How do you deal with an out of control student?

I've been teaching kindergarten in an inner city school for a few years, and every year I know I'll inevitably have 2-3 students like this. It's definitely gotten better with each year as I gain more experience in how to manage these kids that will need more redirection. So, don't worry, this is something that you will get better at with time.

What I've found worked this year was just starting from day 1 with really being consistent with my class and school rules for the child. If it's a severe offense according to the school behavior plan, I will write up the referral and send them to office because it should be going in their file and on record that these instances are occurring. But, if it's not severe there will be my class consequence (which is usually getting your name on the sad face or a buddy timeout).

So, let's say Johnny decides to punch another student just because. Here's what I do:

  1. Sorry kiddo but the rule is to keep your hands to yourself, you deciding to go up and punch another kid for no reason means that you're deciding to make this an unsafe place.

  2. You're a good kid, you're just not making wise choices. So, I'm going to have to go through with the consequence and you need to realize why you're getting this. Serve the consequence and you're more than welcome to come back and we'll start over new :)

Of course this doesn't always go as planned, sometimes Johnny could be having a bad day and he will refuse to leave or serve the consequence. But, just being consistent with the behavior plan every time something occurs has really helped. Every time he messes up he knows my response, and slowly he starts to self-monitor. I have to be a little hyper vigilant, really keeping Johnny accountable on all rules, not letting him slide. But, it's resulted in mostly calm days with a few bad ones sprinkled in, instead of bad days becoming worse days.

Hope that helps!

/r/Teachers Thread