T O P I C :

How Do You Break-up a Fight?

Brian asks: We've had several examples of kids behaving pseudo badly, but if a kid is dangerous or out-of-control, I would have no idea how to physically intervene in an appropriate way. How do you break-up a fight without hurting a student?

Posted September 29, 2008

R E S P O N S E :

Hands Off!

Lindsay Smith writes: I asked the same question on the first week of my rotation after seeing a fight and not really knowing what to do. My first reaction was to jump in between the girls, yes girls, and yell at them to stop and break up the fight. However, I saw the assistant principal running towards the commotion, so I didn’t have to physically do anything.

After telling my mentor and talking with other teachers, I was quickly informed to not physically do ANYTHING during a fight and to immediately find a principal or assistant principal. At first, I didn’t really know what to think of this. It seems like the “right” or “teacher” thing to do to break up the fight, but after hearing horror stories about teachers being beat up, I changed my mind.

Apparently, a younger female teacher at one junior high jumped into a girl fight to break it up and ended up getting beat up by both girls. Sounds like fiction, but my mentor stuck behind the story and told me to steer clear of jumping into fights, even if it feels natural. This is my stance as a female teacher on girl fights; however, I’m not sure how a male teacher would feel about stopping a girl or boy fight. Unless you are actually employed by the school, I would just stay out, unless absolutely necessary.

Posted October 22, 2008

R E S P O N S E :

Tales of Fights Past

John O'Berski writes: So far I have only had to respond to the occasional seventh grade "he's kicking me — he started it" kind of conflict. Usually this can be solved by offering to move the students to new seats.

In the case of a full blown fight, I, too, would be worried about how to step in without anyone getting hurt. I looked up an article on student fights that claimed that most boys will stop fighting when a teacher walks up, but that girls will often refuse to disengage. This particular story is about a teacher in Tulsa who was slammed into a locker by the she-combatants and now needs corrective surgery (http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=9141290).

In my pre-teaching career, I have had the occasion to break up several dogfights (spontaneous and accidental, mind you) and found that getting someone or something in between the angry parties, so they can break out of eye-lock, helps them to come back to themselves. At that point one may be able to use their names to remind them what is expected of them. I would think this could apply to students as well; if we can remove the red flag that taunts them, maybe we can remind them that they are part of a learning community that will not tolerate violence.

Another time, I witnessed a couple of volatile, barrel-shaped collegiates posturing toward a brawl after being bounced from a Dickson Street establishment. Foolish though it was, I put myself between them and waved my hands in a gaze-breaking "whoo-hoo, can you see me" gesture, and said, "Whoa! Hey! Innocent people are out here too! Why doesn't everyone just go back to their own house? The winner of this fight will be rewarded with a night in jail. Listen to your girlfriend over there; do you think she wants you to do this?"

I got called some nasty names, mostly by disappointed by-standers, but the warriors were either reasoned out of their mood or disgusted by my namby-pambyness. Things might have been very different if the fight had already begun. Once, I disrupted a couple that was fist-fighting in the middle of Huntsville Road by using a particularly loud and authoritative voice. "Get out of the street NOW!" I shouted, "You are going to be run over!" This got their attention and they separated.

I have heard that throwing a bucket of (cold) water will separate fighting dogs. You may want to refer to your district rules and procedures as to trying this. I know there is a resource officer at my school, and I would think announcing that he is on the way (as well as calling him to be so) may be effective. Ultimately, I would strive to put distance between brawlers, rather than trying to subdue either one.

Posted October 24, 2008

R E S P O N S E :

Call for Help

Tonya Seaton writes: Brian, I don’t know what I’d do either. How do you break up a fight without hurting "yourself?" My advice is to pick up the classroom phone/intercom system and call the principal’s office immediately or go get another teacher. Get other students out of the room.... Maybe the fight will cease if they have no audience.

Posted October 26, 2008

R E S P O N S E :

4 Steps to Consider

Julia Bachelor writes: You have asked a great question. At first, I was taken back to my junior high and high school days — fights in the hall and everyone crowding around. I suspect a different tactic is called for by teachers. While I have not been led through any school procedures for how to handle a major disturbance, I will share my thoughts on the steps to take. (I’m relying on my previous three-year stint as a wilderness counselor, so your situation may not call for number 4. In fact, your situation will not call for number 4).

1. Deescalate the situation: Depending on the circumstances, I would first try to deescalate the situation by talking to the students involved and asking them to stop. From your question, I am assuming this has been done and is not working, so I would move to step two.

2. Ensure the safety of students: Now, I would make sure the rest of the students are AWAY from the situation — I might ask them to sit down and stay seated, or move to the hallway and sit against the wall, or move to the back or front of the room and sit down. I would also ask for the rest of the students to be quiet. (A lot of times TELLING them to do these things works well, too.)

3. Call for help: Once the rest of the students are safe, I would use the intercom button or class telephone (whichever your school has) and call the office for help.

At this point you need to continue to ensure the safety of the rest of the students, and possibly continue to try and deescalate the situation between those involved while you wait for help.

4. Restrain: In the situation where there is one kid on another, and it is obvious that one is dominating the other, you may go into a “bear-hug,” a “full nelson,” or if another adult is present, a “two-man to a take down.”

Note of caution: In the three years I was a counselor, I NEVER felt compelled to totally restrain someone, and I did not. I worked with boys, aged 11 through 17, all of whom had been sentenced to our camp, and often I was with them (at the most 12 in a group) alone in camp. Deescalating the situation is ALWAYS possible if you intervene in the beginning.

Another note: We are not wilderness counselors, and we would get fired if we put our hands on a student. Wait for help.

Brian, these are steps I would take for any physical altercation in my classroom; however, now students are using weapons in schools. For a situation involving a knife or a gun, I cannot say that these steps would be correct. I know that some part of them may be, but there must be other procedures we should follow. I believe most schools have procedures for situations like these. My suggestion is to ask your mentor for the procedure manual and a rundown of what to do in these situations.

Posted December 12, 2008

E-mail your suggestions and comments to fbowles@uark.edu