Last week I discussed the “Law of Least Intervention”. This is how a teacher addresses minor disturbances with the “least” amount of disruption to teaching/learning.

The first step on the ladder of least intervention is quite simple. However, do NOT underestimate the power of this simple strategy.

Here it is: eye contact

First of all, it is important for teachers to remember that the vast majority of classroom management problems start out from minor incidents that quickly escalate.

Therefroe, a teacher who wants to be an effective classroom manager is constantly scanning the room. This constant scanning will stop many misbehaviors from ever occurring and will prevent other misbehaviors from escalating.

However, if this automatic scanning does not stop the disturbance then it is time for the teacher to stop scanning and make direct and prolonged eye contact with the student who is causing the problem.

The rest of the students do not even notice what is happening and the lesson does not miss a beat. However, the non-verbal message from the teacher to the problem student was loud and clear…”I see what you are doing…now stop and don’t let it happen again.”

Teachers should not underestimate how important eye contact is during a lesson. By effectively scanning the room and making prolonged eye contact when necessary the teacher can stop classroom management problems without having to stop the lesson.

If that doesn’t work, its time for the teacher to take it to the next step…

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To gain an arsenal of effective teaching strategies that you can start applying to your very next class read eTeach: A Teacher Resource for Learning the Strategies of Master Teachers @ www.TeachingTeacher.com/

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