Classroom bullying is a serious issue that can profoundly affect students' well-being, sense of worth and academic performance. It creates an environment of fear and disrespect, which can hinder the learning process for everyone involved.  

Why This Behaviour May Be Happening 

Bullying behaviour often stems from complex and varied needs. Bullies may be seeking to exert control as a response to t...

A lack of participation in class can be a significant barrier to learning, often resulting from students feeling disengaged or insecure. This issue, if not addressed, can lead to a wider gap in student engagement and achievement. 

Why This Behaviour May Be Happening 

Non-participation in the classroom might be linked to a variety of underlying needs. Students' feelings of insecurity or fear of j...

Power struggles in the classroom often stem from a clash between a teacher's authority and a student's need for autonomy, particularly in power-motivated students. Traditional disciplinary methods can exacerbate these issues, leading to a cycle of defiance and frustration. 

Why This Behaviour May Be Happening 

Power-motivated behaviour in students is often a manifestation of their need for auton...

Consequences are an essential classroom management strategy: students need boundaries. But one of the biggest problems with addressing misbehaviour through the use of consequences is that many students quickly become outraged if they are given what they perceive to be an unfair punishment with no apparent warning. Heated arguments between students and staff trying to control them are commonplace a...

Power-oriented students - those who command attention of staff and peers because of their dominant personalities - tend to be those with leadership potential, and they will continue to demand attention until they get it. One of the best ways to give these students that attention, without spending the whole lesson running round after them, is by giving them some responsibilities.

Giving these stud...

Here are 43 Alternative Ways to Say Well Done to a Student. Think of this as your go-to list for those moments when a simple "good job" just isn’t enough. From a cheerful "You’re cooking on gas!" to a sincere "I’m really glad to have you in this class," these phrases are little high-fives for the soul. Get creative with your words of encouragement and watch your students light up! 

1. It’s good to
...

There is one sure-fire way to prevent behaviour problems, build better relationships with your students, make them love your lessons and bag you a nomination for Teacher of the Year – add more fun!

All you have to do is put more fun in your lessons and the following ideas should help get you started. Some are silly, some are wacky and some are plain outrageous but I’m sure you’ll find something w...

There will undoubtedly be students who don’t understand, students who don’t want to understand, and students who finish before everyone else. This will cause you problems unless you’re prepared for it by having strategies and systems in place to prevent and deal with disruptions. A student who needs support, for example, will demand your attention by shouting out, getting out of their chair or, if...

Here are nine fundamental classroom management strategies which will have relevance regardless of the particular classroom problem you’re dealing with. Remembering these two important factors will help you succeed when confronting challenging students.

1. Be Vigilant

Teaching is a hard job. Sometimes there is so much going on in the classroom that we might miss a note being passed around, we mig...

Students who can’t stand not having the ‘last word’ can be some of the most testing; they have an answer for everything.  Often it doesn’t even need to be a verbal retort, as a defiant roll of the eyes can get right under your skin.  Here are a few of my strategies for dealing with students who always feel that they need to be the last person to speak. 

1. Smile 

Sometimes when a student is rude...