Why Middle School Behavior Is Unique

Middle school students undergo rapid social, emotional, and cognitive development. These changes influence attention, motivation, and peer interactions. Research confirms that proactive and consistent behavior strategies significantly decrease disruptions and improve time-on-task (Hunter & Haydon, 2018).

Key Behavior Concepts

• On-task behavior: Students actively engaged in the learning activity.
• Active supervision: Moving throughout the room, scanning, and interacting with students.
• Precorrection: Teaching expectations before problematic behavior occurs.
• Positive reinforcement: Acknowledging desired behaviors to increase consistency.
• Classroom norms: Shared expectations for behavior, transitions, and interactions.

Understanding Common Behavior Challenges

• Peer conflict and social tension
• Inconsistent routines during teacher absences
• Difficulty with transitions and downtime
• Testing limits with unfamiliar adults

Foundational Techniques

• Precorrection: State expectations before the activity begins.
• Explicit timing: Give a countdown for transitions or independent work.
• Active supervision: Move, scan, and interact positively.
• Low-key redirections: Quick, calm prompts to keep students on track.

Maintaining Classroom Stability

Studies demonstrate that substitutes who implement consistent routines and proactive management strategies reduce disruptions—especially in high-needs settings (Hunter & Haydon, 2018; Reupert et al., 2023).

• Start class with a clear agenda on the board.
• Use the same hand signals or cues as the regular teacher when possible.
• Provide structure during transitions.
• Use a calm, predictable tone to maintain authority.

Classroom Management Toolkit (Downloadable)

• Editable Behavior Documentation Form
• Daily Classroom Checklist
• Communication Log Template
• Student Engagement Strategies Quick Guide

The Importance of Shared Vocabulary

Substitute teachers benefit greatly from learning the instructional language commonly used in middle school environments. Shared vocabulary improves clarity, ensures consistency, and reduces student confusion (Lockwood et al., 2015; Hunter & Haydon, 2018).

Key Terms Every Substitute Should Know

• IEP: Individualized Education Program for students receiving special education services.
• 504 Plan: A plan providing classroom accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Learning objective: A clear target for what students should learn during the lesson.
• Bell ringer / Do Now: A short opening activity to begin class.
• Exit ticket: A short activity to assess student understanding at the end of class.
• Differentiation: Adjusting instruction to meet different needs.

Communicating with Staff & Stakeholders

• Contact the main office for behavior incidents or concerns.
• Leave detailed written feedback for the teacher.
• Clarify expectations with support staff when needed.
• Use templates for communication logs and daily notes.