Dealing with Disruptive Behviors in the Upper Elementary Classroom

Pain Points for Teachers Dealing with Disruptive Behaviors

Dealing with disruptive behaviors can be one of the trickiest parts of teaching. Do any of these sound familiar to you?

Disruption of Instruction: Frequent interruptions can throw off your lesson plans and make it challenging to maintain a smooth flow in your teaching.
Time Management: Addressing these behaviors often takes up time spent on instruction and engaging activities.
Emotional Toll: Managing disruptive behaviors can feel exhausting, and it’s a significant factor in teacher burnout and frustration.
Impact on Other Students: Disruptive behaviors don’t affect the student acting out—they can create a challenging environment for everyone, making it hard for other students to learn comfortably.
Consistency in Enforcement: Enforcing fair and consistent rules and consequences can be tricky, especially given students’ needs and unique behaviors.

If you answered “yes” to any of these, you are not alone! As teachers, we face these challenging behaviors daily.

Identifying and Understanding Common Disruptive Behaviors

Let’s start by identifying some common disruptive behaviors you might see in the classroom:

Disruptive Talking: Those students who can’t resist chatting out of turn or during lessons.
Inattention and Daydreaming: Kids who seem off in their own world.
Defiance and Non-compliance: Students who resist following directions or classroom rules.
Physical Aggression: Pushing, hitting, or other physical confrontations.
Social Isolation: Students who withdraw from classmates and avoid activities.

Understanding why these behaviors happen can make all the difference. Are they seeking attention? Facing challenges at home? Struggling with a learning difficulty? Pinpointing the reasons behind these behaviors can help you respond in a way that genuinely supports each student.

Now, that does not mean you can solve all of these problems. It will take time to determine what is happening with the student(s) and implement strategies to fix these challenges.

Implementing Proactive Strategies to Prevent Issues

Proactive classroom management can help prevent many challenging behaviors before they start. Here are some tried-and-true strategies:

Clear Expectations and Consistent Routines: Establish and maintain clear rules and routines from day one. Consistency helps students know what to expect and what is expected of them.
Engaging Lessons: Keep lessons interactive and engaging. Boredom can lead to disruptive behavior, so mix things up with hands-on activities, group work, and tech integration.
Positive Relationships: Build positive relationships with your students from day one. When students feel respected and valued, they’re more likely to respect you and your classroom rules.
Classroom Layout: Arrange your classroom to minimize distractions and make it easy to monitor all students. Consider seating arrangements that help with positive interactions.

Using Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

PBIS is a proactive approach that uses positive reinforcement to improve student behavior. Here’s how to implement it effectively:

Teach Behavioral Expectations: Just as you teach academic content, teach your students what good behavior looks like. Use role-playing and discussions to model and practice these behaviors.
Reinforce Positive Behavior: Recognize and reward students when they meet behavioral expectations. This could be through verbal praise, points, or small tangible rewards.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Use data to monitor student behavior and identify patterns. This can help you adjust your strategies and provide targeted support to students who need it.
Collaborative Approach: Involve parents, counselors, and other school staff in supporting positive behavior. A team approach can be very effective in addressing challenging behaviors.

Handling Specific Behaviors with Patience and Consistency

When challenging behaviors arise, handling them with patience and consistency is essential. Here’s how to approach some specific behaviors:

Disruptive Talking:
- Strategy: Implement a signal or non-verbal cue to remind students to listen. Use positive reinforcement to acknowledge those who follow the rules.
- Tip: Have a private conversation with constant talkers to understand their behavior and set personal goals for improvement.
Inattention and Daydreaming:
- Strategy: Break tasks into smaller, manageable parts and use frequent check-ins. Incorporate movement breaks to help students stay focused.
- Tip: Provide choices in assignments to increase engagement and ownership of their work.
Defiance and Non-compliance:
- Strategy: Stay calm and avoid power struggles. Use “I” statements to express how their behavior affects you and the class. Offer choices to give them a sense of control.
- Tip: Develop a behavior contract with clear consequences and rewards, involving the student in creating it to ensure buy-in.
Physical Aggression:
- Strategy: Immediately intervene to ensure safety. Use a calm, firm voice to address the behavior. Provide a cool-down period before discussing the incident.
- Tip: Work with school counselors to provide additional support and interventions for aggressive students.
Social Isolation:
- Strategy: Foster a classroom environment that promotes inclusion and collaboration. Pair isolated students with peer buddies for activities.
- Tip: Create opportunities for all students to shine, whether through group projects, class jobs, or showcasing their talents.

Dealing with challenging behaviors can be tough, but consistency and a positive attitude go a long way. Celebrate the small victories, and don’t be afraid to seek support from colleagues or counselors when needed. Every student is capable of positive change, and with the right strategies, you can create a classroom environment where all students thrive.

Keep up the fantastic work, and remember, you’re not alone!

Love this journey for you.