Whether you're a new teacher, a seasoned veteran, or anywhere in between, you likely have the experience of trying to teach when a student refuses to work. In schools, it's sometimes simply called a “work refusal”. It's the scenario when a student, for some reason, just refuses to start the work you give them.
Sometimes when a student refuses to work, they just rest their head on their desk or act out in anger. At times the teacher might be told, "I'm not doing this." Other times, students just will not complete the assignment.
When a student refuses to work, it can be extremely frustrating. So what can you do? In this post, you discover:
- Quick To Do / Don't Do List with Students Who Refuse to Work
- 8 Brain-Based Strategies for Work Refusal
- FAQ About Work Refusal
- Classroom Climate Strategies
- Suggested Resources
Let me say, that sometimes our lessons themselves can have little to no impact if a student refuses to work. So let's tackle this challenge with techniques and methods.
What to Do (and Don't) When Students Refuse to Work
If you're reading on your phone, you'll probably appreciate this quick list. And if this is all you read, you'll probably take away a few great ideas to help when a student refuses to work.
To Do
To Avoid
Conclusion
When a student refuses to work, it can often take an artful balance of just the right techniques from the teacher. This is not easy, but a few tools in your teaching repertoire can help.
Let's dig deeper into a few teaching tools.
9 Brain-Based Strategies for Work Refusal
Thanks to Todd Finley for inspiring these eight strategies that focus on the whole child by enhancing student-teacher relationships and personalizing learning. They are:
- Learn What They Love
- Chunk Tasks
- Show You Care
- Increase Focus
- Be Consistent
- Diagnose Reading Problems
- Try Video Mentors
- Give Choices
- Praise Small Victories
Credit: Todd Finley, todd-finley.com
FAQ About Work Refusal
These are frequently asked questions that we've received about students who refuse to work in class.
What can I do when a student refuses to work in class?
What is a student refusal to work contract?
Do I need to document everything I do?
Can I use peer pressure to motivate students who refuse to work?
What if the student is just lazy?
What if a student refuses to work in a group?
What are reasons for student work refusal?
Classroom Climate Strategies
Sometimes subtle changes in the classroom climate or atmosphere can impact students in positive ways. The follow classroom climate strategies may be all that's need to help some students who refuse to work in class.
- Emphasis on effort and growth over high scores and achievement. (More on growth mindset)
- Encourage risk-taking. Celebrate student attempts even when inaccurate, that's how we grow!
- Make students feel welcomed by greeting them at the door, giving high-fives, and hold conversations about student life.
- Ensure smooth and effortless classroom transitions.
- Create calm spots in the room for when students need to unwind or be alone.
- Minimize distractions (if they exists). This includes windows, other students, the door way, or noises.
Resources: When a Student Refuses to Work
Real Talk
Real Talk About Classroom Management: 50 Best Practices That Work and Show You Believe in Your Students
Hacking Engagement
Hacking Engagement: 50 Tips & Tools To Engage Teachers and Learners Daily
Hacking Management
Hacking Classroom Management: 10 Ideas To Help You Become the Type of Teacher They Make Movies About
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