1st Edition
The Behaviour Whisperer 100 Ways Teachers Can Communicate to Improve Their Students' Focus in the Classroom
Dealing with poor behaviour is exhausting and stressful. But it doesn’t have to be! Some teachers keep their students in line with apparent ease. They defuse tricky situations with discreet words and almost imperceptible gestures. They extract work from the most reticent students. Yet even experienced teachers are not immune to the impact of bad behaviour on both the classroom environment and their own well-being. In this exciting new book, bestselling author Mark Roberts shares the secrets of how behaviour whispering can improve 100 common classroom problems, from the student who is always late to the class that is unsettled by a wasp.
Divided into two sections, Part A features 80 common behaviour scenarios that teachers are likely to encounter. Roberts reframes ineffective responses to these scenarios by using language that helps students feel supported, and helps you succeed in regaining control of the situation. Part B introduces 20 non-verbal forms of communication that can be used in a variety of behaviour situations to manage the problem without singling out a troublesome or unfocused student. Each of the 100 scenarios featured in the book is accompanied by an illustration and an explanation of why this phrase or gesture works. Practical next steps follow at the end of every scenario, giving further suggestions on how to maintain good behaviour.
Providing unrivalled insight into the importance of communication and the psychology that underpins it, the book breaks behaviour down to a granular level, offering tried and trusted responses to virtually every conceivable classroom behaviour scenario at primary and secondary levels.
Part A: What can I say? 1. The student who keeps turning up late 2. The student who keeps shouting out 3. The student with their head on the desk 4. The class that uses unkind “banter” 5. The student who is a persistent pen tapper 6. The class that misbehaves for cover teachers 7. The class that always ask to go to the toilet 8. The student who argues back 9. The class that likes to wrestle and bump into each other 10. The class that packs up before you’re finished 11. The student who is late to ask for homework help 12. The student who comes into class in the wrong uniform 13. The class that ridicules other students’ contributions 14. The student who responds “don’t know” to questions 15. The student who constantly fidgets 16. The class that shouts across the room to each other 17. The student who never completes all the tasks 18. The student who swears in your class 19. The class that mocks your mistakes 20. The student who gives in quickly when attempting tasks 21. The class that asks if they can work off warnings 22. The class that ostracises a student 23. The student who rocks back on their chair 24. The class that’s noisy when they’re meant to be quiet 25. The class that complains about your seating plan 26. The student with poor presentation of work 27. The class that throws things around the room 28. The class that is reluctant to respond to feedback 29. The student who misbehaves in your first lesson 30. The class that is unsettled by a new student 31. The student who makes deliberately distracting noises 32. The student who doesn’t care about detentions 33. The class that claims your sanctions are unfair 34. The class that talks over you 35. The student who says your lessons are boring 36. The student who struggles to deal with frustration 37. The class that is reluctant to answer questions 38. The class that is reluctant to edit and improve work 39. The student who makes misogynistic comments 40. The student who keeps turning around in their chair 41. The class that is unsettled by the presence of a wasp 42. The student who shouts at you 43. The student who mocks your attempt at humour 44. The class that encourages you to digress to avoid work 45. The class that you really dislike teaching 46. The student who rolls their eyes at you 47. The student who ignores your instructions 48. The class that is unsettled by visitors to the classroom 49. The class that talks over each other 50. The students who hate sitting next to each other 51. The student who is a prolific doodler 52. The class that is hard work for the last period of the day 53. The class that’s unsettled while a student is thinking 54. The class that doesn’t mind negative phone calls home 55. The student who keeps looking out of the window 56. The class that makes subtle racist “jokes” 57. The class that ridicules students for working hard 58. The student who only works when you’re stood over them 59. The student who falls asleep in lessons 60. The class that takes ages to find the relevant section 61. The student who avoids challenging work 62. The student who won’t leave the room when asked 63. The class that asks for a fun end-of-term lesson 64. The class that uses homophobic language 65. The class that doesn’t do their homework 66. The student who says the topic is boring 67. The class that is noisy when you circulate the room 68. The class that’s deflated by poor assessment results 69. The student who breaks wind or burps during a lesson 70. The class that asks to listen to music while working 71. The class that passes notes around 72. The students who are demotivated by “low ability” grouping 73. The class that makes negative comments about colleagues 74. The student who keeps asking silly questions 75. The class that questions the point of the subject 76. The class that’s unsettled by social time issues 77. The student who says they’re rubbish at the subject 78. The student who makes a dramatic exit when asked to leave 79. The class that won’t settle 80. The class that keeps using their mobile phone in lessons Part B: You say it best when you say nothing at all 81. Stop talking 82. Look at the board 83. Listen to me 84. Don’t do what you’re about to do 85. Stop doing that now 86. Sit down 87. Settle down 88. Well done 89. You should be reading 90. Start writing 91. I can see what you’re doing 92. Focus on your work 93. Turn around 94. Get a move on 95. Develop your point further 96. I’m waiting for silence 97. I’d like you to answer my question 98. I’m really quite annoyed now 99. Stop moving 100. Come here – I want a word
Biography
Mark Roberts is Director of Research at a Carrickfergus Grammar School in Northern Ireland. Previously, he has worked at schools in Devon and Manchester. Mark writes books and articles about teaching and studying English and is also a frequent contributor to TES on subjects including pedagogy, behaviour, leadership and educational research.
"Like a GPS for your mouth, The Behaviour Whisperer helps teachers decide what to say (and what not to say) at every turn."
Peps Mccrea, Director of Education at Steplab
"This is an incredibly helpful and practical book, which demystifies the often complex and emotionally draining issue of classroom behaviour. Mark’s key principles and classroom scenarios guide teachers at all career stages with exceptionally clear and structured advice. This is the book I wish I’d have had when I started teaching – a must-read."
Rachel Ball, assistant principal and history teacher
"The strategies that Mark Roberts shares in The Behaviour Whisperer are clear, practical, and informed by a cocktail of research and hard-earned experience. Learning how to respond to the 100 common scenarios set out in this book shouldn't be a matter of trial and error, and with The Behaviour Whisperer, it doesn't have to be."
Jon Hutchinson, Director of Curriculum & Teacher Development at the Reach Foundation
"Times are changing when it comes to behaviour management. For many years, advice was freely given based on hunches and good intentions. Now, with the arrival of The Behaviour Whisperer, we have a beautiful blend of psychological research findings along with practical strategies. This combination of evidence-informed approach and personal experience provides a perfect formula for proactive and positive change."
Bradley Busch, chartered psychologist and director of InnerDrive
"It’s fair to say that, since Covid-19, behaviour has got even more challenging for teachers. For those who want to get better, it can seem like an alchemy, that’s almost impossible to master. Fear not! This timely, enjoyable book, packed with research, humour and concise advice will help you on your way. Written by a leader in school, who is walking the walk, The Behaviour Whisperer doesn’t promise to wave a magic wand but instead acknowledges the complexity of behaviour and acts as a book of spells teachers can keep close – a talisman to traverse the challenging terrain."
Haili Hughes, Principal Lecturer, Director of Education, former teacher, speaker and author
"The Behaviour Whisperer is the book I wished I had when I started teaching. New teachers are often thrown into the deep end and they have to deal with subtle and complex behaviour problems without the relevant tools, the relevant training or the relevant support to tackle them. This book replaces the learning around behaviour that takes years, for most teachers, through trial and error.
Mark Roberts has succinctly and comprehensively covered a range of scenarios that teachers face daily and weekly in the classroom and shown how we can deal with them without escalating a situation. Each scenario is grounded in common sense and offers tips and reasoned thinking around the choices to be made as a teacher.
Mark Roberts is the Jiminy Cricket of behaviour in the classroom, guiding us on the right path. An excellent book that guides new teachers on how to deal with behaviour and offers established teachers a new perspective on things they often take for granted. Roberts might not make you a real boy, but he will make you an even better teacher in the classroom, as far as behaviour is concerned."
Chris Curtis, author of How to Teach English and head of English in a secondary school
"In The Behaviour Whisperer, Mark Roberts offers essential advice for every teacher on the vital topic of behaviour management. The book is laden with practical insights based on common scenarios. It is underpinned by robust research evidence and a savvy teacher's eye. Whisper about it to every teacher you know!"
Alex Quigley, author and National Content Manager at the Education Endowment Foundation
"A comprehensive guide to classroom management, The Behaviour Whisperer serves as a practical handbook for teachers. Relatable scenarios and research-informed suggestions of how to respond in different situations make this book an invaluable addition to the school CPD library, useful to both new and experienced teachers."
Dr Jo Castelino, assistant curriculum leader of science and homework lead
"As I read The Behaviour Whisperer for the first time, I found myself experiencing something akin to the five stages of grief. I felt guilty, knowing that I had, at one time or another, mishandled each of Roberts’ 100 scenarios in the early stages of my teaching career. Then I moved to a state of bewilderment, perhaps even anger, that my teaching program hadn’t bothered to enlighten me with a fraction of the wisdom contained in this book. By the end, however, this book left me feeling hopeful for a profession that equips all its teachers with the skills they need to run a safe and productive classroom. As an instructional coach in a struggling school, this book is a godsend."
Zach Groshell, PhD, instructional coach and host of the Progressively Incorrect podcast, USA
"Mark Roberts does it again! The Behaviour Whisperer is the perfect addition to every teacher’s bookshelf with clear strategies and micro-scripts to support with promoting effective behaviour. If you’re looking to enhance your practice in the classroom, then this is just the book you need."
Yamina Bibi, assistant headteacher, East London
