By Robin MellomA Plan for Managing a Difficult Class
You’ve got your rules posted. You practiced procedures. You gave them classroom jobs and tried every call-and-response on the planet. But it’s still chaos.
If you’re searching “how to manage a difficult class” you’re not the only one!
Every teacher hits a moment when the basics don’t cut it.
This post is your next step.
I’m going to show you how to go beyond countdowns and behavior charts and instead create a system where students start managing themselves inside a structure you designed.
And it works even with your most squirrelly group.
First, let’s take a look at how to manage the writing workshop.
Flip the Script: Your Job Isn’t to Manage Every Minute
If you’re constantly giving reminders, redirecting behavior, and trying to keep the class on track… that’s not a management issue. That’s a “procedures” issue.
Students don’t need you to micromanage them. They need you to train them, then hand over the keys.
And that’s exactly what a student-led workshop makes possible. Here’s what this looks like:
- A student grabs the journals as the bell rings and puts them on desks.
- Another student sets up the timer and instrumental music.
- A third walks up front to lead the day’s writing warm-up.
You’re still greeting students at the door. No begging. No lecturing. No scramble. And yes, this works with real kids in real classrooms. But only when you put certain proactive systems in place first.
Start Here: 3 Proactive Systems
If you haven’t done these yet, this is your first fix:
1. DON’T Assign Writer’s Workshop Leaders Right Away: Play It Cool
Instead of saying, “We’re going to have classroom jobs!” say: “You’re not quite ready for that yet. First, I need to see if you can handle something more important…”
Use a favorite writing activity (like my Voice Challenge) as the gateway. Once they show they can handle it, invite them to level up.
💡 Pro tip: With older kids (especially 8th graders), wait until they’ve experienced a few workshop sessions. Then hand out leadership jobs once they realize the workshop is actually… kinda cool.
2. Keep the Routine the Same, Then Add Voice + Choice
Predictability is everything. Students know:
- A leader starts the warm-up.
- You teach for 7 minutes, timed.
- They write in silence or near-silence.
- They share in trios or reflect.
Within that structure? Freedom.
They choose their writing path, their topic, and even their revision goal. That’s how you build buy-in without letting go of control.
3. Build the Culture Before You Enforce It
Train your first set of leaders before the rest of the class watches them. Pull them during lunch, show them the scripts, model the “saunter in and flop at your desk” move. Let them rehearse the right way.
The rest of the class will fall in line when they see their peers modeling it with confidence.
But What If It’s Still Not Working???
Even with all of this in place, some classes (or some students) will test the limits. Here’s how to respond without losing your voice or your sanity.
🔁 Step 1: Protect & Defend the Writing Time
If one or two students can’t handle the structure of workshop, quietly hand them an alternate assignment: a writing-based worksheet (like sentence combining).
You're not punishing them... you’re protecting the experience for the rest of the class. No big announcements, no drama. Just a clear message:
“This writing time matters. And you’ll still write, just a different way.”
🤫 Step 2: Master the Calm Countdown Hack
You’ve counted to 5. They didn’t get quiet. Now what? Try this strategy I learned in the teacher’s lounge at a difficult school. This is pretty much what they ALL did and my students were bummed when I learned the trick. haha
- Put your hands in your pockets.
- Quietly count up (1, 2, 3, 4...).
- Each second equals how much time they lose later (recess, transition, etc.).
Once they quiet down, put the number on the board. They can earn time back through positive behavior.
One of my students once whispered, “Oh no… they told her about the counting thing.”
It works.
🎯 Step 3: Track Goals and Celebrate Like It’s a Sport
Start tracking team goals:
- “Did we transition in under 90 seconds?”
- “Did we meet our writing goals today?”
- “Did we finish the mini-lesson in 7 minutes?”
Use tallies, marbles, or any visible tracker. On Fridays, reward them with “Chill Friday” minutes. Give them tactile options like board games, bracelets, cup stacking, music... and they’ll work for that time like it’s gold.
Want the Full Breakdown?
🎧 Listen to the full episode: Ep 3: Classroom Management in a Student-Led Writing Workshop
Happy Writing!
~Robin