Simone Hancox, Drama Teacher
- Be there (in the room) first.
- Be in control of the space: have it set up before pupils enter.
- Create a short ‘starter’ activity, like a warm-up to get them engaged.
- Pay attention to the small rules. Bags/books neatly away. Sit how and where specified. No chewing/sweets. Focus on the small things to help the bigger behavioural issues sort themselves.
- Try to get pupils to speak/participate/sit boy-girl-boy-girl (!)
- Don’t speak until everyone has gone quiet and is listening to you. Just wait.
- Model good responses.
- Spotlight good work.
- Praise, praise, praise the good.
- Politely but firmly talk to low-level disruptors away from peers.
- If low-level disruption persists, give an ‘either/or’ statement (either you stop or…[find suitable punishment).
- Low-level disruption persists further, politely request that pupil removes themselves from classroom and stands outside.
The responses to Simone’s instructions are below:
How to... 