The look. This is the most basic tool for managing behaviour or non-compliance. A simple look – do not glare, wink, smile or offer the student any emotion at all. Simply engage them with eye contact, this lets them know that you know about their behaviour or non-compliance. Most students will respond to this immediately by minimising their behaviour or stopping it completely. Do this only once.

Gestures. If the look does not placate the students behaviour, then gestures or lip syncing may be used in conjunction with the look to encourage the student to change their behaviour. Do this only once.

Name calling. For students who are persistently disruptive or non-compliant, announcing their name out loud will be a wake up call for them. This communicates not only to the student, but to the rest of the class, that this behaviour is not desirable and that there will be consequences should it continue. Treat this as their first official warning.

Warnings. Warnings only work if there are consequences. Three is the most commonly accepted number of warnings, but usually amounts to nothing. Rather than allowing the student three warnings, or three opportunities to stuff up, give them two and unleash the consequences on the third. This will communicate to the students that you are serious and that you will not tolerate poor behaviour. The punishment should fit the crime, but it is key that you remain level headed and do not play into their hand. Be in control of your emotions.