasons behind their behavior is very important. Remember also that their behaviour is most probably not aimed at you so try not to appear to take it personally.
Strategy 2: Offer help or support.
Offering support to your students is a very positive and totally non-confrontational first response and is, therefore, one of the best ways to deal with a student who is digging themselves into a deep hole. This classroom management strategy will also strengthen the staff/student relationship.
‘I can see you’re getting angry about this, why don’t you go and sit over there quietly for a few minutes and then let me know when you need some help?’
‘Is there anything I can do that will make this easier for you?’
Strategy 3: Ask for their help or advice.
Asking students for help catches them completely off guard, immediately changes their negative state and can, more than any other technique dis-harm and get them on side.
Strategy 4: Give them a classroom responsibility.
The challenging students often have leadership qualities, like being a ring leader and are in desperate need of attention. Meet this need on your terms by giving them a responsibility of some kind - a job, an errand or being in charge of some equipment. This particular classroom management strategy can have remarkable (and very fast) results.
Strategy 5: Remove audience pressure.
If possible, speak to the student privately or redirect them to deal with the problem later.
“Let’s not talk about it here – it could be embarrassing for both of us. Come and see me at lunchtime so that you can tell me everything that’s bothering you – and come early so that you still get your break.”
Strategy 6: De-escalate, deflect and defuse.
Any form of distraction such as asking them an off-topic question or diverting them towards a new activity/scene can switch their attention, take the heat out of a situation and provide the necessary change in state.
Another de-escalation strategy is simply not to react; say nothing and just look at them. Ignore their socks altogether.
Silence is very powerful at times like this. The student wants a response and by meeting them with an impassive look and total silence you clearly convey that you are in total control and will not be drawn into an argument. One of the greatest ways to deal with someone who wants an argument and get them to stop and think and reflect on their behaviour is to deny them a reaction of any kind.
Top tip: stay calm. It’s key to making this classroom management strategy an ultimate success.
Strategy 7: Give them opportunities to succeed.
Tasks pitched to their interests and ability level allows students to experience success and raise their self-esteem. If fear of failing at a task in front of peers is driving their negative behaviour they need sufficient opportunity to succeed and experience ‘a-ha!’ moments to improve their attitude.
Strategy 8: Acknowledge any improvement in attitude.
It’s easy to continually focus on negative behaviour when dealing with particularly challenging students but the quickest way to make lasting positive changes to their behaviour is always with positive comments. If they make a slight improvement, be quick to jump on it and ‘catch them being good’. Tell them specifically what they have done and why you are so pleased with them.
Strategy 9: Encourage and facilitate cooperative group work.
Positive relationships between peers need to be established and continually developed if students’ negative attitudes towards school/college are to be addressed. All students need to be made to feel welcome and part of the classroom community. Peer relationships can be strengthened through regular team building activities and cooperative group work.
Strategy 10: Let love be your guide.