Conveying to pupils that behaviour is inappropriate

Appropriate behaviour

Letting your class know what behaviour is appropriate and what isn't can be key to ensuring poor behaviour is kept to a minimum.

When things are going well, the communication between teachers and pupils is complex and reflects shared meanings which have developed between them. For example, a teacher may, without looking up from the work s/he is checking with a pupil, say 'someone's being silly' and two pupils at the back of the room stop the behaviour they're involved in, because they know and can interpret the informal rules of that classroom. 

But sometimes teachers haven't built up this shared meaning with a class and their ways of conveying the inappropriacy of behaviour aren't successful. 

A research study identified the eleven teacher strategies that follow.

  1. Descriptive statement of the deviant conduct: 'You're taking a long time to settle down'. 
  2. Statement of the rule which is being invoked:'Rulers aren't for fighting with', `When I'm talking no-one else talks'. 
  3. Appeal to pupil's knowledge of the rule: 'You know you're meant to write it in the book'. 
  4. Command/request for conformity to the rule: 'Shut up', `Put that away'. 
  5. Prohibitions: 'Don't', 'Stop that'. 
  6. Questions: 'Are you listening?', 'What's going on over there?'. 
  7. Statement of the consequences of the deviant conduct: 'I won't bother to read if you go on like this', 'Someone will get hurt if this equipment is left lying here'. 
  8. Warnings and threats: 'I'm going to get annoyed', 'You'll be in detention', 'I'll send you to the Head'. 
  9. Evaluative labels of the pupil and his/her conduct: 'Stop behaving like a baby', 'Don't be daft'.
  10. Sarcasm: 'We can do without the singing', 'Have you retired?'. 
  11. Attention-drawers: 'Sandra!', 'Girls!', '5C!'.    

What are effective strategies? Strategies two and seven achieve two goals: they signal that the behaviour is unwanted and they communicate the rule. As such, they are likely to have the most effective long-term contribution.

Help and support

 For further advice on this issue, ATL members can speak to their school rep, their branch secretary or their regional official. They can also call the London (020 7930 6441), Cardiff (029 2046 5000) or Belfast office (02890 327 990) or email info@atl.org.uk.

For out of hours enquiries, call the out of office hours helpline on 020 7782 1612 (Monday-Friday, 5-8pm during term time).

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