Strategies in managing student comments:

• revisit the class contract

• be assertive when challenging the comments being made

• remind students of what behaviours sabotage their chance of being a successful class

• use ‘I’ statements, eg, “I need you to stop saying things like that, as I expect everyone to treat each other with respect in this class”

• have a quiet word with the individuals involved

• follow the school procedures for more overtly hostile, bullying or abusive comments.