How to Handle an Out of Control Middle-School Classroom

[@mssarec]

As a middle school math teacher in an urban school district, my best advice is to know your audience. Sometimes the stuff mentioned in the video can feel very elementary to them and make them feel like babies. They don’t want that. For other classes, it may work pretty well. The key is to know the audience. Sometimes you also just have to be goofy and vibe with them. Sometimes if a kid is on their phone or doing something they aren’t supposed to be doing, I’ll aim a laser pointer at whatever they are doing. Or sometimes you just need a good noodle star chart from SpongeBob in a classroom that is just too chatty during direct instruction. Maybe throw marshmallows at Danny’s head when he’s being a doofus. Find common ground with your students as well as common interests. Can’t find any common interests? Ask to learn more about theirs. Take interest in them. They are still just kids and school is long. Teachers tend to lecture too much and some content or your subject may just be boring for them. You can spare a few minutes every now and then to just chat with everyone and catch up. Know your audience, be high with your expectations and consistent with your own class rules from day 1. You’re gonna do great guys 🎉

[@gibsonedu]

This is the best comment. You're clearly a fantastic teacher. Pinning this to the top.

[@tierragray]

You cant get frustrated, stay calm. don't call the student out and create a 'power struggle' I love the scripted phrase "Once we have 100% participation we WILL move on."

[@lovetobe6118]

I subbed for a middle school teacher once. It was a learning experience because I couldn't treat them like the high schoolers or the elementary school students. It took a while, but I realized I had to talk incredibly fast like a bidding auctioner and prompt them to repeat as a class key instructions plus throw in so wild random quirks and surprises. It worked very well but was exhausting.

[@gibsonedu]

Ha, I bet that was tiring!

[@artsbybware4790]

Everything you described in the beginning is exactly what I went through yesterday, the first day as a teacher. It was awful and I went home crying

[@m3_lifestyle279]

oh no! I'm set to start my first day next week with a high school class. I'm so scared. what would you have done different. any advice.

[@gibsonedu]

I'm really sorry B Ware. I know it can feel so defeating to have a rough first day. How have things been now that you're a few weeks in? Do you have any other experienced teachers in your school that you can go to for support and advice?

[@gibsonedu]

How was the first day m3?

[@jennahoran]

How’s it going now??

[@Lilyalexandermakes]

im starting now as suplly teacher .... it's a nightmare sometimes :(((

[@worc2187]

I did this on my second day of class and it changed everything. I teach in a low income school and there's literally more peace for all of us. Thank you. Made the connection.

[@gibsonedu]

That is AWESOME to hear Dan! Keep going and let me know if I can do anything else to help.

[@noelnovels6511]

I’m a first year middle school teacher and I am having so much anxiety with starting this year! I’ve only had experience with elementary age students! Your videos are helping ease my anxiety!! Thank you so much!

[@gibsonedu]

I really appreciate you sharing that Noel :) I for sure remember many days driving to work with a knot of anxiety in my stomach. Take it one day at a time and just remember that middle schoolers are pretty much just slightly taller elementary school students ;)

[@BB-gd7ez]

Same.

[@mariaguild2024]

Middle Schoolers are just bigger kids. except they are more insecure, Middle school is really were they are struggling to find their place! It sometimes helps to see them as just bigger kids. They still like stickers, they still like coloring pages, they still get excited about little rewards. and praise and attention. Yes there are always a few that have bigger behavior issues, and you have to delve deeper, but some of the best 'older kid' teachers I have sen are the really good 'Younger kid' teachers. Because if you can manage 30 1st graders, you are pretty well equipped for older kids too.

[@vincentbatten4686]

How did it go? I'm about to start my first year, and I'm curious what it was like.

[@Insightful_Locs]

The start of this video is so relatable

[@gibsonedu]

We've all been there :)

[@teachermade766]

Handle the behaviors at the beginning of the year is the best advice any teacher can give to another new teacher.

[@gibsonedu]

Totally. Much easier to start the boat moving in the right direction from the start than trying to change course later.

[@francescalujan6514]

This is such an unhelpful and smug comment. What about people who start teaching mid-year or at the end of the year?

[@MySideHustleStash]

@@francescalujan6514 the same still applies go in with strong and strict rules from where you started in the year.

[@dannygreenwood3616]

I just started mid year.... So yeah.

[@Carlosreads]

@@MySideHustleStashprecisely, it’s just about setting the tone from as soon as you start. Doesn’t matter when you start in the year.

[@MarkSmithhhh]

Teacher for 16 years, 7th math...in the inner city and have little if any chaos in my class...best advice "do not bend"...if you dont want kids talking when youre talking do NOT ignore it...call them on it, if they argue, do NOT engage in the power struggle...issue a consistent FAIR and IMPERSONAL consequence or reaction that youre ok with, and always always always debrief with them when its safe and let them say their piece privately with you and truly listen to their perspective, youll build a strong relationship with said kid and theyll think twice about upsetting you again...the SECOND you let something go, theyll push it a step further...you can set the line wherever you want, some teachers are fine with more unstructured environments and some want it pin drop silent..ive seen FANTASTIC teachers with both styles...the biggest thing is that the ebvironment is always dictated by the Teacher...the wildest thing tho is that youll find that the teachers with the clearest, most consistent, and unwavering expectations are actually the teachers the kids love the most...its like prison, youll be tested to see what youre made of, stand up for yourself or youll be trampled on...come june, the kids will love you even if they dont in august..like he said, nothing is "good enough", its perfect or we try again and you never move on till its right

[@raymondblake5765]

Ok so then you could just end up with doing the consequence everyday... The kids just take the consequence and sabotage your job.

[@raymondblake5765]

What does 'fair' mean.

[@evan3714]

What are some examples of consequences that you have found effective? Any response would be greatly appreciated

[@OneMoreAnimalAndItsAZoo]

I gave pop quizzes almost every day. The directions would be given the day before in a conversation level volume. I had a LOT of talkers. They didn't know when the directions would be given. It varied every day. One day, the directions were to come into class the following day, take out a piece of paper, put your name on it, write the alphabet and fold it in half. Directions were given only once. The "good" kids loved this part of class. They never discussed the directions outside of class. The "bad" kids finally got with the program. I also did test reviews with relay races and nerf guns. There were two teams. The first student from each team would run down to the table, pick up the nerf gun, shot at one of the colors on the target, grab a question out of that color bucket and answer it. If everyone on the team answered every question, each person on the team would get 2 points added to their test grade. They LOVED it and studied really hard for it. Anything from the first day of school was fair game.

[@gibsonedu]

Hey Debbie :) Thanks for sharing. I don't think I would give a pop quiz based on listening skills & attentiveness (unless that's what I was specifically assessing students on). My hope is that my gradebook is an assessment of their mastery of the academic concepts they're learning and that they get feedback on classroom behavior through other means.

[@OneMoreAnimalAndItsAZoo]

@@gibsonedu It worked and I didn't have to do it for long. I had 35 students in a class that held 20. Out of those 35, 28 we're Latin King gang members. Sad part is, they were not the worst part of the school. The administration was the worst. Mr Nix, the principal, got indicted because he was manipulating TAKS test scores sor TSA wouldn't take over the school. Instead of going to jail, he went on to become a superintendent of the Houston ISD. I own a private school now. I will never go back to the cesspool that is public education.

[@gibsonedu]

Sounds like a super challenging environment to teach in for sure.

[@angelao6047]

Children have a right to be educated. Being consistent and firm supports enforcing this right.

[@gibsonedu]

💯!

[@Bminutes]

Huge help, you earned a sub. I got roped into this whole teaching thing after I lost my dream job due to covid and I don’t know how to get these kids to STOP TALKING. Thanks!

[@gibsonedu]

They do love to talk. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any help :)

[@lauriehoffman8535]

I'm a 19 year veteren teacher who has always taught at HS level. This year I'm teaching 7th and 8th grade science. They're a different breed. I'm in my third week. Gonna try some things tomorrow. Thanks!

[@brianareynolds4920]

I am SOOOOO glad I found your video. I will be implementing this tomorrow. It just the second day and it was... a day!!! Pray for me my fellow teachers.

[@gibsonedu]

Briana! Keep reflecting and refining and moving forward! I'm glad the video was helpful. Let me know how things shape up :)

[@deelightful6124]

Same here ! My second day was Today. I am art teacher and the 6th grade home room teacher had to step in and rescue me with this ... how embarrassing. I’m a veteran teacher and usually have no problem but still struggled THIS class, but it’s still early in the early and I got this !!

[@gibsonedu]

@@deelightful6124 One day at a time Dee! Reflect and revise :)

[@ausenciomartinez-olvidares1294]

How did it go?

[@latashasimmons1030]

This is AMAZING. I use healthy peer pressure as well, so effective with middle school!

[@gibsonedu]

Glad to hear it Latasha!

[@MissFit2Teach]

What an awesome way to establish a collective attention and cooperation! There is a theme of consistency that I detect here, and I think SO many teachers can relate to HOW important it is to stay consistent and not allow any slack in the line of rules and procedures. Thank you, and thank you to your class, Class, CLASS! :)

[@gibsonedu]

Consistently is super hard and super important. Every time I found a lot of my management sort of going off the rails I could usually bring it back to letting off on my consistency. Thanks MissFit2Teach :)

[@elizabethwall8063]

I’m considering becoming a full-time teacher as a second career. I started substitute teaching recently, and I’ve been surprised to find how much I love middle school students, but since I haven’t really had any training yet, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what to do when a class won’t listen. I’ll definitely try out these tips. Thank you!!

[@nataliehariri6734]

I liked about your video is that you are telling a real experience that happened with you in the classroom and went into details. This was really helpful, thank you

[@gibsonedu]

Glad it was helpful Natalie!

[@bensebastian42]

As someone who doesnt do well with raising my voice over students, I'm a huge fan of this method but with clapping a rhythm (or stomping, pounding on desks, etc.) When I was student teaching 8th graders and struggling to project my voice over theirs, I worried this would be a bit elementary for them, but I was honestly shocked at how much buy in I got immediately. I like that it gives them an extra second or so to get extra energy and goofiness out (trying to clap the loudest, being super dramatic with it lol)

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah it is surprising how much buy in middle schoolers will give you if YOU'RE bought in :)

[@elizabethwall8063]

Wow, this is good to know. I’ve been substitute teaching in middle school, and I also struggle to talk over them because my voice is naturally not very loud (I’m trying to learn to talk louder). I had thought about trying a clapping rhythm but worried they would think it was too babyish. I’ll have to try it now. That’s the funny thing about middle schoolers that I find so endearing: they’re really just little kids trapped inside oversized bodies!

[@brendabefit2253]

THANK YOU 🙏🏻 for breaking it down. I have been out of the traditional classroom for a few years and I am on the struggle bus….this is exactly what I was looking for

[@gibsonedu]

Let me know how it goes Brenda!

[@coreygalloway9914]

I just started teaching middle school this past Monday. I’m going try this method next week, thank you!

[@gibsonedu]

Let me know how it goes Corey!

[@khtytvandnews4919]

Wow! Thank you! I have taught adults and kids, and I am now homeschooling on top of working from home. What a difference this makes. Thanks again!

[@gibsonedu]

Big difference for sure!

[@fadiabenahmed7319]

I'm watching your class management videos to prepare for my first middle school classroom tomorrow. It's a substitute teacher position in a public school and I've got mostly private school teaching experience. I heard from the middle school faculty that the students were rude and disruptive (which was a terribly scary interview, they made me feel more anxious !) And I also heard that their 2 previous teachers left abruptly... To say I'm stressed and overwhelmed would be an understatement 😬😬

[@lenakohl2339]

How did it go?

[@fadiabenahmed7319]

@@lenakohl2339 thanks for asking! I was way too nervous but managed to hide it, I think... haha Honestly, the students were not as bad bad as I had though they would be, but they definitely need more discipline and their English levels were far from where they should be as 9 graders (I teach ESL to Arabic learners btw) I'm spending 21 days with them so I'm finding it very difficult to not only manage their noise and lack of motivation but also improve their English levels enough to actually start with the program they're meant to have for the year (it's the final middle school exam so they can move to secondary school) It's been super challenging and the administration is terrible but I'm doing my best day by day

[@gibsonedu]

Glad it's going better than anticipated, even though things aren't easy by any means.

[@reneebrady1333]

Just saw your channel today, middle school art teacher here! Where the heck have you been all my life! This will be my second year, last year was complete chaos, I knew no classroom management! Thank you!

[@gibsonedu]

Hey Renee! How has the start of the year gone?

[@reneebrady1333]

@@gibsonedu so far, very good! Except for one class, 38 students! Can’t get them to stop over talking me! It’s becoming a struggle, I emailed admin for advice! Other than that class, it’s been awesome! Any advice on that class would be very much appreciated!

[@mlmj1994]

The intro has me cracking up because I’m literally flashbacking to the familiar classroom mayhem. My homeroom class is kicking my butt this year with their antics. It’s been a learning experience for sure.

[@gibsonedu]

Ha! Glad you could relate to the intro Marissa and I do hope your year is going better.

[@Certified_Art_Teacher]

Sometimes students want to have a negative engagement with the teachers in front of their peers because that gives them a sense of validation. I pull them out into the hallway, away from the students and say what I need to say to them. That does a few different things: 1) It takes them out of that environment which they seek validation and attention. 2) It takes them out of their comfort zone and now they are being held accountable for their actions as an adult would. 3) It gives me a chance to establish rapport with them and they understand that I’m not going to humiliate them in front of their peers. This is a technique that I developed over the past few years of being a teacher.

[@mikelarrieta1]

Has it worked?

[@Certified_Art_Teacher]

@@mikelarrieta1 so far I’ve had a lot of success with it. My conclusions are when students are handled with respect, such as pulling them aside to address behavioral issues, they tend to respect me more. I’ve never had any issues with using this thus far

[@kalilili9309]

This is my first year teaching, and this really helped! I’m hoping to set up solid routines in my classroom to help with behaviors!

[@gibsonedu]

Right on Kalilili! Let me know how those first few days go 👨🏻‍🏫

[@SanDiegoChck02]

I'm a first year teacher and am finding these tips so helpful as I navigate my new class. Its only one period of the day but thank you for these tips! :D Love your videos! They are short and to the point!

[@gibsonedu]

All it takes is that 1 period of the day to throw you completely off course! Glad you enjoyed the video 👍

[@carloswilliams317]

Thanks Thom!! I watched your video and tried it with my high school band that I’m subbing for. It worked!!!! For Three weeks I was challenged with having them play together. I was afraid to even face them today. So I applied your method. And it worked on the second try. The first time, most of them did it but there were some that were not doing it. So I calmly congratulated the ones that was doing it and I said “but there were still some other people that we’re not doing it and we need to do this as a collective hall so let’s try it again.” And by God they all did it.So thank you so much for your tip and I will be doing that for everything that I do and hope that it will work. It was not hard to do by the way. Thanks again!! You are making a difference!!🙏🏾

[@gibsonedu]

That’s so awesome to hear Carlos! Hope the positive momentum continues 😃

[@GymbalLock]

Procedures are great at the beginning of the year, but they always, *always* become less effective during the year. After the second month, my class will still be practicing the beginning of year procedures. We'll walk down the hallway and back five or six times every day. We'll enter the classroom three times every day. We practice the callback signals every day, over and over and over. The more the year goes on, the more we have to keep practicing those procedures, and the more kids simply ignore them. By the last quarter of the year, it's like the first day of school all over again, every day, where we spend most of the time practicing procedures, and I spend an hour contacting parents of nine or ten students who still disrupt the procedures.

[@gibsonedu]

That sounds really challenging and I hope the year gets better.

[@marissamate]

That 6th grade class that is always out of control.. that you can hear down the hall? That's my class. First year teacher and my classroom managenent skills are very poor. Glad I found you.

[@gibsonedu]

I hope the year gets better Marissa.

[@tomreingold4024]

Man, you are good. This is the second video of yours I've watched so far, and now I subscribed. I need to learn more from you.

[@gibsonedu]

Glad you're finding the videos helpful Tom!

[@RayDeLaGarza-d7l]

As a teacher for 23 years in the middle school classroom, I have seen many 1st year teachers leave or change careers after their first rookie year because they can’t handle their classroom responsibilities and management. I tell them to stay the course and learn from their mistakes and it will improve with time. It seems to be a never ending cycle.

[@kaytlinevans2731]

Thank you for this! I like to "sing" a lot and make silly sounds to get my 6th graders' attention, and I've noticed it works, but I do need to continue and persevere until I get that 100% participation. This winter break reset is going to be amazing.

[@gibsonedu]

Hope your winter break was restful Kaytlin!

[@stevethecat9194]

I'm a high school physics teacher with a lot of years in. In the after math of being virtual for a year my normal 10th graders were at, at best, an 8th grade level. Needless to say I struggled a lot more than I would have liked (or would like to admit). I realize I need to up my game. While this year's classes were no where near the 6th grade class you took over I did struggle with pencil sharpening nonsense with a handful of kids. I generally can get their attention pretty well, but I honestly think the class class class procedure is pretty funny and worth trying. I also appreciate your comments about the mistakes teachers make in giving up ormoving on too soon

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah these last few years have sort of thrown a wrench in a lot of classroom management strategies. Let me know how it app goes with with your students!

[@georgegrant6796]

Use pattern interrupt. Learn how to possess them psychologically, in a benign way. Don't ever resort to "clever tricks" to distract or pacify them, they will read it well and whip you for being weak. Any position when you ask them to do or be something or try to distract them by some sort of entertaining tricks, is a defeatist position. Be a f***n boss in your class. It's like being in a prison. You're either a leader or a "prison lady". Demand respect for respect. Walk up to the noisy ones and look them in the eye and speak with them in a masculine way, but without any hint of violence, anger or hatred. Use praise when necessary (when they deserve it) and strict words and warnings when necessary. There is no third way - either you will command them or they will command you. Trust me, I am talking from real experience and know what I am talking about. Most unruly ones have been gradually (or even immediately) getting quiet and complying. Because they know I won't take any shit from them and I command respect. With that, I can also be (and many times am) jovial and bring some fun and jokes along, to lighten up if they are too rigid or reserved.

[@georgegrant6796]

@@gibsonedu it works very well! I'm having a setup when we all are in the same boat and begin feeling like one team and respect each other. With that, one has to give them very effective and interesting teaching strategies, when they feel they are really learning something. We need to improvise and create our own lesson plans, as many textbooks are getting outdated and ineffective. Also it's very important to keep the right rhythm of the lesson. It's like being an experienced conductor of the symphonic orchestra. You got to be everywhere and see everything at the same time, waving your magic wand of management. Then jot down whatever you believe needs attention at the next lesson, to navigate your class effectively. Textbooks offer a lot of rubbish unnecessary stuff, either too simplified or too overcomplicated. We need to give them exactly what they need at present moment, can't waste time. Let them feel that learning language is a serious thing and that you're really giving them some great value in your lessons.

[@CocoChanelle-1]

Creating an element of competition works too. Giving a snack for Completed work makes some want to compete to be the first or not wanting to feel left out. Also it brings light to them that they are Missing Out on fun.

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah that can be tricky with middle schoolers; if they do feel they’re missing out, they may just try to act like they don’t care by calling everything dumb.

[@CocoChanelle-1]

@@gibsonedu sure but they will be surrounded by happy face to prove it’s not.

[@Mindfulness298]

oh yes, it can be physically exhausting ... on the other hand, it is the most rewarding job I can think of & I truly love it :)

[@gibsonedu]

It's a rewarding job 👍

[@JohnPatterson-nl2fb]

My class was the class down the hall. I am a substitute and I wish that I had learned more about the hall way meeting. What a great idea to ask them what the problem was. Also, not making the response personal. Excellent tips!

[@gibsonedu]

Glad to hear it was helpful John 👍🏼

[@annakimes37]

What a great refresher, along with new strategies! TY! Love to hear about classroom jobs, etc. and the hallway reflection sheet for students....

[@gibsonedu]

Glad to hear it Anna!

[@TommyTwentytone]

Thank you so much for this! This topic is my only great concern about becoming a teacher. I will definitely be watching this a few more times in the future, checking out your other videos, and subscribing.

[@gibsonedu]

Glad it was helpful!

[@northshorelight35]

After 1 1/2 years of teaching middle school, I finally mastered classroom management while engaging the students. However, I left the teaching profession after 5 years due to personal transition. I really surprised myself on becoming a beloved teacher and a great teacher, too. Why? Because I wasn't a teacher at all. I fell into the role after the teacher for that curriculum quit.

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah sometimes you reach a point where it's time to move onto something else.

[@ryanblackmore8033]

I did class class class/yes yes yes today with my two groups for humanities. I was positive, happy, etc. It wasn't perfect. But my one group really nailed it. I struggled with my other group. After 15 minutes, I did ask the three fully defiant students to leave the room. I am sure I showed some frustration but I did my very best. I used the "we're still waiting for three students" vocab throughout the whole day, though. Whoa. What a change. I still caught myself singling some kids out during the day, but ... it was a very interesting change. I wish I could have said I did the whole thing. I didn't call those students out during the call-and-response. I kept it light, once we have 100% full commitment. I stopped. But we will keep doing it, and I felt more "myself" being ridiculous and silly. I will practice again tomorrow. Rehearse rehearse rehearse. =)

[@gibsonedu]

Ryan, I'm so glad to hear this was helpful! It sounds like you really took notes on the video and implemented it well! How did it go on the days that followed? I know sometimes we try new things and they can work for a little bit but then the challenging behaviors return.

[@stevethecat9194]

@@gibsonedu I'm so stealing this strategy. Love the nuances, pitfalls, tips, and tricks you describe.

[@gibsonedu]

@@stevethecat9194 Let me know how it goes Steve!

[@georgegrant6796]

Guys, please.....don't ever put yourself in a position when you ask students to do be good or try to trick them into compliance by these funny "strategies". Even this "class-class-class!" comes from the position of weakness and they can read it very well, even if they play along initially. Kids are unforgiving to any weakness. Once you set your mind on trying to win their sympathy (weak position!) or resort to some clever tricks to distract them (as you think) from being unruly, you are in a defeatist position and they will sooner or later whip you for that and rightly so. You need to be a tough cookie. Speak straight to them but not in a threatening manner. Walk up close to the defiant ones and speak to them face to face. Don't yell, don't threat. Just speak with a full voice and confidently. Choose what you want to say based on the moment and the situation, but the underlying principle is the same.(EDIT: This "Class-Class!" may work with very young ones, as they are still little children and are more innocent and more respectful (not defiant) of the teacher than older students, whom you must manage as described in my notes above).

[@xxsmilesxxback12]

@@georgegrant6796 what grade do you teach??

[@okaminess]

That is true about rehearsing classroom management procedures with the class if you've just been assigned as the long term sub. I learned that real teachers do that too. lol! Spend the first days learning procedures, expectations, syllabus review, etc. I spent 3 years teaching middle school English myself with some months spent as a substitute before the teaching job.

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah it's an effective strategy for subs and full-time teachers alike.

[@hulamei3117]

I'll definitely try your practice! 100% full participation! No derogatory comments😮

[@gibsonedu]

Let me know how it goes!

[@Hampshire35]

Thank you. I’ve finally figured out what I’ve been getting wrong. You’re a diamond.

[@gibsonedu]

Happy the video was helpful!

[@gaminglindis66]

I’m going into a PGCE course very soon and I found this video! Thank you for your useful tips!

[@gibsonedu]

Sure thing!

[@camerinfeagins5762]

These videos are so unbelievably helpful! Thank you for posting them!!

[@gibsonedu]

Hey glad you’re finding them helpful Camerin!

[@suhayfasheik2594]

Thank you for this , I'm first year teaching I've been going crazy and I will implement this asap

[@gibsonedu]

Hey Suhayfa, I hope the strategies helped out a little bit!

[@Joefrenomics]

Holy s**t! That beginning was so on point. New teacher here.

[@gibsonedu]

Ha! I'm glad you feel seen 👍🏼

[@blessed411]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to Try this tomorrow after 3 snow days, a holiday, and president in town that caused an early dismissal. ❤

[@gibsonedu]

How did it go?

[@Amanda-jk3we]

I literally laughed out loud and spewed aerosolized saliva when you said hope that the student doesn't show up tomorrow. 🤣

[@gibsonedu]

😆 Glad you could relate!

[@MS-di1rw]

Thanks - I find a lot of behaviour advice is catered to primary school students (years 1 to 7) yet not enough for years 8 to 10.

[@gibsonedu]

Glad you found it helpful MS!

[@GymbalLock]

4:20 practicing procedures can backfire if the students make a game of it. If one or two kids make noise just so we can repeat, then they have control of the situation. They get to exercise that control as we practice over and over. I've had to practice walking into a classroom for thirty solid minutes. The disruptive kids had a ball by proving their power, and the obedient kids got frustrated with me for making them practice along with them. An endless cycle is created. Quit, and the kids realize they've "won". Continue, and the kids know they're "winning". At the end, they get to avoid whatever assignment was created, and the teacher is the villain. The kids are the "plucky heroes who confound the teacher with their clever thinking" .

[@gibsonedu]

For sure. Teacher has to come in confident with this. If there's a sense of fear or worry that it won't work, the kids will smell it out. In a situation like what you described where the peer pressure wasn't helping, I'd likely have the kids who were following directions stop and work on something else while those who weren't following directions continued to practice.

[@darlenedeanglis8093]

rules need to be in place and there should be clear rules so children know exactly what is that your expectation in always make sure whatever you put in place stick to it

[@gibsonedu]

For sure. I've heard it said 'clear is kind.' If your expectations are unclear, students get frustrated.

[@darlenedeanglis8093]

@@gibsonedu well said

[@ooof682]

This makes sense! What would you do if during the practice the majority of students didn't respond at all/ talked over you? I find that students fall silent when they see me waiting but a few of them start talking as soon as I start speaking which means I have to keep stopping and I dont know how to deal with it

[@gibsonedu]

I found a lot of it is in body language and confidence. If you have any sense of fear that they won't listen (shown in your face, posture, if your arms are folded, etc) students pick up on that and will go with it. If they kept talking, I'd try a more hard reset; "let's go ahead and start today all over again. Everyone grab your bags and we're going to come back in the classroom. The expectation is that there isn't any talking when you come in, you'll take your assigned seat, look to the board to see what you need to have out, and begin working until we come together as a group. If there's any talking, we will restart" and stick to it. Whenever anyone starts talking in the process, just say "Ok, we do have some talking so let's try it again, we will be finished once we do it perfectly." Don't get frustrated as you have them do it over again. I hope that helps! Let me know how it goes.

[@gibsonedu]

Also, I do have another video on what to do when kids won't stop talking which may be helpful :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZXUaJdqi8udm9U&ab_channel=ThomGibson

[@ooof682]

@@gibsonedu thank you! I will give it a go. I think as a trainee teacher I was afraid of doing these things as I was afraid it'd seem like I'm "wasting time" and my mentor never gave me this advice

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah that’s a common fear of spending so much time on rehearsing procedures, but the time you makeup in the long run from a class that isn’t constantly off-task more than makes up for it. Let me know how it goes!

[@Scatpatoulouful]

I am banging my head against the wall realizing the mistakes I made this year. Live and learn.

[@gibsonedu]

Only way I could even share these was bc of the years of mistakes I had made myself!

[@MildredBonkers]

I'm picturing doing this with my 7th grade class and the image has me doing it for the entire hour I'm with them.

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah it may work with some students and not others.

[@stephaniemcguire1197]

I start my first class in two weeks. I plan on using this! Thank you! I am scared!

[@gibsonedu]

Ha! You're not alone Stephanie. I remember having to sit in my car and take big deep breaths before school for my first few YEARS of teaching, worried about how the day would go. It does get better when you're continually reflecting and adapting.

[@blinksstayfresh2524]

Teachers are the real frontline workers. I can’t possibly do this job because of my anger. If a kid acts up I would lose my mind

[@LadyJpraise2024unbound]

Middle School is the most challenging school age group. It is teena with elementary behaviors

[@gibsonedu]

Pretty good assessment.

[@Magical-Unicorn-Poo]

The class-yes is part of Whole Brain Teaching… powerful method. You need to use that in conjunction with the score board!

[@gibsonedu]

I DEVOURED the Whole Brain Teaching KZbin videos the weekend before the long-term subbing role I talk about in this video 👍🏼 I never did the scoreboard though. Didn't jive with what I was reading about fostering intrinsic motivation in students.

[@Tjcp292]

I Get/You Get - Works well. If the kids win they get 15 minutes of iPad fun on Fridays :)

[@marianocrespo9011]

Amigo, esto me re sirvió para mí clase. Gracias, me salvaste la vida, Ton.

[@gibsonedu]

Que bueno para oír eso!

[@northshorelight35]

Just use the 3 strikes rule. Works like a charm every time.

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah that can be effective 👍

[@michaelc7876]

As a middle school teacher in a Title 1 school in the bad part of town, my biggest classroom management challenge are when students constantly say, "I'm not the only one doing that'... How do you answer that?

[@gibsonedu]

Hey Michael. To avoid that, I generally don't call students out by name. I may say something like 'I'm still waiting on 3 people to get their papers out.' Or "I'm still waiting on 2 people to stop talking." Or even, "if you're still talking, please stop." Calling names out publicly can often lead to a power struggle.

[@lindseycambre5027]

@@gibsonedu okay, but what if the students continue to point fingers saying "It's not me, it's little Jimmy!"

[@taiwokalejaiye3011]

Students just look bored . I can tell from their outlook they're uninterested in learning English. In a country where English isn't the first language, I find it hard to communicate with them and some just decide to talk during the class🥺. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the problem or maybe I should make it more interesting but I really don't know how. 😐😐So here I am hoping to get something good out of this video to help manage a group of teens😆

[@gibsonedu]

Teaching is a very challenging profession Taiwo so I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. Keep learning and trying to get just a little bit better each day.

[@DreamlandHollywood]

57 seconds in and my body was hot listening to the scenario. omg! ROFL that is exactly what my mind goes through! AHHH!!!

[@gibsonedu]

Ha! Yeah pretty sure we've all been there at some point!

[@unr4v3ls2r1es]

Dude your videos are super helpful. Greetings from the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@gibsonedu]

Glad to hear that you find them helpful Arvel!

[@danymangrove5333]

I hope the people watching this know that this is advice for a somewhat in-control classroom, otherwise, they would not even a little bit respond to this. In real life, in an actual out-of-control classroom, I find the alpha kid, easy to do, regardless of their behavior, befriend him/her and ask them politely to see if they can get everyone quiet. If they seem like they don't want to, I pull the, "The other teachers told me they listen to you," and that usually gets them. Once the kids are quiet, I thank the student who helped me out, and I tell them all they have an opportunity to get an easy 100. All they have to do is be quiet for 10 minutes during the next assignment, I'll give them a 100 for a listening grade. (It can be made up or real, depending on what you have time for ) The kids that don't listen, I don't pay any mind, I just keep scribbling on my clipboard and keep deducting "points" for them, I do it ver exaggeratively, and the other kids will usually get stoked the good ones are rewarded and the ones who need a reality check get it, they are watching me do it. Once the classroom starts to shift slowly toward the kids who want their daily listening grade, the control starts to strengthen more towards the teacher, and THEN you can start to do stuff like this. If they aren't motivated by academics, then you have to find something else. Phones are big, if they get their phone at the end of the day, the kids who decided to be the main character will be getting theirs last. You can't play with middle school. You have to remain the one who has some kind of power, otherwise, you are compromising the safety of children, an out-of-control classroom is an unsafe classroom.

[@gibsonedu]

Thanks for sharing your perspective Danny 👍

[@MildredBonkers]

I teach in the hood. Tried this today and we did it for hand to god 20 minutes before I gave up.

[@pagliacci2942]

This would definitely work with some of my classes. However, I realize the problem runs deeper than the classroom. In the country I teach, play-fighting and running in the corridor is quite normal. Teachers rarely tell students to stop. I often have to walk out the way to avoid being pushed over by incoming elementary kids. I suggested "Walk. Don't Run" signs to management, and nothing happened. I am really trying to get better listening in my classes, but with this kind of culture and a lack of support from administration, making the difference in some classes seems unattainable. The only power I have is telling a student that the grade manager and their parents will be contacted. I cannot speak directly to most parents because of a language barrier and I believe this puts me, as the teacher, in weak standing. My reward system helps some, but can breed negative competition. The general concept of not talking when someone else is talking is new to many, and most of the adults have a very "shouty" communication style themselves. Some days I feel pushed to my wits end and frustrated. I am the only Western teacher at my school.

[@gibsonedu]

Oof, that sounds super challenging. I'm sorry to hear that.

[@mrnobody4125]

I started doing substitute teaching last week. Tomorrow I'm being brought in to go from class to class in the junior high, swapping out for various teachers teaching subjects I've never seen with kids I've never met. I have no formal training in teaching, and only my three and a half days subbing sixth grade to lean on. I'll be observed by the principal. It's for a provisional teaching position (sort of a permanent substitute). Naturally I'm a bit nervous. I'm not a naturally authoritative person. I'm not administratively gifted. I've got this far because I'm unusually good with kids and unusually smart, and I ran a business employing high schoolers for the last decade. But I don't know yet if I have what it takes to run a classroom, long term.

[@gibsonedu]

Hey Mr Nobody. How did things go with your classroom swap? Substitute teaching can be SO defeating some days. Keep learning and reflecting on what's working and what's not. I recommend 'The Classroom Management Book' by Harry Wong as well.

[@mrnobody4125]

@@gibsonedu I used some of the tips I got here on KZbin and was able to grab control of the classes right from the first few minutes, won those first key battles, and then everything actually went really well and it was all pretty easy and productive. The principal was very happy and asked me to come back as much as possible. I'm going to spend some time looking at the recommended literature. The school I'm at has the kids trained really well, but finding out how to translate my style and personality into proper control is something I'll need to refine a bit more. Just hearing someone talk through those moments and struggles and demonstrate options for how to handle them was very useful to me.

[@gibsonedu]

That is really awesome to hear!

[@mrnobody4125]

@@gibsonedu I still have a lot of imposter syndrome. How to get over that might be a subject worth exploring for subs and new teachers.

[@elinbird00]

My math teacher needs to see this

[@gibsonedu]

Sorry to hear that :/ Hope the end of the year isn't too bad.

[@chrischongreflections]

Hey Thom thanks so much for this video!

[@gibsonedu]

My pleasure Chris. Happy New Year!

[@jlwdeuce8536]

Thanks! Solid help

[@renubanjade3988]

Thank you for your informative insight !

[@gibsonedu]

Sure thing!

[@tomschultz6370]

What do you do when students see consequences as "me disrespecting them"? I can't tell if it's an authentic perception or if it's a bad faith attempt to manipulate or gaslight me? If not, how can I change their perception? As far as I can tell, I was clear and specific with expectations and consequences from day one. Each time we try to have a conversation I get interrupted and disrespected even more, so before we can address the original disrespect, there's already more on top of it.

[@gibsonedu]

That's super hard for sure Tom and classroom management can be such a nuanced thing. The disrespect can be very challenging to deal with. I recommend checking out a book by a teacher named CJ Reynolds called Teach Your Class Off as he speaks to this a bit in there and about creating a more positive classroom culture.

[@sjtoon1181]

I have just started substitute teaching in the middle school (I have been totally in the high school setting). I hate middle school because these students will not be quiet! Am I expecting too much? Who should I discuss this with? I need silence when doing roll call because I get an affirmative answer from 3 sides of the room so I have to stop and ask again if that student is there and where, then ask that only the student answer. It is driving me crazy. Then I have 3 8th graders who talk laugh and pay no attention to my request, then commands to be silent. I finally made them bring their chairs up to beside my desk and made them space them out. I told them to be silent and I would let them move when I finished roll call. The ring leader of the 3 started yelling I gotta pee! Miss whoever you are. Can I go pee? And kept this up for at least 15 minutes. While I said not now. He finally got up and left class. I went to the hall and luckily another teacher was coming out her door when I asked her to call the office and she ran to the office for help. The principal came up with the one boy and pushed him into his seat and took the other2 out one at a time and talked to them and when all three came back they were fine. However all classes were chatty Chathies! I can’t handle them. Classes taught by other teachers are ok. These I had so much trouble with were taught by one teacher. I don’t know if they listen to her or what but I don’t know what to do.

[@gibsonedu]

Hey SJ. That sounds like a challenging situation for sure and there's not single tip or strategy I can give in a KZbin comment that'll change everything. I would say a good place to start is to think through how you can include more opportunities for students to talk to each other about the lesson. I often used 'think-pair-share' where I'd ask a question, students would formulate their thoughts for a moment, then have a moment where they talked to their neighbor about what they thought, then we came back whole group. It gives them the opportunity to talk but about things related to the content you're trying to teach.

[@FloresOrtodoxas]

Man i can't believe we have to go through all this mental gymnastics just because some kids have not been taught how to listen to adults. 😂 Great advice I'm going ro have to do it. Because my classes were WILD yesterday .

[@gibsonedu]

Hope things get better for you Flores.

[@jesslukyluk]

Thanks for this video! How would you go about if you have students in your class that do not talk and refuse to talk? (Due to social anxiety or issues, autism etc?)

[@gibsonedu]

Hey Jessica. In the past I would connect with students before I planned on asking them a question. I'd say something like 'I really like what you wrote here; would you be OK to share it when we come together as a whole group?" A lot less anxiety about looking dumb since you've validated their idea already.

[@jesslukyluk]

@@gibsonedu yes I agree! I just meant with the call for attention. Would you allow that student(s) a pass if they do not respond to your verbal call for attention?

[@gibsonedu]

@@jesslukyluk I try not to. I'm very mindful of which questions I ask which students and we work to build a culture of openness around mistakes. Even how I phrase the question is important. Instead of asking 'whats the answer for this problem' I say 'how did you approach this problem...and no problem if you're a little unsure, we can work through it together and share ideas.' Students with autism may be a little more challenging so that's when I would work to speak to them beforehand before asking them to share publically.

[@jesslukyluk]

@@gibsonedu Yes! Love that approach. Sorry but I mean as in your video when you are trying to get your whole class attention when you were like 'class class class!' and they say 'yes yes yes!' Since you need 100% attention/response before moving into the next task I was just wary that there may be students who do not respond is all. Would you move on? I understand it's hard to answer since you don't know my students but definitely have a few who would outright not respond and deathstare me down!

[@gibsonedu]

@@jesslukyluk Ah I understand! Well, if I had a student with autism that wasn't participating in the class call-and-response I may not say I need 100% participation because those students generally don't respond in the same way to peer pressure. I would probably say something like 'I think we can get a little more participation from more people' or something like that.

[@jaxonhogan9916]

Great video! Do you still use the ‘class, class, class’ in your teaching practice?

[@gibsonedu]

Thanks Jaxon! I don't use class class class anymore but instead have a clapping call & response when in larger groups. I've moved to a more 'may I have your attention please' model and waiting for students to respond but 'class class class' was really helpful to me in developing my classroom management!

[@kathyw382]

Do you think this can work when the school year already started? I’m a new teacher but struggling in classroom management. I teach 5th/6th grade math and the 6th graders are obnoxious. The more I try hard to get them to cooperate the worse it seems to get.

[@gibsonedu]

Sorry to hear that Kathy. Classroom management can just be so hard. Yes, you can turn things around after school has started, but it is harder. When you create a new plan though, you have to follow through with whatever the new plan is. Students will challenge you on things and if you don't follow through, nothing will change. It's hard.

[@gta4224]

I feel like one of my biggest issues is redirecting student behavior, right now im feeling a tad lost.

[@blessedlife6771]

What if the expectations are set at the beginning of the year. But students don’t push through….it’s so frustrating.

[@SalvadorOlagueOfficial]

Thank you for this

[@JoseHernandez-ez8go]

Great info appreciate the knowledge.

[@gibsonedu]

Sure thing. Thanks Jose!

[@margot3461]

Very helpful, thank you!!

[@gibsonedu]

Glad to hear it Shelby!

[@d.d.7910]

Excellent tips!!!!

[@gibsonedu]

Thanks D.D.!

[@郑桂珠-s2d]

well, in some classes the students just dont want to learn anything. They just want to kill the time in the class. They wiuld be happy if we do this class class class, yes yes yes during the whole class😅😅😅

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah that can be challenging for sure.

[@JGS684]

The Wong's assume there might be a consequence for bad behavior. In some schools, PBIS and Restorative practices are misunderstood so that there are effectively no consequences for any bad behavior even cursing at teachers or bold, in-your-face defiance.

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah, it can be hard without support from admin.

[@copypaste3526]

I did some workshops in middle schools as an artist. There is always on or two groups that dont quiet want to be there. And they dont give much feedback. Also I do not have the time to deal woth it. Its so frustrating and distracting to support the other interested students. Wish school was interest based. So nobody would need to show up who is not interested.

[@gibsonedu]

Yeah it can be a challenge for sure. I always tried to think of how I could make my class a place as many students as possible looked forward to coming it. It never fully happened but always helped me continue to grow and get better.

[@davegray7206]

I have that book, The Classroom Management Book, by Harry and Rosemary Wong, and it's really good. Used it in my grad school education class. Having your own copy wouldn't be a bad idea. No, I don't get a royalty.

[@gibsonedu]

No royalties? Gotta get on that Amazon Affiliate game!

[@teslachilders8263]

Hey new teacher this year. I am struggling with classroom management and I am trying to be more firm because I have two classes that go off the rails very easily. Is it too late to try standing firm on procedures at this point in the year?

[@tammy2830]

This is great, but when the SRO at the school says, "These kids are out of control" when observing the entire 8th grade in the cafeteria, it isn't just classroom management. Also, have you done any research on difficult children's level of cooperation at this age with men versus women?

[@gibsonedu]

Haven't done any research on that. Sometimes school culture can make your individual classroom culture all that more challenging. But we can only focus on what we can control and that's typically our own little classrooms.

[@penguin6700]

Watching videos on classroom management after 2 weeks' of classroom management problems and feeling like I ought to resign.

[@gibsonedu]

Classroom management can be a grind for sure Sara. Sorry the last few weeks have been so rough :(

[@penguin6700]

@@gibsonedu What a surprise I had when I woke up for work and saw your reply! After watching a few classroom management videos, I tried to rehearse and reinforce today. I tried to be calmer and less angry looking. There's an improvement today. Hope lessons will continue to be fine. And thank you for somehow uplifting me. 😀

[@Maranatha621]

What about if the school behaviour policy asks not to send any students to the corridor as they hang around and create chaos with other students also sent out from other classrooms. ?

[@deedeealderson3906]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

[@gibsonedu]

You're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome Dee Dee :)

[@MehakSyeda-fo2el]

How many days did it takes to you to rehearse them? What will you do if you could not get 100% on first day?

[@gibsonedu]

I honestly just rehearsed for almost 40 minutes; thankfully they all eventually did the routine. But if they hadn't, I would have calmly thanked them for practicing today and we'll continue to work to dial it in tomorrow.

[@denniskoppo4259]

Problem with being a Sub is that I'm missing the two important tools for influencing behavior. I'm not the one grading them so I can't reward good behavior and I can't issue detentions so I can't discourage bad behavior. School administration (the deans) are not supportive to me and the kids don't fear them.

[@gibsonedu]

Subbing can be a grind for sure.

[@Mouni-j92]

Thank you 😊😊😊🙏🙏

[@MathintheMiddle-ru2sf]

This is great! When are you writing a book?

[@gibsonedu]

Not sure!

[@palomarosales7953]

you are an angel. Thank you

[@gibsonedu]

My pleasure Paloma. Happy teaching!