So many times we would like to excuse our students behavior by simply saying, "They're just teenagers and that's how teenagers behave." We say phrases like this as if we don't have any control over what happens in our classrooms, but I am here to tell you that kind of thinking is completely wrong. Truly, you are the creator of your classroom. So work to create the classroom of your dreams. Will it be perfect? No. But with a little effort and consistency, it will be close.
To start the creation of your ideal class, there are a few things you need to know. First, contrary to popular belief, teenagers are not out to get you or to turn your lessons into a disaster just because they can. On the contrary, they honestly want to learn. Unfortunately their teenage brain is still working hard to develop. This is especially true in the part of the brain where "skills like planning, prioritizing and controlling impulses" are managed. Knowing this will help you to understand that teenagers may do or say something on an impulse, but it is up to you to help them learn what is and is not acceptable in your class. The same goes for their ability to prioritize what they should be doing during class. For example: engaging in the lesson or using their cell phone to play a game, message some one or scroll through social media.
Too often we view their behavior as a personal attack when in reality, they themselves are struggling to learn how to manage their impulses, prioritize things and even plan their daily life; so give them some help why don't ya!
As a teacher, part of your role is to be someone who can help them learn the boundaries of behavior by setting simple, yet high expectations in your classroom.
How do you do this? It's not as hard as it may seem. First, in my classroom, the only rule I have is "Do only those things that invite the Spirit". I tell this rule to my students on the first day I meet with them. I discuss what that means in my classroom and then I stick to that rule. Some of the things I have done to reinforce this rule are:
Phone Use
Gently reminding my students that their phones are to be used only for gospel study while in our class and then asking them to please make sure they are doing that.
Students not listening while I am teaching
Students not listening to other students who are sharing
Homework in class
Students coming and going in the middle of class
Second, to help them with planning and knowing what to expect. I always follow a daily schedule. It goes like this: Song, Pray, Devotional, Doctrinal Mastery Review, Reading together a paragraph from one of the proclamations, Lesson, "Thus we see" and prayer. ("Thus we see" is when the student, before giving the pray, tells us what doctrine or principle they learned that day in seminary. These were written on a board each day as pictured below)
Having a routine allowed my students to always know what to expect each day. And believe it or not, teenagers like routine. And I will let you in on another little secret, routines make your life easier too! As part of my routine, I would always let my students know, at least the week beforehand, who would be saying prayers and giving devotionals so they could plan accordingly.
The bottom line: You control what is and is not acceptable in your classroom. Be forewarned, teenagers will test the limits not because they are being ornery but because they are seeking to know and understand the boundaries. Knowing this to be true, I urge you to make sure you are consistent with your boundaries and limits. If you do make a mistake in this area simply own it, apologize and let the class know that you will strive to not let that happen again. Trust me, when boundaries and limits are established students will enjoy a greater sense of safety and peace which will lead to an increased desire to share their thoughts and ideas. This comes because they know what you expect of not only them, but of everyone who enters your classroom.
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