Classroom Management Series #1: When students use profanity

Welcome to our third week of the Classroom Management Series!  The past two weeks we have talked about students talking when not supposed to as well as students using their electronics in the classroom.  This week we are going to address profanity. 

Profanity: (noun) abusive, vulgar, or irrelevant language

   

Includes but not limited to: 

• cussing
• trash talking
• saying mean or sexual jokes (ex. Your momma is so fat…)
• any disrespectful talk that interrupts learning or makes others feel unsafe. 

Why do students use profanity?

• To get attention that they crave
• To impress their peers
• To portray an emotion (excitement, anger/hurt towards a fellow classmate, etc)

Students come from all types of backgrounds and to some of the students these words are normally used in their home.  But in the classroom there needs be different expectations to ensure a safe learning environment. 

Here are a few tips, using our two types of solutions:

Preventive Solutions

• Put in class (rules)-Be respectful, discuss what is and is not disrespectful
• Have a “Behavior Notice” handout available for students to fill out if they misbehave 

  

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Responsive Solutions

• Ask students to rephrase what they said
• Have students apologize for using profanity
• Talk to the offender privately about why they are saying what they are saying
• Have student complete the “Behavior Notice” to return the next day (simply place it on their desk for them to fill in)
• call parents 
• conduct a conference with student (and the other people if profanity was aimed at others)

Remember to make the solutions fit the behavior.  This is because students have a hard time connecting a consequence to an action if the consequence is delayed or unrelated to the misbehavior.  For example, if a student cusses in your class have them rephrase what was said and apologize immediately instead of having the student clean your classroom.  

Next week's question:What do you do when students arrive late or leave early? Please leave your tip in the comment section below.

Classroom Management Series #1: Students using their electronics

Welcome back to the Classroom Management Series!  Last week we addressed the issue of students talking when they are not supposed to.  This week we are going to tackle electronics in the classroom. 

It never fails, many students have the most up to date gadget while I am still trying to figure out my basic Nokia phone.  They have smart phones, personal gaming systems, and mp3 players.  And their toys are more interesting than what is going on in school that day (believe me I know, I can use pinterest on my phone).  

Students are using electronics in the classroom when:

• They are answering and sending text messages and phone calls
• When their phones ring or beep in class
• When students are checking their messages, facebook, etc. on their phones
• Playing with their electronics (phones, iPod, personal gaming system) when instructed not to

Below are solutions divided into two groups thanks to readers and teachers at local workshops!

Preventive Solutions*

• Put all cell phones in a cell jail as they walk into class 
  
• Have students put phones on teacher’s desk as they walk into class
• Students put phones in a shoe organizer that hangs in the front of the room 

  

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• Absolutely forbid phones on tests days-they go on the teacher’s desk
• Remind students daily of policy
• Make it a game:
• phones are turned off/silent and put on the corner of the desk
• first student who touches their phone during class has to leave the class last, clean the room, deducted participation points, etc.
• Give participation points that include not using their phones
• Put into place a “can’t see, can’t hear it” policy
• students can have their phone on silent and in their backpack/pocket
• Model the behavior-don’t use your phone in class

Responsive Solutions*

• Ask students to give you their phone and you put it on your desk till end of class
• Ask students to put it in their pocket or backpack

*Some students may need to have their phones on in class for emergency reasons (someone is ill in their family, they have a life threatening disease/illness, etc.).  Ask them to share this with you and allow them to keep their phone on silent or vibrate while in class.

Electronics are extremely distracting.  I know this from experience.  It took me two hours to “check” my email, facebook, and pinterest so I could “focus” on writing this post.  BUT electronics can be beneficial to learning if used properly! 

Methods for implementing electronics into your lesson plan:

• Using the internet on the phones/mp3 players to look up definitions (and show you the result)
• When students have a question, have them look it up on their phones (and show you’re the result)
• Recording videos for presentations
• Write responses to questions for quick assessment
• Take pictures of notes on the board or picture
• Calculate a math problem 

Remember you will probably have to try multiple solutions for each student until you find one that works for you and your class.  Remember to try to find the reason, explain your expectations, and be consistent!  

Next week's question:What do you do when students use profanity?   Please leave your tip in the comment section below.