The Clique This PowerPoint has been developed from information gained on the http://www.disciplinehelp.com/ website. It contains excellent advice on dealing with over 117 ways students find to divert teacher management away from their primary concern of teaching and learning.

The Clique A small group of students who are together continuously. Dominate others by treating them as inferior. Ignore other students. Desire special treatment and privileges. Defend their group unswervingly. Usually argumentative and cause class discord. Show disrespect. Laugh at and make fun of others. Totally exclusive. Behaviour: Specific attitudes and actions of this child at home and/or at school.

The Clique Often, teacher and classmates are pulled into a power struggle with clique members. Teacher's time is dominated by these students. Other students are inhibited and made to feel inferior. Arguments that arise can often interrupt class discussion and interaction. Being inclusive in class becomes difficult. Obtaining cooperation becomes difficult when clique needs are not considered. Some students may become fearful. Clique members may always want to work together on classroom assignments or tasks. Effects: How behaviour affects teachers, classmates, and parents in the school learning environment and the home family situation.

The Clique Primary Causes of Misbehaviour Power Each individual in the clique feels more powerful with the group. The student may not have confidence but, within the clique, feels capable of doing almost anything. Primary Needs Being Revealed Sexuality The student may be so insecure about relationships that he/she will do anything to stay in the clique. Escape from Pain The feeling of not being able to make it alone is very painful, thus the importance of belonging to a clique. Secondary Needs Being Revealed Gregariousness A need to belong to an "inner circle" is satisfied by belonging to a clique. Through the clique, the person may act out other needs. Aggression The student is unable to be assertive alone, but can be as part of a group. Achievement The student may well work harder in the classroom in order to remain in the group. Status The acceptance of the student by the group gives him/her a feeling of being somebody. Action: Identify causes of misbehaviour. Pinpoint student needs being revealed. Employ specific methods, procedures, and techniques at school and at home for getting the child to modify or change his/her behaviour.

The Clique More Action Do not try overtly to break up the group. Find out individual needs. Identify the leader of the group-and work with this student. Create study groups that separate members of the clique. Or create a study group made up of clique members. Then members may determine that there are reasons to leave the group. Try to use the leadership ability of clique members constructively in every classroom situation. Motivate the clique leader to better behaviour by acknowledging positive behaviour when it occurs. Refrain from talking to these students as a group. They will stick together at almost any cost. Talk to individual members of a clique on a one-to-one basis, if their inclusiveness is hurting class performance. It is better, however, to work on the leader. When a problem arises, find out what their real gripe or problem is-and never speculate. Never attack the group. Remember, a constructive positive action to help eliminate and resolve the problem in an up-front and sincere manner is the best approach. Always tell students that you understand and appreciate their close friendship. Tell them that if their behaviour interferes with the learning of other students, you'll have to talk to them again-that you'll have to break the group up in the classroom. Tell them that you would rather not do this because you understand that they would rather sit together in class. You never want them to think that you're against the group. But explain to them that you have to deal with what is in the best interest of the class. If the behaviour continues, explain that it is not in the best interest of the class to have them sit together and talk during class time. This will help them understand the justness of your decision. If you change seating, always tell each student that it was his/her behaviour that told you what you had to do. In effect, you did not move the student-the student did.

The Clique Teacher Mistakes: Common misjudgments and errors in managing the child which may perpetuate or intensify the problem. Mistakenly concluding that all cliques are bad. Creating a situation in which one clique is actually pitted against another. Underestimating the actual power of a clique. Failing to recognize that students need to belong to groups and that it's healthy. Embarrassing them or using sarcasm in the presence of other students. They will simply group against you. Capitulating to group whims. Failing to recognize that these students together are different from the same students as individuals.