Discipline Checklist—Interrupting
Although interrupting can be extremely irritating, most successful teachers consider this a relatively mild form of misconduct and deal with it accordingly. Consider the range of strategies suggested.
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In most cases, you can deal with interrupting gently, and with humor.
- Remind students that you expect them to raise hands, wait their turn to speak, and be patient.
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Defer interrupting questions and comments to a later time, saying, "Wait. Not now. Hang on to that thought."
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Move your hand gently to block eye contact with the interrupting student.
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At the upper grades use humor, saying, "Excuse me, is the middle of my sentence interrupting the beginning of yours?"
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Most students don't intend to be rude when they interrupt. You should deal with their behavior by educating them about why it's better to wait their turn.
- With habitually interrupting students, schedule a private conference and describe interrupting as unfair, distracting, and disrespectful of others' feelings and rights. Make a written, signed contract to improve their behavior.
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With extremely impulsive children, work out a private hand signal to remind the students of expectations. (Examples: teacher touches top of left ear or ear lobe; holds up two or three fingers; moves hand or finger down as if making a hash mark.) Have them monitor their own progress by recording "talk-outs" (interruptions) or rating themselves on a 10-point scale daily.
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These methods should help students who interrupt learn to change their behavior.
Excerpted from Discipline Checklist: Advice from 60 Successful Teachers, available from the NEA Professional Library.
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