My Classroom Management » Body Language

The Use of Hands in Classroom Management

jenniferw — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:51:17 +0000

A teacher’s hands are a huge extension of their emotions and can play a large part in classroom management. Oft times excess energy can flow through the hands and create an additional problem while controlling the hands can keep situations calmer. For example:

When a student misbehaves, a teacher who uses her hands to display her frustration (open hands thrown up in frustration or finger pointing to the student or to the place the student should be with large arm movement as well) is emphasizing her point with non-verbal cues. What she is saying is:

I’m so frustrated right now!

Why can’t you follow the rule?!

Would you just do as you are told!!!

In response, the teachers voice often raises, along with her blood pressure, stress level and not too surprising, the student’s response is negative as well.

In contrast, when a student misbehaves, if a teacher were to just control her hands, a lot would change in the exchange. Instead of throwing her hands in emphasis, the teacher clasps her hands together in a calming and controlled manner. Now her stress has an outlet, she can relax her shoulders and keeping her voice quiet direct the student to the appropriate task.

By controlling the hands, the teacher is able to control the tone of voice, the attitude and in turn the student will often respond more respectfully, and the situation diffuses quicker.

Sarcasm in the Classroom

jenniferw — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:42:05 +0000

One of the most important things for teachers to realize when speaking to children, and especially when correcting students for behavior, is to watch their tone of voice. When a teacher sounds sincere, students are more likely to trust them and the more trust a student has for a teacher, the more respectful the student will act in class.

Sarcasm is the most destructive tone of voice a teacher can use with students. Sarcasm requires a more advanced understanding of language and students do not comprehend the “joke” behind a sarcastic comment. The tone of voice used with sarcastic comments is cruel and confusing to students.

While some students might be able to understand and respond well to sarcasm, this is the exception, not the norm. When responding to a student who is misbehaving, teachers need to make sure they use a sincere tone of voice and avoid sarcasm.

Watch Where You are Going

jenniferw — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:23:27 +0000

When managing a classroom of students, it is important to watch where you are going. If you correct a student, but you are looking ahead to the next thing, the student will realize your full attention is not devoted to the correction. This will often result in an ineffective correction.

Additionally, keeping your eyes open and watching what is going on – being actively involved in every moment in the classroom – will help prevent discipline problems. Proactive classroom management is the best way to prevent frustration and keep students on task.

Next time you discipline a student, pay attention to what you are doing, and notice where you attention (and your eyes) are focused.

The Importance of Body Language

jenniferw — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:38:58 +0000

Over the next few days we will discuss the various aspects of body language that play such an important role in classroom management. Today, I want to focus on being aware of body language and how this plays an important role in the classroom.

So often what a teacher does is less important than how that teacher did it. This is clearly explained by use of tone of voice. For example:

“I’m sorry”

This phrase can mean a multitude of things depending on how it is said and the body language that accompanies the words.

1. Look of concern on face, head slightly bowed, leaning slightly towards person, looking directly at them or slightly down. This body language says you are truly sorry.

2. Quickly said, looking around the room, body straight up, head up or tilted away from the person. This body language says you don’t care.

3. Frustrated look on face, side to side movement of head, furrowed brow, words clipped and sarcastic. This says you are NOT sorry.

Take time to pay attention to your body language as you deal with even the mundane tasks in the classroom. Finding out what you are really saying to your students with your body may surprise you, and may give you insight into why students are misbehaving.