Minimalism in Classroom Management, part 2

Hello everyone,

Some time ago, I wrote that you should use the "least amount possible" (or similar words) in controlling students.

By that, I did not mean that you should tolerate misbehavior. What I mean is that, when trying to control misbehavior, you should use the least amount you possibly can to get proper behavior.

Say a student is talking out of turn--an individual student, not the entire class. Simply meet the students eyes and put your finger to your lips. Most of the time, that's all that's necessary. The student will nod and be quiet.

If the student doesn't see you, you may need to say the student's name. Avoid saying more. You may say, "[Student's name], please be quiet," or, occasionally something like, "Did you understand what I meant?" But you should avoid saying any more than is absolutely necessary until after class.

Why shouldn't you say more? First, and most important, because it takes away from instructional time. Second, saying more suggests that you may be losing control, and there is nothing more fascinating than a teacher losing control. Finally, reproof is normally best when it is private. (We can elaborate on public/private reproof/praise some other time.)

In discipline, as in art, "less is more."

As an important sidenote, I want to emphasize that you should always think in terms of dealing with the actions of the student. Separate the actions from the student personally.

DO NOT: Rail on the student publicly, belittle the student, waste class time disciplining the student, or ask the student, "Why did you do that?"

NEVER DO any more than is required.

ALWAYS DO what is required.

Jeff Combe