As a teacher, there are times when we find ourselves in a challenging class situation. It can be frustrating when a class is not quite out of control but also not quiet and respectful.

Frankly, I have been there myself. It feels like you have a good relationship with a lot of these students individually, but whenever I tried to get them to quiet down and listen, it was a nightmare. As a group, we couldn’t focus for longer than a few minutes at a time. There are constant interruptions, silly questions, people just trying to be funny with sarcastic comments, and it's just too much.

It's overwhelming, because I know there is a good chunk of students that are not getting the content because they are constantly being distracted. It felt like I needed some new classroom management skills. If you are struggling with this type of class, here are twelve strategies that can help you regain control and create a more focused learning environment.

1. Change the seating chart and/or grouping of tables 

This can be done even mid-class if necessary. By changing the seating arrangements, you can break up any cliques that may be forming and prevent students from becoming too comfortable and disrupting the class.

2. Review and repeat expectations for the activity 

This includes noise level, independent work, staying in seats, and more. Make sure students understand what is expected of them and what they should do if they have a question. By clearly communicating expectations, students will be less likely to engage in disruptive behaviour.

3. Ignore the blurting of answers and only recognise hand raisers

Praise hand raisers for their behaviour. By only recognizing students who raise their hands, you are encouraging respectful behaviour and discouraging blurting out answers.

4. Wait until it is completely silent before continuing instruction

This can be done with "the hairy eyeball" or a quiet, serious expression. By waiting for complete silence before continuing instruction, you are establishing that you will not tolerate disruptions and that you expect students to be attentive and engaged.

5. Take notes from the side of the class when students are not quiet

This can be done with a clipboard and can be used to send positive notes home to students who are on track. By taking notes, you are showing students that you are aware of their behaviour and that you expect them to be quiet and focused.

6. Lower your voice or speak softly when giving instructions

This will require students to be quiet in order to hear you. By speaking softly, you are creating an atmosphere of calm and focus in the classroom.

7. Move instruction faster at times

This will keep students engaged and on their toes. By moving instruction faster, you are creating a sense of urgency and encouraging students to stay focused.

8. Play background music like "coffee shop music" to create a more relaxed and focused atmosphere 

Music can help to create a more relaxed and focused atmosphere in the classroom, which can make it easier for students to stay on task.

9. Praise students who are normally talkative or disrespectful when they are behaving well

This can be done in front of the whole class and should be followed up with positive notes at home. By praising positive behaviour, you are encouraging students to continue to behave well.

10. Have a group conversation and ask students to come up with rules for acceptable behaviour

This will help them buy into what is expected of them. By involving students in the process of creating class rules, they will be more likely to follow them.

11. Use "stop signs" such as little red stop signs on desks when someone is talking out of turn

The stop sign serves as a visual reminder that talking out of turn is not acceptable and can be a subtle way of bringing attention to the behaviour without calling out the student.

12. Identify the ring leaders and call their parents

Once these students are under control, the others will usually settle down. By addressing the behaviour of the ring leaders, you can often address the behaviour of the entire class.

By implementing these strategies, you can regain control of your class and create a more focused learning environment for your students. Remember to be patient and persistent, and to always keep the goal of helping your students learn at the forefront of your mind.

We would love to hear your feedback and experiences on these strategies. Please feel free to share with us your thoughts, comments and any other strategies that have worked for you in managing challenging classes by replying to this email. We believe that together we can learn from each other and create better learning environments for our students.