Are you looking for hacks for teaching students not to make inappropriate statements or sounds? If so, keep reading.

1. Make sure that the learner’s feelings are considered when it is appropriate to deal with their unacceptable remarks (i.e., handle remarks so that the learner’s enthusiasm for participation is not diminished).

2. Get the learner to practice waiting for a turn to speak for short periods. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for a turn to speak.

3. Give the learner an easily grasped list of consequences for unacceptable behavior.

4. Show the learner that they may be trying too hard to fit in and that they should relax and make more appropriate remarks.

5. Get the learner to put themselves in someone else’s place (e.g., “How would you feel if someone called you dumb or stupid?”).

6. Praise the learner for raising their hand to be recognized.

7. Urge the learner to review their thoughts before speaking and make sure their thoughts have not already been expressed by someone else; the same question asked, etc.

8. Urge the learner to avoid ingesting any substance (e.g., drugs, alcohol, cold remedies, etc.) that might further alter their capacity and ability to keep self-control.

9. Make sure that the learner is individually supervised if they continue to make unnecessary noise.

10. Assist the learner in understanding why it is essential to work quietly (e.g., if you are making unnecessary noise, you may not hear what is being said; others will not listen to you, etc.).

11. Get the learner to be the leader of a cooperative learning experience if they possess a mastery of skills or an interest in that area.

 12. Get the learner to make a list of consequences associated with regularly occurring behaviors (e.g., “By disrupting others, I will be perceived as unmannerly.” “By making unnecessary noises, I will cause people to avoid me.”).

13. Make sure that reinforcement is not provided for unacceptable behavior(e.g., making unnecessary remarks or noises).

14. Give the learner a predetermined signal if they begin to make unacceptable remarks or unnecessary noises.

15. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

18. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.