Dealing with a Disruptive Student

Positive consequences and redirection work better than negative consequences and redirection. A method like several points for each day a pencil isn't purposely dropped and the student uses a normal indoor voice will most likely work. The method does depend on the grade level and age of the student too. I've never seen a high school student purposely drop pencils but they do things to annoy the teacher and act out. For older students, free homework passes and extra credit might work best. For younger students, food and small prizes like stickers and pencils might work well. It would be less effective if more than one student was misbehaving since students misbehave for different reasons and respond to different things. My style would be have a behavorial contract with students which would give the student a small reward for every day he or she behaves and slowly take the rewards away. As for redirection, I would model appropriate behavior for the student and have other students int he class do the same thing. I've heard students argue that students shouldn't be rewarded for acting out (ie getting to have time on a computer) and I do agree with them. However, don't we get rewards for behaving as adults? We get rewarded with paychecks, raises, and promotions for being good employees, and we get rewards from insurance companies for being good drivers - or at least we don't get our premiums raised which is a positive reward in itself.

Christina