Quick Strategies to Reset Two Common Classroom Behaviours

No matter what subject you teach, unacceptable behaviours can be found in every classroom. Because of how theatre classes are structured, some of these challenges may be more prevalent in the drama classroom. However, just like in any other class, strategies exist to help bring these issues under control. Here are two common unwelcome classroom behaviours and quick strategies to reset them.

Going Off-Task

The theatre classroom can be a chaotic space, and sometimes students take advantage of the chaos and get off-task. Here are three quick strategies to keep students focused:

1. Give clear instructions. If students aren’t sure what they’re supposed to be doing, they will fill the time in their own way. But if you give clear and detailed instructions, students will not have the excuse of not knowing what they were “supposed to do.”

2. Provide extra supervision. Students will get off-task if they think they can get away with it. If you spend too much time with a single student or group, or if you stay at your desk for too long, students will take the opportunity to let their mind (and sometimes their bodies) wander. Actively supervise your students during assigned work times as a way to keep them on-task.

3. Put consequences in place. Make sure students know that if they are not appropriately on-task, there will be consequences. The consequences do not need to be severe, but they do need to be unpleasant, and they need to be enforced. When students recognize that being off-task comes with consequences, they have a strong incentive to stay engaged.

Refusing to Participate

Some students are more than happy to disappear into the shadows of the classroom. They never raise their hand, never volunteer, never willingly participate in classroom activities. Here’s what you can do to address this unwanted behaviour:

1. Recognize. The first step towards fixing this behaviour is recognizing that it exists. As a teacher, you need to be aware of the students who are NOT calling attention to themselves: the student who only sits in the back of the classroom, the student who never raises their hand, the student who does not engage with their group during group work. Students like this are counting on the fact that if they stay quiet and small, you will overlook them when it comes time for participation. Once you recognize that these students are hoping you ignore them, you can take action to connect with them.

2. Require. After you identify a student who is actively trying to avoid participation, you can make a conscious effort to require them to participate. These efforts do not need to be confrontational or aggressive to be effective. Simply calling on a student who has not raised their hand and requiring them to answer a simple question is enough for that student to learn that you see them and expect them to participate. As a bonus, try to give a little positive feedback to the student’s participation. If the student feels like their input was valued, they may be more inclined to participate in the future.

3. Repeat. Engaging with a student one time might not be enough for them to break out of their shell. It may take a number of interactions before they begin to feel safe enough, or seen enough, to be more active in your class. Getting students to consistently participate in your class requires playing the long game. Build an environment of active participation, then gently, and repeatedly, encourage reluctant students to join in. Once a student knows that they can’t hide, and that it might actually be enjoyable to participate, there’s a better chance they will choose to participate on their own.

A note on intentionally disruptive behaviour: When a student is off-task or not participating, it can often be disruptive to your class. That is why I have suggested the strategies detailed above. However, there are times when the disruptive behaviour in your class isn’t incidental or accidental; sometimes the disruption is the point. Whether it’s a cry for help or wanting to be the class clown, some students intentionally disrupt your classroom as a way to bring attention to themselves. No matter the reason, you need to deal with these students in a way that doesn’t feed the attention monster and make the problem worse.

When a student is intentionally disrupting your class, you need to address the disruption immediately, calmly, and professionally, and then have a one-on-one conversation with the student at the first appropriate time. If you can, find out what is motivating this student’s behaviour, and follow up with conversations with parents, counselors, or admin as necessary. It is important to take action, because ignoring disruptive behaviour will not make it go away! Issues like this can simmer over time until you finally lose your cool and explode. So be sure to address intentionally disruptive students with admin and parents, and work with them to come up with an appropriate action plan.