How To Handle A Student Who Talks Back

So you give a student a direction or enforce a consequence and they respond with back-talk.

• “I didn’t do anything!”
• “Whatever you say, duh.”
• “That’s so stupid!”

Not much gets under a teacher’s skin more. It’s clear disrespect that also challenges your authority in front of the class.

It can make you want to chew them out and put them in their place.

But if you can calm yourself and keep your wits about you, there is a far more effective way to handle it.

Here’s how:

Don’t Even Be There

You can avoid back-talk from ever happening by not waiting for a response. Every time you give a direction or consequence to an individual student, it’s always best to turn and walk away.

Don’t give them a chance to respond.

If you wait in front of them—as many teachers habitually do—then you will get a reaction. Your quick exit avoids this while also sending the message that your authority is nonnegotiable.

Don’t React

If in the rare chance a student talks back as you’re walking away, then pretend you didn’t hear them. Continue with whatever you were doing before.

Teach as if the incident never happened.

Don’t look in their direction. Don’t show frustration. Don’t be stern or display any emotion. Your non-reaction shows that you’re impenetrable. There is no use even trying to get a reaction out of you.

Wait

Continue in this vein for at least 15 minutes, but up to an hour or more is perfectly okay. You’re simply going to wait until the student has forgotten about the incident.

Don’t look at them directly but be aware of when they’ve moved on.

If they smile or engage normally with other students, you can be sure that they’re no longer thinking about what happened. They may even feel as if they’ve gotten one over on you.

Enforce

Once you’ve confirmed that their focus has shifted, and it’s convenient for you, approach them casually and from the side.

If possible, you don’t want them to see you coming.

Say their name to get their attention and then matter-of-factly enforce the next consequence for breaking rule number four (disrespect). This time be sure and turn away immediately after you stop speaking.

A Stone in the Sun

This will be your go-to strategy whenever a student talks back. Remember, when teaching lessons, you have a green light to show your personality.

Let it rip.

Teach with passion. Playact, emote, dance, story-tell, sing, laugh, and dramatize. Bring your subject to life for your students.

In all other things, however—directions, monitoring routines, enforcing consequences, providing information—you’re as still and calm as a stone in the sun.

PS – Check out this week’s YouTube videos:

1. What to Do When a Student Refuses to Do What You Ask

2. Why Trying Harder Makes Classroom Management Worse

3. The One Thing That Makes Students Take You Seriously

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