Being the crazy person that I am, I’ve been at school the last week and a half setting up my classroom even though I won’t be returning until November because of my maternity leave. In between the hot gluing and book labeling, I met the person who will be filling in for me while I am out. She’s fresh out of college, completed her student teaching, and came to meet me with a list of questions and color-coded notes. She was prepared … and I was impressed!We got talking about the big picture: curriculum, routines to establish, units to cover. Before leaving, she asked me several questions, but one in particular made me pause…What is your behavior plan? 
I literally stared at her for a few awkward beats and started flipping through my mental rolodex (youngins, look it up lol). Then it hit me. I don’t have one! I don’t have one because I don’t need one, and why don’t I need one???I’m sure most veteran teachers feel this way! Most of us don’t have explicit behavior plans, so what do we know, what do we do, that new teachers don’t?Tip One: It starts with the first interaction. The first day of school and every day after, I am at the door greeting the kids when they enter my room. I make eye contact, say hello, once I learn it, I say their name, and smile! The first day of school I shake their hands and welcome them into the classroom. THIS IS KEY. If a student tries to enter the room in a way that I do not approve of, I do not let them enter. I literally say these words: “That’s not how we come into this classroom. Let’s try that again.” There is no yelling. I keep a pleasant smile, but my tone is strict. They try again, and you bet they enter in a more appropriate way and the correct tone is set. She means business!Tip Two: Loud vs. Quiet My first year teaching I had all these cute call and responses to get the class’s attention, but they never worked and I couldn’t figure out why. But after observing master teachers I figured it out. When students get loud, new teachers get louder. Master teachers get quieter.I don’t know about your house, but in my house if we told our parents something and they were silent, it was WAY worse than if they yelled. Same thing in the classroom. Never, NEVER talk over the students. There are 20+ of them and one of you; they will win every time. The louder they get, the quieter you get. Stand completely still and wait. Wait. Wait. Until every student’s attention is on you. It may take a bit, but do it. I normally watch the clock. Standing there waiting can feel like a while, but watch the clock – count in your head 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 minute if it takes that long. As soon as you have everyone’s attention, glance around the room and move on. They get it. EVERYONE’S attention matters. It’s important that they ALL hear what is about to be said. Once they learn this, they get each other quiet when you call for attention.What to do with the one student who still talks? Use the power of a dramatic entrance!I wear heels every day (another story lol), so if a student continues to talk while I’m waiting, I walk… slowly… click… click… arms crossed… making my way over… until I’m standing next to them. I glance down and wait. No yelling. No scolding. No lecturing. Just waiting. Once they finish, pause a beat, then move on. Continue teaching.This quiet waiting game prevents chaos from ensuing! There is no yelling, no lecturing needed!Tip Three: Know their priorities… Most likely, it’s not you. Having taught for almost ten years in a middle school, I can tell you there is no greater influence on tweens than their peers. They are so hyper-conscious of how they appear in front of their friends or classmates – keep this in mind! It can be to your advantage, or if used the wrong way, can be a nightmare.Because of this social awareness, confronting a student’s behavior in front of the class is not going to work. Most of the time, they get embarrassed and act out because everyone is watching. Corrections need to be discreet. Walk over to a student’s desk. Tap on the desk and in a low voice tell them in a few words what needs to be done. Student playing with something they shouldn’t have? Walk over, tap the desk, make eye contact: “We’re doing xyz now.” Wait until you see action, and then keep walking. If they behavior doesn’t improve, I normally give the kids one more chance. If after I address them twice there is no change, I ask them to step into the hallway. That is where I will have the conversation about appropriate behavior. But NEVER in front of their peers! That is a sure-fire way to start a hostile relationship with a student.Let’s Wrap Up… 1. Set the tone at the start of class2. Keep your voice calm and strong3. Redirect students in a discreet manner
I hope these tips help all new teachers or even veteran teachers! They have worked for me with my 7th graders! If you have any tips you’d like to add, please comment below! 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Want more iMrs Hughes?
Keep the conversation going on Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram!
Be sure to check out my TeachersPayTeachers store for additional resources!
Be sure to like and share!
I literally stared at her for a few awkward beats and started flipping through my mental rolodex (youngins, look it up lol). Then it hit me. I don’t have one! I don’t have one because I don’t need one, and why don’t I need one???
Just began a LTS position in an 8th grade Learning Support class and having a very rough start (only two days, but rough.) I am an Elementary Teacher, recently moved and took what I could, it being half way through the year – so classroom management is completely different at these levels, which I knew going into it. BUT I find it so very hard, I think I am on top of them too much – maybe not allowing some minimal discussion – but I also know they are taking it too far and then when I correct them or ask them to stop or get back to work, I get attitude and jokes are made. Ugh, only two days…. but it is HARD, MAN! I have a new respect for you Middle School teachers, ESP Special Education Teachers.
So, I read your post and I am going to try these tomorrow. Thank you for the post!
You also might want to buy a copy of FRED Jones tools for teaching. Lots of great ideas on positive discipline.
I will definitely check this out! Thank you so much!
I really appreciate your article! I’m a weird mix of experienced teacher and new teacher (it’s been a while and since then I’ve been a para, an assistant and other things as well as an advocate) So a lot of what you say I “know” but not all of it was in the front of my brain as I nervously look forward to this year. So I appreciate your laying it out so clearly. 😀
Thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad I could provide a refresher for you before you begin this year! Good luck to you!!!
I appreciated your straight to the point advice. So many other posts I’ve see. Are 10 do’s and 10 don’t’s. This will be my 4th year and I’m hoping to start the year a bit more strict so I can loosen the reins later instead of trying to tighten them later. Thank you much!
You are welcome! I hope this helps you get a great start to your 4th year! Have a great school year 🙂
This is my 20th year teaching and you summed up my behavior plan beautifully. All 20.uears have been in middle school. I totally agree 100% with the power of silently waiting for the whole class to get quiet. Powerful stuff. Thanks for putting my philosophy into words. You rock and good luck this year.
Thank you so much, Susan! I’m glad to hear our behavior plans are in sync! Hope you’re off to a great school year!
This will be my 12th year with 8h graders and I am definitely going to meet them at the door this year! I can also say that the second two techniques ABSOLUTELY work! Thanks for the idea!
You got it!
I’m having a hard time with my 8th grade Spanish class. There is one child who comes in and makes noises and disrupts the rest of the class. I asked the asst. principal to come talk to him on Thursday. He returned to the classroom and continued to misbehave. My asst. principal told me to look for the good in him. I seriously can’t, He has been a thorn in my side since 6th grade. Do you have any advice? Thank you!
I’m so sorry to hear this! Have you contacted home? Assuming you have, I agree with your asst. principal. Find something positive you can use to build confidence in your subject. This could be anything from coming to class on time, to completing all of the classwork (even if the answers aren’t correct)… Compliment them! First, focusing on the positives can help bring a refreshed perspective to your relationship with him! And second, he’ll start to feel success!
As a brand new teacher this was super helpful! I went through an alternative certification program and didn’t even do student teaching so I am definitely going to utilize these tips!
Excellent! Good luck to you!
Thank you! Today is my first day as a substitute. I am going into a Middle School because that seems to be where the greater need for subs is at for the school district. Today is Special Ed and only a half day but tomorrow is a full day in a regular 7th grade class. No one really addresses Middle School. Everything I have found is based on Elementary.
My husband is always telling me I am soft spoken so hopefully it will work to my advantage.
Good luck to you Lacy! I agree! Middle school is definitely lacking resources on classroom management! I hope this post helped!
I have a question about what you do if you suspect bullying but are not sure. I have one girl I think is bullying other girls who are shy, but I’m not sure yet. What can I do to intervene without making it worse?
It’s my first year teachering.