Bump 5 Diffusing the Power Struggle

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Bump 5Diffusing the Power Struggle

• Classroom Management
• EDUC 4454

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Characteristics of Power-oriented Students

• natural leaders who think about themselves
• often have few friends
• usually intelligent but dont work
• good verbal skills
• read social situations well
• observant/know what buttons to push
• seek control over the classroom
• easily angered

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• The teacher has to cooperate with the student if
  the power struggle is to continue.
• It is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL that the teacher
  realize that the object of the student is to
  place the teacher into a situation where the
  teachers feels he/she must demand the student
  obey.

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What Can You Do?

• Ignore if it doesnt affect teaching and learning
  in the classroom.
• Use humour or a change of situation to short
  circuit it
• Make student aware that you are not interested in
  playing the game
• You throw the ball into the students court
• Provide a choice
• Student leaves because of the severity of the
  behaviour and the disruption to the class

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Defuse the Situation

• Stop teaching and pause.
• Square off.
• Make eye contact.
• Take a few deep breaths.
• Deal with the allies.
• Do or say something to shift the focus of
  control.
• Pause and allow the student to save face
• Bring closureSay Thank you.

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• The first person to raise his/her voice has
  lost
• Its usually the teacher.
• Learn to recognize and respond to power
  struggles calmly.