Aggressive Incidents (Prevention)
Aggressive students can engender a climate of fear in the classroom, creating anxiety among other students and
distracting them from their schoolwork. Six tips to help prevent aggressive incidents in your classroom.
The Assembly
Your challenge when faced with student misbehavior during a school assembly is to respond in a way that leaves the
misbehaving student's dignity intact and allows other students to enjoy a disruption-free program.
About Ken Shore
Dr. Kenneth Shore has been a school psychologist for more than 25 years. He currently consults to various school districts and has a private practice. He received his doctorate in psychology from Rutgers University in 1981, and in 2001, was awarded Rutgers University's Donald R. Peterson Prize for outstanding contributions to professional psychology. Dr. Shore also was named School Psychologist of the Year in New Jersey for 2004. He has just completed a book and series of videos for educators on dealing with bullying, and he also offers workshops on that topic.
Dr. Shore has spoken before many professional and parent groups, been interviewed by CNN, appeared on numerous radio programs, and been featured on the PBS television series Raising Kids. He has served as a guest expert for various Web sites, and consulted to the United States government and the New York City Board of Education. He also helped establish a camp for children with learning disabilities, and was instrumental in developing a center that provided family therapy approaches to families with children experiencing school adjustment problems.
For more information about Dr. Shore, click here to visit his Web site.
The Bathroom
Because it often is unsupervised, the school bathroom is a frequent site of behavior problems. Setting firm rules
and carefully monitoring bathroom use can keep those problems to a minimum.
Bullying
Bullying can create a climate of fear and anxiety in a school, distract students from their schoolwork, and
impede their ability to learn. Dr. Ken Shore describes strategies to help educators deal with bullying.
The Cafeteria
The lunchroom often presents more challenging management problems than the classroom: students often believe that
classroom rules don't apply there. Fourteen tips for improving lunchroom behavior.
Cheating
Elementary school teachers play a key role in conveying the importance of honesty and in teaching students to
take pride in their work. Six tips to help
prevent cheating in the classroom.
Class Participation
Class participation is an important aspect of student learning. When students speak up, they
learn to express their ideas in ways others can understand. Eight tips for encouraging students who are reluctant to participate
in class.
The Field Trip
Class trips offer unique learning experiences and allow students to experience firsthand what they are studying.
Nine tips to help you ensure educational and
trouble-free field trips.
The Hallway
Behavior problems often occur when students line up and walk through the halls. That is not the time to relax
rules or lessen efforts to maintain discipline. Eight tips for keeping order in line.
Hitting or Threatening a Teacher
When responding to a child who has hit or threatened a teacher, the first goal is to ensure that he doesn't do
it again. Eight tips for dealing with a child who strikes or threatens the teacher.
Homework
Homework is a frequent source of tension among teachers, students, and parents. The challenge is to encourage students to take homework seriously, and to not spend time dealing with
homework stragglers.
Inclusion
With the current trend toward inclusion -- placing special-education students in regular classes -- educators
often find themselves teaching students with problems they have little preparation for dealing with.
The Playground
Behavior problems on the playground present opportunities to teach students important lessons about sportsmanship, kindness, conflict resolution,
and respect for property.
Specials, Part 1
Regular classroom teachers aren't the only educators who confront behavioral problems. Teachers of special subjects,
such as art, music, and physical education also face disciplinary issues.
Specials, Part 2
Structure and limits are important educational tools; tools that give rise to a climate in which creativity can
emerge and flourish. Seven more tips for establishing order in phys ed, music, art...
The Substitute
An outsider with no personal connection with the students, a substitute has all of a teacher's responsibilities,
but little of the authority. Six tips for preparing your classroom and your students for your absence.
Teasing (Preventing)
Teasing can result in anxiety and low self-esteem, affect academic performance, and even escalate to physical
conflict. Dr. Ken Shore offers six tips for
preventing teasing in your classroom.
Toileting Accidents
When a student wets or soils himself or herself , it is critical that you deal with the incident in a way that is sensitive
to the student's emotional well-being, while preserving her dignity and self-esteem.
Vandalism, Part 1
Vandalism in schools can take a variety of forms. Teachers who pay attention to
the reasons for vandalism can play an important role in preventing it.
Vandalism, Part 2
For some students, vandalism is a way of expressing anger or frustration. For others, it is a way of impressing
peers. Whatever its reason, even minor vandalism can markedly drain a district's financial resources.
Handling Difficult Students
The Aggressive Student
In dealing with an aggressive student, you want to send a strong message that aggressive behavior will not be
tolerated while helping the student develop more appropriate ways of settling disputes.
The Angry Student, Part 1
At some point, almost every student becomes angry in school. Anger isn't a problem as long as the student expresses
feelings appropriately. It is a problem if the anger is expressed in a way that is hurtful or disruptive.
The Angry Student, Part 2
An angry student might display his temper in a variety of ways. He also might trigger feelings of anger and frustration
in you. Six more tips for dealing with an angry student.
The Annoyer
Students "bother" their classmates in a variety of ways: by poking, tripping, pushing, interrupting, and ridiculing
them. Whatever form the bothering takes, you might need to get involved.
The Arguer
If you have an argumentative student in class, you can spend considerable time debating, justifying, and explaining
every decision. That diverts you from lessons and can lead to similar behavior in other students.
Asthma
Asthma symptoms and accompanying anxiety can hinder concentration on schoolwork and give rise to emotional difficulties.
Eight tips to help minimize the effects of the asthma on students' academic and social success.
The Backtalker
A student who speaks to the teacher in a disrespectful manner undermines the teacher's authority; the disrespect
becomes more serious if other students begin to follow suit. Six
tips for dealing with the backtalker.
The Chair Tipper
Nothing is more unsettling than watching a student tip back in his chair, teetering on the brink of a dangerous
fall. Before you can break a student of that risky habit, you need to make him aware of what he's doing.
The Chatterer
Some students just love to talk -- and their talking can become contagious. To gain quiet, you need to pay attention
to the nature of your instruction, as well as to the structure in your classroom.
The Chronic Complainer
Some students seem to find fault with everything. They gripe about homework, food in the lunchroom,
their seat in the classroom, and comments of other students. Eight tips for dealing with
chronic complainers.
The Class Clown
Almost every class has a clown. For a teacher, such a student rarely is a laughing matter, however. His antics
disrupt the class, distract his classmates, and interfere with the day’s lessons.
The Class Cry-er:
For some students, frequent crying is less a reaction to what is happening than an effort to get a reaction.
Crying episodes interfere with lessons, distract others, and cost valuable teaching time. They must be addressed.
The Disorganized Student
Elementary teachers must recognize the importance of teaching organizational skills. Such skills will be essential
in middle school, when students will be expected to keep track of their assignments and school responsibilities
with little teacher assistance. Dr. Ken Shore offers eight tips for teaching organization skills.
The ESL Student
ESL students present many challenges for teachers, including teaching them academic skills, supporting their English
proficiency, helping them adjust to the school setting, and helping them adapt to the American culture. Eight
tips for dealing with an ESL student.
The Forgetful Student:
Some students practice forgetfulness with almost religious zeal. If you have students who are memory challenged,
you can find yourself spending considerable time tending to their needs, often at the expense of classroom lessons.
Included: Seven tips for dealing with forgetful students.
The Gum Chewer
Educators have differing views about whether students should be allowed to chew gum in school. Whatever your views
might be, your efforts to deal with the issue should interfere with classroom lessons as little as possible. Six
tips for dealing with in-school gum chewers.
The Hyperactive Student
The challenge in working with hyperactive students is to balance their needs with the needs of your other students.
Dr. Ken Shore offers nine tips for dealing with hyperactive students.
The Messy Student
It's not hard to identify a messy student. His desk and his backpacks are dead giveaways, and he spends much of
his day searching for supplies and redoing lost work. Eight tips for helping the messy student clean up his act.
Professional Development Features
Ed
World Columnists
Experts -- like Fred Jones -- offer professional development.
The
Reading Room
Four popular features put the focus on reading:
Reading Coach: Cathy Puett Miller offers advice for
working with struggling readers.
The "Noise Maker"
Students make noise in a variety of ways -- they tap their pencils, click their tongues, sing a song, crack their
knuckles.... Some of the noises can drive you and your other students to distraction. Five tips for dealing with
the classroom "noise maker."
The Note Passer
Passing notes is a time-honored method of classroom communication. Although not a serious problem, it suggests
that the students are not paying attention. Note passing also can disrupt lessons and trigger conflict. Six tips
for dealing with classroom note passers.
The Overly Dependent Student:
The goal in working with an overly dependent student is to help him become more self-reliant and develop more
trust in his own judgment. That requires that a teacher communicate expectations and set firm limits on student-teacher
interactions. Five tips for dealing with an overly dependent student.
The Perfectionist
Students who are perfectionists set impossibly high standards for themselves and become frustrated when they fail
to meet them. According to the perfectionist's code, failure is simply not an option. Six tips for dealing with
the classroom perfectionist.
The Pouter
Pouting is a student's way of communicating displeasure. The best way to help a pouting child get over her anger
is to respond mildly -- or not at all. Seven tips for dealing with a student who pouts.
The Rude Student
The basic mission of school is to teach children the three R's, however a fourth R merits teachers' attention
as well. That R stands for respect. Five tips for dealing with rude or disrespectful behavior.
The School-Phobic Student
The problem of school phobia requires immediate attention. Prolonged absence from school can result in significant
academic and social difficulties. In addition, the longer a student is absent from school, the greater his anxiety
about returning is likely to become -- and the harder it will be to get him back. Eight tips for dealing with
a school-phobic student.
The Seatwork Slacker
When responding to a student who doesn't complete in-school assignments, you first need to figure out why she
is not completing the seatwork. Does she understand the directions? Can she do the work? Is she demonstrating
poor time management or a lack of motivation? Included: Nine tips for getting successful seatwork from all students.
The Shy Student
The shy child is anything but a discipline problem. While many of her classmates work hard to get attention, the
shy child works equally hard to avoid it. Six tips for bringing out the best in shy students.
The Socially Isolated Student
All children need a connection with their peers. Not only are socially isolated children denied the opportunity
to learn the skills necessary to develop and maintain friendships, their schoolwork also can be affected as their
attention drifts to social concerns. Six tips for helping the socially isolated student form peer relationships.
The Spitter
Few behaviors are more unappealing than spitting. The challenge for a teacher with a student who spits is to stop
the spitting, while giving minimal attention to the student's behavior. Five tips for dealing with a student who
spits.
The Student Who Calls Out
Calling out is one of the more common problems teachers encounter in the classroom -- and one of the easiest to
manage. Six tips for dealing with students who consistently fail to raise their hands before speaking.
The Student Who Cheats
When deciding how to respond to students who cheat, you need to think not just about punishing the behavior, but
also correcting it. Failing to focus on the reasons for cheating can simply create more crafty cheaters. Five
tips for dealing with a student who cheats.
The Student Who Falls Asleep
Students in the elementary grades don't often fall asleep in class. When they do, it can be a simple distraction
or a symptom of a larger problem. Six tips for dealing with the sleepy student.
The Student Who Leaves
Young students who leave the classroom without permission generally do so because they are upset about something,
they want to go somewhere more appealing, or they are trying to get attention. Tips for dealing with students
who leave the classroom without permission.
The Student Who Lies
Most children lie sometimes. Although an occasional lie is not a reason for serious concern, teachers should
be concerned about a student who lies frequently. Dr. Ken Shore offers eight tips for dealing with students who
lie.
The Student Who Steals
When responding to a theft, you have three goals: to return the item to its owner, to identify the guilty student,
and to respond with a mixture of firmness and understanding. Seven tips for dealing with a student who steals.
The Student Who Swears
Profanity has become increasingly common in the casual conversations of adults. That does not mean, however, that
you have to tolerate its use by your students. Dr. Ken Shore offers seven tips for dealing with students who swear.
The Student with Attention Deficit (Managing)
Almost every classroom includes at least one student with an attention deficit. A child with an attention deficit
can pose serious classroom management problems and take up a considerable amount of instructional time. Seven
tips for dealing with a student with an attention deficit.
The Student with Attention Deficit (Teaching)
Students with attention deficits often have problems focusing, low frustration tolerance, and organizational and
learning difficulties. In fact, about one of every three students with an attention deficit disorder also exhibits
a learning disability. Seven tips for teaching students with attention deficits.
The Student with Low Self-Esteem
When working with children with low self-esteem, the challenge is to restore their belief in themselves, so they'll
persevere in the face of academic challenges. That means showing appreciation for the things they do well, expressing
confidence that they will improve in areas in which they don't do well, and adapting instruction so every student
experiences success.
The Student with Math Anxiety
Students with math anxiety have confidence in only one thing -- that they can't do it. The teacher needs to prove
to those students that they can do it, convincing them -- through a variety of successful experiences --
that they are more capable than they think. Nine tips for banishing math anxiety from your classroom.
The Student With Poor Hygiene Habits
If a child does not learn good hygiene by the time she leaves elementary school, she likely is in for a rough
time in middle and high school. Discover five tips for helping a student with poor hygiene.
The Student with Poor Listening Skills
Telling a student with poor listening skills to "pay attention" is not sufficient to solve the problem. Teachers
can, however, promote good listening skills by varying the ways in which they communicate, and by making subtle
changes in the classroom setting. Eight tips for dealing with students with poor listening skills.
The Student with Special Needs
In choosing how to respond when a student with special needs presents behavioral problems, teachers need to consider
what underlies the behavior, and provide the student with appropriate support and guidance. Seven behavior management
tips for students with special needs.
The Student with Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary body movements and/or verbalizations.
The disorder can present classroom management concerns for the teacher and self-esteem and peer acceptance issues
for the student.
Suicide Threats
Elementary school children sometimes make comments or behave in a way that suggests they feel like killing themselves.
If you have a student who is exhibiting such signs, you need to take action. Eight tips for dealing with a student
who threatens suicide.
The Tattler
Elementary students are quick to tattle. Dealing with every report would seriously interfere with your teaching,
and yet you do want to make sure you're told if a student is in physical or emotional danger. The following strategies
will help you spend your time teaching while still safeguarding your students. Seven tips for stopping tattling.
The Tardy Student
Some students are late for school for reasons beyond their control. Some students arrive late because of choices
they've made. And some students are late because they like the attention. Dr. Ken Shore offers seven tips for
dealing with the habitually tardy student.
The Tease
Students need to know that teachers will protect them from teasing. You need to send a strong message that ridicule
will not be tolerated in your classroom, and then be alert for signs of ridicule. Dr. Ken Shore offers eight tips
for dealing with teasing.
The Unmotivated Student
The unmotivated student is the one whose attitude toward schoolwork screams, "I don't care!" He gives up at the
first sign of a challenge. He is content with just getting by. When working with an unmotivated student, you first
have to convince him that he can be successful, and then you must figure out how to capture his interest.
The Whiner
Few behaviors are more annoying to teachers than whining. The student who constantly responds in a shrill, high-pitched
voice can annoy even the most tolerant teacher. Seven tips for dealing with students who whine.
The ABCs of Bullying Prevention
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying -- sending humiliating or threatening messages or images through a computer or cell phone -- is
a new and growing form of bullying that has emerged with the advent of technology. And it's a problem that schools
must deal with.
Dealing with Victims
Just as bullies warrant your attention, so too do their victims. Your success in counseling those victims will
depend largely on your ability to establish trust in the face of embarrassment and reluctance to talk about what
happened.
Dealing with Bullying Incidents
No matter how diligent you are in trying to prevent bullying, incidents are likely to occur. Dr. Ken Shore offers
some steps you can take to deal with those incidents and avoid their spinning out of control.
Understanding the Bully
Children are not born bullies. Bullies are made -- which means they can be unmade. Dr. Ken Shore explains
the most common factors that make a bully and some common characteristics that bullies share.
Bully-Proofing Your Classroom
Prevention is, at its essence, a process of education, and many of the lessons students need to learn to dissuade
them from bullying must come from you. Dr. Ken Shore offers teaching strategies you can use to bully-proof your
classroom.
A Bullying Prevention Program
Research indicates that when schools implement a comprehensive program of bullying prevention, they can significantly
reduce the problem of bullying. Discover what steps you should take to implement a bullying prevention program
in your school.
Bullying Myths
Erroneous beliefs about bullying downplay the seriousness of the problem, and keep caring adults from taking the
necessary action to stop it. A look at the lies -- and the truth -- about bullying.
Understanding School Bullying
Bullying takes place when a stronger or more powerful child intentionally and repeatedly hurts, threatens, or
torments a more vulnerable child. Bullying is deliberate, happens more than once, and represents a marked imbalance
of power between bully and victim.
Ask Dr. Shore…About Peer Pressure
My son is about to enter middle school and I'm worried about peer pressure. What can I do to help him avoid succumbing to that pressure?
Ask Dr. Shore…About a “Latchkey” Child
My fifth-grade daughter is usually home alone after school because of my work schedule. What can I do to make sure she’s safe and to give me peace of mind?
Ask Dr. Shore…About Science Education
I’m not pleased with the science education my sixth grader is receiving at school, so I want to provide what the school is not. What can I do to encourage her interest?
Ask Dr. Shore…About Teaching Organization
I teach fifth grade and often find myself spending more time helping my students get organized than teaching academic skills. What can I do to help them keep track of their materials?
Ask Dr. Shore… About a Student With No Friends
I have a child in my third-grade class who does not seem to have any friends. I've tried encouraging him to join other students on the playground and during lunch without much success. What can I do to help him?
Ask Dr. Shore…About Adjusting to Kindergarten
My five-year-old daughter is starting kindergarten this year, and I'm a bit nervous about her adjustment to school. What can I do to make the transition as easy as possible?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Inclusion
As part of the trend towards inclusion, a cognitively impaired student was moved into my regular education class. What can I do to help her be successful with the class work?
Ask Dr. Shore About... High-Stakes Tests and Your Child
My son is in fifth grade. I recently received his scores on his standardized tests and the scores are poorer than we (or he) might have expeected. Should I discuss the results with him and, if so, what should I tell him?
Ask Dr. Shore About... A Child With a Reading Disability
I have a child in my fifth-grade class who has a reading disability. What can I do to help him feel better about reading and, hopefully, become a confident and enthusiastic reader?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Classroom Observations
After attending a parent-teacher conference, I requested -- and have been granted -- permission to observe the class. Would you give me some idea of what to look for during the observation?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Speech Impediments
A girl in my class has a very noticeable speech impediment. What can I do to help her feel less self-conscious about her speech and more confident in class participation and in dealing with her classmates?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Raising Your Child's Grades
My son just brought home his report card and I was very disappointed. Can you give me some pointers on how to convey my expectations without giving rise to an outburst?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Diabetes
A student who has diabetes recently entered my class. What do I need to know about a student with this condition? What guidelines should I follow in handling situations that might arise in the classroom?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Retention
My daughter's teacher is recommending that she be retained next year. My husband and I are really ambivalent about agreeing to it. What factors should we consider in making the decision?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Moving to a New School
We are planning to move to another community in a couple of months and our children will be attending a new school district. What can we do to ease their transition to a new school?
Ask Dr. Shore About... A Student Who Stutters
I teach eighth-grade English and a boy in my class has a pronounced stutter. I want to help make him comfortable but I'm afraid I'm going to do something to make him more self-conscious. What do you suggest?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Turning Off the TV
I have two children who spend too much time in front of the TV. I want to set some limits for their TV viewing, but I also want to be fair to them. Do you have some ideas about how I might do that?
Ask Dr. Shore About... A Student With Cerebral Palsy
I am a fourth-grade regular education teacher and recently a student was placed in my class who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. What can I do to help her?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Choosing a Tutor
My daughter's teacher has suggested that I get a tutor for her because she has been struggling with reading. What factors should parents consider when hiring a tutor for their child?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Working Parents
I recently started a full-time job and I'm worried that both parents working outside the home might have a negative affect on our kids’ academic performance. What can I do to help them continue to do well in school?
Ask Dr. Shore About... Cafeteria Behavior
Do you have any suggestions for managing a cafeteria in a K-2 building? The noise level is tremendous! In the event of an emergency, I don't think we could get the children out safely because of the chaos that exists. Help!
Ask Dr. Shore About... Gifted Students
What are the steps parents should take if they suspect they have a gifted child? Is formal testing to identify gifted children done in public school or should parents seek outside testing?
Ask Dr. Shore About... School Anxiety
My son has been giving me a hard time about going to school. He resists getting out of bed, takes forever getting dressed, complains about having a stomachache, and if all else fails throws a tantrum. What can I do?
Ed
World Columnists
Strategies
More Resources
