Case Study - Pushing in Line

Introduction

The case study approach of this module has been designed to create an awareness of the general classroom behavioral problems that may be encountered on a day to day basis. The examples here are generalised and may be applied to situations other than the ones given here.

Description of the problem

Mr Thompson instructs his class to line up before entering the class. Several students race to be first in line. One student gets pushed into another, a student gets knocked over in the commotion and several students are upset about being pushed and shoved, Mr Thompson tells the misbehaving students to try and get into line again. While Mr Thompson is talking, two other students start to cut into the line. Other students begin yelling at them, so Mr Thompson asks who was cutting in line. The next minute is spent trying to sort out the accusations and denials. When everyone is in line and is somewhat quiet, Mr Thompson lectures the students for their bad behavior. He then lets the class into the room.

Causes

The major cause for bad behavior. during lineup is the attention the students receive from the teacher for misbehaving. Generally, the only students who receive attention during lineup are the students who misbehave. The teacher is too busy dealing with misbehavior to attend to good behavior.

In addition to the attention, students may misbehave because they have never been held accountable for their misbehavior during lineup. The students who try to be first in line do so because there is no reason to line up courteously. Getting to be the first one in the classroom may be more reinforcing than having one's mature and polite behavior. go unacknowledged. Students have to be taught how to line up.

Goal

Students will line up quickly, quietly, and politely without reminders and admonishments from the teacher.

The Plan

Step 1:
Ignore students who are misbehaving. Do not remind or lecture students who are misbehaving. Whenever any misbehavior occurs (in the case of lining up to exit the class), calmly send all of the students back to their seats. Do not call attention to the individuals who misbehaved. Simply tell the students what the problem was. You might say something like the following:

• 'Class, I am sorry. Some people were running. Everyone, please go back to your desks. We will have to try it again.' Wait until everyone is in their seat and quiet. When it is completely quiet, say 'Okay class, Let's try it again.' If there is any more misbehavior, send the students back to their seats again.

In the case of lining up in the hallway to enter the class you might say something like this "Class I am sorry. Some people were running and pushing into line. We will have to try it again.' You may also let them into the classroom, then inform them that their behavior. in lining up was not acceptable, and that they will have to go back out into the hallway and line up again.

Remember to carry out this procedure calmly. If you are calm, students learn that it is their responsibility to behave. If you are angry or frustrated, students perceive that you are trying to make them behave. This implies that you are responsible for the student's behavior.

Initially this may make the class late for lunch, recess, another subject or late to commence your lesson. But it will be worth being a little late to some activities because the students will learn to behave appropriately within a few days. Thus future time, energy, and anguish will be saved.

Step 2:
Praise students who are lining p properly. Your praise will serve to reinforce students who are doing well and will also remind the students of your expectations.

Step 3:
If students want to be first in line, give the 'line leader' position to students who line up well. Say something like the following:

• 'George and Heather lined up very nicely. They can be our line leaders on the way to lunch, recess, etc.'