Those who are newer to my blog might not know that before I became a mum, and before my years as a full-time primary school teacher, I was a relief teacher here in Australia for a long two years. Oh, how clearly I remember the challenges that season brought for me! There were some beautiful moments too though. And so many unique opportunities. Like the opportunity to gain confidence in managing a classroom of students. 

When you are thrown into a challenging situation, you quickly learn what works and what doesn’t. One thing that you soon come to learn when relief teaching is that a good behaviour management plan is everything. I recorded most of the following tips while I was still in the midst of relief teaching, but I have updated them and added a few more now that I have had more experience with teaching. I hope this post provides some useful strategies to all the other relief teachers out there.

1) Get to know the students’ names ASAP

I really can’t stress this enough. This is a simple thing that makes relief teaching so much easier. Peek at the names on their books or the labels on their pencils if you need to, but make every effort to get to know the students’ names.

2) Make sure expectations are clearly set

If the students are confused by what is expected of them then they’re more likely to act out. Make sure you address this from the beginning by clearly letting them know what behaviour you’re looking for.

3) Ask students about usual classroom procedures at the beginning of the day

Find one of the ‘helpful’ students in the class and ask them to give you the run-down on what the usual classroom procedures are so that you can implement them in your teaching.

4) Set up a safe community of learners 

You want to make sure the students feel confident enough to give things a try. Let them know that making mistakes is part of the learning process and do what you can to encourage student participation.

5) Always keep a calm front and don’t take behaviour issues personally

If a student says that your lesson is boring don’t take it personally. It’s hard but important to keep a calm front instead of reacting out of emotion.

6) Arrive early before school to prepare for the day

Give yourself time to familiarise yourself with lesson times, class rules, seating charts etc. You don’t want to start the day in a fluster because you were running late.

7) Show that you are interested in what you’re teaching

Sometimes you don’t even like the lessons that you have been asked to deliver, but you need to find a way to show that you enjoy and care about what you are teaching. If you’re not interested the kids won’t be either.

8) Use positive reinforcement

When addressing student behaviour, focus on pointing out and rewarding the children who are doing the right thing, rather than only noticing when students are doing something wrong. While you will still have to correct students when they choose not to follow your expectations, setting an environment focused on celebrating the positive will help keep most of the kids from disrupting that.

9) Have some back-up activities up your sleeve in case there is a change of plans

Sometimes things go haywire. The activity you were supposed to run fails miserably or the students are done with everything their teacher planned in the first 10 minutes of the lesson. This is when you need to have a back-up plan. There are so many great games and activities that don’t require any preparation. Have a list of them handy. I would even bring a display folder of worksheets to hand out to early finishers. Things like maths games or brainteasers are ideal. Find what works for you and have it ready to go in case you need it.

10) Have brain breaks when children need to let their energy out

Kids gone wild? It might be time for a ‘brain break’. If you have access to YouTube, there are dozens of dance videos for kids that allow the class a few minutes to get their wriggles out. Another option is giving the class a couple of minutes of ‘free time’ between lessons. Let them get their energy out and then you can continue with the lesson.

11) Offer to help the more disruptive students

Every class has students who are going to push the boundaries. Often though, these sorts of behaviours stem from either a lack of confidence or a lack of interest in their schoolwork. If you make it your aim to go and offer assistance to the more disruptive students at the beginning of each lesson, you’re not only helping them with their learning, but you’re also connecting with them personally. Both of these tactics will reduce the likelihood that they’ll start displaying negative behaviours while you’re teaching. 

12) Keep refining your strategies and learning as you go. No one gets it right all the time.

Remember that teachers are learners too, and that it takes time, practice and a few mistakes before you get things right.

P.S. The work you do is ever so valuable. I know you’re often overlooked, but on behalf of the teachers and parents of the world – thank you.   

(Updated from a post originally published in 2016.) 

If you’d like to hear my tips on teaching narrative writing, take a look at part 1 of my ‘Navigating Narrative Writing’ series.