Building Relationships with Students

"That's not fair!  Everyone else was talking. Why am I the only one getting detention?"
"You just don't like me.  You're racist."
"Why are you getting me in trouble?  {Insert student's name} was doing it first.

Teacher: Please go directly to class.  You've been reminded of the expectations in the past.  Next time you will receive a detention.
Students: {eye rolling, dramatic sighing} Whatever.

Teacher (to a group of students loitering in the hallway): Students, let's move to class.
Students: {completely ignores the adult who is speaking and continues with their own discussion}

Teacher: {insert student's name}, why did you hit ___________?  You are now in trouble.  Go to the dean's office.
Student: I didn't even touch her!
Teacher:  I watched you do it!  Why are you trying to argue?
Student:  I didn't do nothing!!!!
Teacher:  There are cameras in the hallway.  Should I pull up the video footage?
Student:  You can do whatever you want.  I didn't do nothing.

Have you ever heard these types of utterances or seen behaviors like this from students in your building?  Sometimes our kiddos test our patience.  Their attitudes and poor behavior choices are enough to drive us to...     

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With the right strategies, we can reduce these types of behaviors. 

Check out my guest blog post at Education to the Core for suggestions on how to build relationships with students.  Incorporating one or more of these strategies will dramatically improve the behavior in your classroom and help motivate students to do their best.  This will allow you to spend more time doing what you love...TEACHING!

*Special thank you to my awesome team of teachers who helped me collect the quotes and scenarios from our personal experiences with our lovelies.