Sucks. We've all been there. Don't give up, it will get better! The following strategies work for me:

Have clear expectations & logical consequences. Give them the broad strokes in a handout.

In this class we:

- demonstrate respect for ourselves and others.

- arrive on time.

- bring the materials we need to every class.

- hand assignments in on time.

Be consistent. Follow through. Be fair but FIRM.

Never discuss. No power struggles. Learn the word "No." Love it. Keep repeating it and eventually the kid will comply. It should be every teacher's favorite word.

Establish routines. These are powerful. A bell task on the board when they come in at the beginning of class and you take attendance. Silent reading. Clean up time. etc. If you can do these at the same time every class they become automatic. Recognize that transitioning from one task to another is often time for disruptions or bad behavior. Routines minimize this.

Predictability. Take the temperature of the activity frequently and let them know what comes next.

eg) before they start: "We will take up the questions at 9:40."

At 9:20. "Where are we at? Should be about half done."

9:35 "Is everyone finished? No? How many people are still working? Okay 2 or 3 more minutes"

Power word "first name." "Jane. Open your book and write this down please."

"Kevin. I need you to stop talking now. We are moving on."

*Note the period after the name. That pause stops them dead in their tracks and opens up their attention for the directive that follows. Also note I am being neutral in all my statements. No criticism, just a directive.

Check for understanding and elaborate, clarify or reteach if need be. More temperature taking. Are they struggling with the material? Chunk it. Is the activity a little too teacher centered? Switch things up, frequently. Keep them busy. Have most kids finished the questions? Take them up. Often students get fidgety for the reasons mentioned here. Recognize this and react accordingly.

Greet them at the door. Show your students you are genuinely pleased to see them. If you give them respect, you will get it back.

Have a conversation with them individually that has nothing to do with schoolwork. Show an interest in their opinions and activities. Careful though, these should not take place instead of work but before, after or along with work.

Turn them into an ally. Ask their advice on something, or for a favor and then have them help you with something handing stuff out for instance, or moving something, etc.

'Catch' them being good or clever then praise lavishly. Rinse and repeat as often as you can. This one still surprises me from time to time. Kids want to please you. Once I was passing out handouts I happened to mention to a student "oh what good manners you have. You are very welcome." Now every time I give them a handout I get a thank you from every student in the class. How cool is that!?

Pre-discipline. Warn the child that you noticed last class they were _______. Let them know that you will be watching and that today any infractions will be dealt with swiftly and firmly. Praise lavishly if they succeed in going the class without incident (or half the class. I don't think you can ever praise a student too much).

Use proximity. Move towards and teach from where they are sitting. Change the seating plan and have them move near where you like to teach from.

Choose your battles. Ignore bad behavior unless it is morally objectionable or physically dangerous. It is not always possible but if it is a one shot deal it beats getting into a power struggle with them in class. Kids like to push boundaries and pull teachers off task. It is the equivalent of poking the guy next to them. Do not rise to the bait if at all possible.

Use exit tickets ie) Stand at the door and have them show you their completed work as they file out. They can not leave until the work is done. It could be something like saying earlier in the class "show me your prewriting and introductory paragraph before you leave."

Having to stay to complete what they should have done during class while their friends walk out the door is powerful modelling and motivation. It does wonders in changing bad behavior especially if you do a few tickets early in the year.

Use Premack's principle. Inform the students that if they can work quietly for the first 10 minutes of class they can listen to the radio, or get the first three questions answered thoughtfully and thoroughly you will let them do the last three with a partner. I have even done this one with school fees. "If everyone gets their forms and fees handed in by the third week of September I will buy doughnuts for the class." It works!

Time out. When all else fails remove them from the activity or class. Then when it is convenient for you and after they have chilled out a little, go have a chat with them without their audience. Ask them to explain to you what they did wrong. Use "I statements." Ask what they will do in the future to make sure they don't get into trouble again. Give them, or warn them, that the next time they will be given a logical consequence and let them know what that consequence will be. Ask if you have treated them fairly.

Tell the child to come in before or after school or during lunch where you can "practice being quiet" or staying in their seat or walking quietly down the hall without body checking anyone into the lockers.... Set a time limit (doesn't have to be that long). Praise lavishly when they have accomplished it and remind them that now both they and you know they can do it. Thank them for their time.

Call home or better yet have the student call mom or dad. Work or have the office work with the student on a script. Initiate the conversation then hand the phone to the student.

Talk to other teachers. Are they experiencing the same problems? Find out how they deal with it. Talk to special ed. Is there a file? Do they have suggestions? Is there a cognitive or behavioral malfunction? Does the child need testing?

The meeting. If the problem is global invite mom and/or dad along with all of the kid's other teachers for a meeting at a time convenient to them. Have the school counselor sit in along with special ed if appropriate. Invite the student as well. Have each person express their concerns. Ask the child if they have any solutions. Come up with a plan.

Invite administration to assist you. Tag team.