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Maintaining Authority in the Classroom
Course Policies
One of your best defenses against student rebelliousness is your course policies statement. Lay out in detail what you expect your students to do and not do in class in order to maintain an appropriate classroom atmosphere. For certain things, like tardies, it is also useful to indicate the penalties for each infraction. Though you may choose to allow some things that other teachers don't, the important thing is to enforce what you say and remind delinquent students about the course policies contract. Check with more experienced TFs for things they include in their policies because of past problems. Some things to consider:
• Tardies (as a disruption to the beginning of class)
• Cell phones in class
• Food and drinks
• Respecting students' writing and comments
Classroom setup
Decide how you want your students to be seated for your class. In composition classes, you will probably want students to sit in groups. In other classes, you might opt for a large circle or rows. Inform students at the beginning of the semester how they should organize themselves when they come into class. Having a stable physical setup for class:
• minimizes the distraction of having students change desks or move desks during class.
• reinforces for students that you will be circulating between groups and desks in order to check on their work during class.
• makes it difficult for students to hide at the back of the class, in corners, or behind their classmates.
Talking
Consistently enforcing appropriate classroom talking will lead to more useful discussions and other activities.
• Make sure ALL students are quiet during writing activities.
• Make sure ALL students are quiet while you give instructions or other students are sharing material with the whole class. The idea is that everyone should be listening or at least not preventing others from listening. One easy way to deal with talkers while you are giving instructions is to stop talking and walk towards the talkers. They will usually stop right away and let you continue.
• Give focused tasks for group discussion, linked to producing something concrete (such as a list of five things a successful paper will include) so that you can monitor group progress and move on to the next task when students are finished.
Problem students
For the most part, students are willing to give you the respect a teacher deserves. Generally, it helps to know that as long as you let students know what you expect of them and when they are out of line, other students will be on your side against problem students. Sometimes, however, you will have difficult students who continue to act up. Remember that the Writing Program is on your side. Consult with the Director and other TFs for advice and help.
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