Managing misbehaviour in the classroom

Abstract

Aims The study aims to find the causes of misbehaviour and coping strategies that the teachers use to cater for this misbehaviour in order to minimise it and continue with the planned lesson. Sample The sample comprised 304 pupils. (145 boys and 159 girls), aged 10 and 11 and twelve teachers in a state primary school. Method The author employed a mixed methodological approach consisting of participant obscrvations. questionnaires and interviews. Results While stating that the causes of misbehaviour are diverse and many, the study identified several distinct reasons for misbehaving in class, being: low general ability, adverse home circumstances, attention-seeking, creating excitement, malicious teasing, avoidance of work, boredom, anti-school attitude and emotional problems. As regards coping strategies, these are as diverse as the misbehaviours that they cater for. Throughout the study seventeen different coping strategies were discussed. Some of these strategies are: creating positive and supporting classroom environments characterized by effective teaching skills, identifying and stopping the origin of the misbehaviour, applying time-out procedures, showing relaxing behaviour in front of teasing pupils, using humour, using fear-guilt and embarrassment to prevent the recurrence of behaviour, adopting a boy-girl seating arrangement, using a Best Behaviour Star Chart, being severe according to the misbehaviour and consistent through Classwork Management Strategies, by ignoring unwanted behaviour, giving rewards, doing contracts with pupils, teaching-pupils how to control themselves, reasoning with pupils, developing self-control and implementing a Behaviour Modification Plan. Conclusions The study suggests some modifications that could be made to the Code for Behaviour and Discipline in state primary schools. The author also suggests a behaviour rnodilication plan designed for a state primary school and a draft of the school rules for the school is also provided apart from several other suggestions.