Q: I am an NQT and my first class (year 5) has a lot of 'big characters'. Due to home life a lot of the children are needy and attention seeking repeatedly calling out or causing silliness. I also have 5 girls who are constantly falling out with each other and causing drama. I'm using techniques but don't feel there is a technique that fits the whole class. I am always whispering, clapping, praising, making examples of children, acting cross, referring to rules etc the list goes on but nothing is working for such a demanding class! Help!
A: If you have an unsteady home life, if you have started to mistrust adults, if people don't stay when they promise they are going to then you treat each adult you meet with suspicion. You don't have a relationship with them and that is what is at the core of your problems. The techniques that work for experienced teachers will not work for you straight away. Without relationships things don't work so well.
They are testing you. Testing to see if you will stay. Testing your patience, your determination and your commitment. If adults had lied to you at home, you would do the same. Tell them every day ‘I am here for you, I am not going anywhere, we are going to succeed together'. Tell them until they believe it and then set about getting to know them. You need to build mutual trust quickly. Above all the tips and techniques it is this relationship that will improve behaviour. It is this relationship that will provide a solid foundation for behaviour change.
It sounds as though you have a range of strategies, some of which make sense, others I would question (acting cross/making examples of children). It might be worth stepping back from the daily firefight and behaviour ‘tricks' to consider your own philosophy on behaviour. How do these techniques fit with your own beliefs?
I agree with you that there is not one technique that fits the whole class. One size does not fit all. You need to differentiate how you teach behaviour just as you differentiate teaching literacy. What works with Ashraf on a Monday may not work with him on a Wednesday. As you get to know the children better you will be more informed and more able to refine strategies for individuals.
Hold tight, it could be a rocky ride.
