The idea of collaborative problem solving with my own children is completely obtainable. I am usually dealing with them on a one on one basis, I can take a moment, discuss with my child and work on a solution. In a classroom, however, there is more of a challenge. I have 27 other students in my class and to be able to take time away from other students to deal with the bad behavior is more difficult. The quote "there is nothing fabulous to do in the heat of the moment" resonates with me. I don't react when a student is misbehaving. I don't argue. I don't punish. I simply say "step in the hallway, take a moment, come back in when you are ready". When one or both of the people in an argument are all work up, there is no chance for effective communication. I then have the student come to my classroom for a short time at the beginning of lunch and we try to work it out using a modified collaborative process.
