1. How to Diffuse Classroom Behaviors/ What to Do When a Student….
-Jackie Novotny

2. Who am I? Why am I here? Jackie Novotny Hillside’s culture?
5th year English Teacher, Department Chair, Beginning Teacher Mentor
Hillside High School- Durham
Lateral entry – from NC TEACH
Hillside’s culture?
Huge free and reduced lunch population
Low test scores
Low motivation
Diverse in a way that’s not diverse at all
IB Program, AP classes, BFA, etc.

3. Where do the problems stem from?
Organizational systems not in play!
Attendance?
Parent contact?
Grading work?
Passing back work?
Accepting late work?
Bathroom policies?
Consequences not clear.
PBIS model (we’ll come back to this)

4. Where do the problems stem from?
Instruction
Not Engaging
Not Meaningful
Not Challenging
Bell-to-Bell Instruction is missing!
How can I fill this time?
Why are we doing this!?

5. Day One. Setting the tone.
What do I need to do to make sure I don’t set myself up for failure?
Start Day One
Syllabus
Go over all components
Signed by students AND parents
Classroom Procedures
Go over components
Importance of practice, practice, practice
Parent AND student signature!
Day one can be on literally day one… or the first day you decide to try something new.

6. Creating a Nurturing Environment
Student Activities on Day One.
Poem (Teaching Parallel Structure)
Mind Map (Teaching Brainstorming)
Intro welcome letter (Writing assessment)
Keeping track of students’ progress and their activities outside of your room (attendance sheet)
What activities do they do?
When can you incorporate their skills in class? DJ
Singer
Actor

7. PBIS Positive Behavior Intervention System Consequences…
This is great if your school has bought in… but if not, create your own!
Reward being in your seat when the bell rings.
Reward not tardy students after an identified time frame.
Reward work turned in on time.
Consequences…
Classroom (may be same as school)
School

8. Scenarios / Situations
What do I do when…
A student won’t give up a cellphone?
In my class, we have two options:
1) You give it up and I take it until the end of the class.
2) You charge it while I teach?
If we don’t…we follow PBIS. Contact parent, contact guidance… etc.

9. Scenarios/ Situations
What do I do when…
There is a fight.
What do you think?
If you can diffuse it before it begins, that’s always best.
It’s not always best to remove the aggressor….
Sometimes the one being attacked is still able to be talked down.

10. Scenarios/ Situations
What do I do when…
Cursing is a problem.
Know your limits! What words are absolutely non negotiables?
Can you explain code-switching?
Do you feel the same if they’re talking about an issue in class?

11. Scenarios/ Situations
What do I do when…
Bullying occurs?
Referral and parent phone call home
Guidance Referral for kid being bullied

12. Scenarios/ Situations
What do I do when…
A kid starts to fail… and wasn’t before.
Start with the kid.
Guidance referral if you feel there is something bigger happening
Coach? Mentor? Tutoring program?
Phone call home

13. Scenarios/ Situations
What do I do when…
A child is sleeping.
Don’t embarrass the kid, issues at home may be the root of the lack of sleep.
Talk to the kid during class if there is a time, or ask him or her to stay after.

14. Contact Me!  E-mail: Jaclyn.novotny@hillsidehornets.net
Google Site:
(just search: Novotny’s English Class)