Did you know that there’s a simple way to improve behaviour in your classroom? It’s a little counter-intuitive to be honest and I must confess, as both a teacher and a parent, it took me quite a while to discover it. Like most adults I was usually concerned with achieving a particular aim – getting my students to work, my teenage son to remember where he lived at bedtime, and my young daughter to throw her tantrums at home instead of supermarket checkouts. So much so, that it almost did NOT dawn upon me that there is an inextricable link between mood and behaviour.
Think about this: how often have you seen a genuinely happy student causing mayhem in your lesson? I know your answer already. When kids are in a contented, relaxed mood, happily engaged and with their needs being met, they have neither reason nor inclination to reduce your lesson to chaos.
In some classrooms scenes of diligent students seem to be the norm; their teachers manage to draw the very best behaviour – textbook, you might say – from the most challenging, resistant kids in school. So how, you ask, is that?
Well, as one who has spent many years in schools as teacher, manager, coach, and trainer, I used to ask it too. I witnessed some incredible teachers and was always fascinated by the spells they seemed to cast – yes, at times it really did seem to be magic. What on earth was it these brilliant teachers do to get even the most challenging students on side?
The solution is absurdly simple: they make kids feel good. They make them laugh. They make them feel empowered. They make them feel capable. They make them feel understood, wanted, and valued. Most important of all, I think, they make them feel good about themselves.
The good news for you is that any teacher prepared to spend time tending to the emotional and social factors that influence learning can weave this magic. One way to achieve this is through certain classroom activities… ‘mood changers’, I call them. These can quickly help you create a classroom environment in which students feel safe, supported, and eager to participate. And, of course, non-disruptive.
High-energy activities, for example, generate movement, action, laughter, fun, excitement and interest. They can be used to start a session, to introduce a new topic or idea, or to invigorate a flagging group. The right high-energy activity can change the mood in a room very quickly and help instill a sense of excitement, engagement and focus.
Calming activities have the opposite effect, lowering the energy in your classroom by inviting students to settle down and quieten the ‘busyness’ of their minds a little. Brain scans show that the pattern of alpha waves generated when we are in a calm, relaxed state (as opposed to normal waking state beta waves) enhances learning, retention and recall.
Creative thinking activities bring bright ideas and challenges into the classroom, encouraging students to think creatively and help them develop skills that will be essential for success in both their personal and professional lives. Creative thinking helps students become more innovative and ‘think outside the box’. It allows them to approach tasks with a different perspective, thereby helping to boost their confidence and self-esteem.
Connection activities can be used to develop a sense of inclusion and community in your classroom. Students feeling that they are part of a safe, supportive and inclusive community are less likely to feel overwhelmed and isolated, more likely to participate and contribute in class, and to feel comfortable when asking for help. Connection also leads to improved social skills and helps develop a culture of respect and understanding. Students who feel valued and respected are more likely to treat their peers and teachers with the same kindness and respect.
Finally, we have focus activities. These help students concentrate on their work and avoid distractions. They promote the learning and retention of information, leading to improved test scores and overall academic performance. Perhaps the greatest benefit of helping students learn to focus is that it promotes the development of a ‘growth’ mindset. Students able to immerse themselves in a task and concentrate fully on their work can more easily embrace challenges and put in the effort to learn. Many studies have revealed that growth mindset has significant positive effects on behaviour, motivation and academic performance.
If I’ve done my job right, by now you’re thinking, ‘this all makes perfect sense, Rob, but where do I find such activities?’ Well, I’ve got you covered. My latest book ‘Change the Mood of the Noisy Class’ is jam-packed with 102 tried and tested activities to improve students’ mood and boost creativity, connection, and focus in your classroom; it also includes a bonus suite of downloadable resources and printables.
Get your copy by searching for ‘Change the Mood of the Noisy Class’ by Rob Plevin on Amazon and start transforming your classroom into a place where students love to learn!
Rob Plevin was a special-ed teacher and deputy head and has spent the last 15 years helping teachers, lecturers, parents, carers and youth workers to connect better with children. He provides free training and downloadable resources from his website at www.needsfocusedteaching.com.
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