Low level disruption

One of the most useful ways to think of challenging classes, I have found, is to think about them in 4 sub groups, I find this more empowering. Some 'groups' will always be more challenging than others:

1. The high flyers - The top 5 who always do the right thing.

2. The workers - The "salt of the earth" who generally do the right thing, the majority 15.

3. The either ways - Those that can be influenced, the lower middle 8.

4. The desperate 2 - The 2 (maximum 3) that cause the fundamental disruption.

This is based on behaviour not academic ability and the caveat being that children do not fit neatly into groups and they often change groups, but I try to think of the group into which they most often fall.

Group 1 are the second target group, they must be praised for their consistent conscientiousness.
Group 2 I try to maintain a warm positive glow with.
Group 3 I see as the target group: this group have the potential to change the learning environment one way or the other. I see this group as the target audience for the desperate 2 and they often return maximum dividend for minimum effort. If this group are on task quickly, excuses are removed and you know them well, this can make a huge difference.
Group 4 I find will either then conform or not turn up; starving them of attention through the management of sub-group 3 is key. However, I try not to judge my quality as a teacher by my capacity to manage the desperate 2!