The PBIS World Book

Speak With Student In Hallway

Why should I do it:

  • It is a quick method to de-escalate a student
  • It keeps you in a calm state of mind
  • Prevents students from gaining attention from the class
  • Prevents power struggles
  • Reduces embarrassment to the student
  • Prevents the student from causing a scene
  • Prevents students from challenging teachers in front of the class
  • Allows students to “save face”
  • Gains focus and attention of the student
  • Increases or improves the teacher/student interpersonal relationship

When should I do it:

  • When you are processing a problem with a student
  • When student is reluctant to follow your directives
  • When student is trying to verbally engage you in an argument
  • When a student is disruptive or misbehaving
  • When a student is off task
  • When a student seems upset
  • When a student is overly sensitive
  • When you foresee a student overreacting
  • With students that like to make a scene in front of the class
  • When a student is seeking attention from classmates
  • After you have asked or addressed a student several times and they have not responded or persist

How do I do it:

  • In a calm, neutral, non-threatening manner, ask to speak with the student in the hall
  • Stand away from the door out of the line of sight of the class
  • Give the student choices if they will not go into the hall, for example, “Johnny, please step into the hall with me or go to the office”
  • Use a quiet voice in the hall to avoid disruptions to others and to keep the interaction with the student calm
  • This technique takes a lot of patience, support, self-control and self-talk
  • Be aware of your own physiological cues to getting angry, annoyed, offended, disrespected and frustrated
  • When you have those feelings/thoughts, say to yourself talk yourself out of losing your temper
  • Use “I” statements, ie: “I would like for you to make a choice between doing your work at your desk or at another desk” Rather than “you need to make a choice now about where you are going to do your work”
  • If possible, remove yourself from a tense situation before talking to the student to calm down
  • Always provide consequences to students in the most non-emotional state possible.
  • In addition, you may speak with a student in the hallway to let them know they are doing a great job with something, like putting up with or working with a certain student, etc