Behavior Crisis Management Tool #5

“This is not Open for Discussion”

Purpose

The purpose of this tool is to limit negotiation and control on the part of students when you need something done without question.

Examples

Students who have behavior issues will try and negotiate or control the environment since that offers them some predictability. Keep in mind that the more controlling a student is, the more out of control he/she actually feels so control reduces his/her anxiety. The problem is that at times he/she has a hard time relinquishing power and control to his/her teacher. This sometimes results in negotiation, opposition, defiance etc. All too often, these behavioral symptoms occur when a teacher is directing a class to do something and as a result the teacher gets into confrontation, threats, or disciplinary action in an attempt to get the students to conform. The problem here is that students with behavioral issues sometimes need a very small “canvas” or limited options in which to operate. The larger the “canvas” or the more options the greater the tension. This tension is what leads to the need to control.

What May Not Work

What does not work in this type of situation is not setting the rules before hand when you definitely need the students to comply. Students with behavioral issues will always feel they can negotiate, sometimes not very appropriately, since they themselves lack boundaries or regard for authority.

Try This

If you are directing something that needs to be done, limit the opportunity for reaction by first saying: What I am about to tell you is something that needs to be done immediately. Therefore it will not be open for discussion and I will not entertain any questions. I expect all of you to follow through on this requirement.

Next Part – Step IV in the Building Self Confidence in the Classroom Series will be: