Keeping control of the class

Drama is fun, and unless the teacher is particularly unpopular drama has always been – and will always remain – a lesson option picked by some hoping to get an easy ride and have a bit of a muck about. You can expect a couple of students in any class in any year to take advantage of the practical nature of drama lessons, that's just the way it is, but unfortunately it only takes a couple of students to turn a great class, fully engaged in their work, into confusion – all focus lost.

Be clear on the rules and consequences of not following them. Write a list of behaviour expectations and spend time with your class going over these, asking for student's thoughts; do they think the rules are fair? Any suggested changes? By giving students some ownership over the code of conduct they become less approving of disruptive behaviour affecting their work.