Taking steps to prevent misbehavior is a one of the most challenging roles of a teacher. Pupils’ misbehavior takes many forms. There are the argumentative pupil, the class clown, the attention seeker, the annoying distracter and the know it all. These have negative effects on the learning environment that is why the teacher should know how to handle these behavior problems.

            To deal with these effectively, the teacher should recognize and categorize the different types of misbehavior. For example, a pupil who continues to disrupt class acts out gregariously to fulfill his need for attention and derives pleasure from getting attention. Teachers should find other ways to fulfill that need for attention so that he won’t continue to disrupt class.

            A teacher should also communicate expectations. She should take the time to instruct her pupils about expectations for behavior in the classroom. She should describe types of misbehavior and underlying causes to her pupils. She should communicate to pupils the specific punishments that will be incurred for misbehavior. She just has to make sure that the punishments for inappropriate behavior depend on school policy.

            Teaching self-discipline is also a great way of handling behavior problems. Teachers should take time to teach their pupils about constructive ways to deal with feelings. What if the behavior problems repeatedly occur? Then the teachers and the principal can contact parents and schedule a conference for possible solutions.

By: Celia M. Constante | MT-I | Ipag Elementary School | Mariveles, Bataan