Question: How Do You Calm a Chaotic Middle or High School Classroom?

Even the most experienced teachers know the feeling: a class period starts off rocky, a transition goes sideways, or a small disruption snowballs. Suddenly the room feels out of control, and in middle and high school settings, where students often bring big emotions and shifting attention spans, these moments are especially common. Our question is: how do you quickly calm a chaotic middle or high school classroom?

We’re collecting effective, practical strategies for restoring order when things go off the rails. These might be quiet resets, proactive routines, or quick shifts in tone or activity that help reestablish a sense of focus. Edutopia Senior Editor Anne Noyes Saini is working on a feature story that explores how teachers manage these pivotal moments, and your responses could help shape that article.

We’d love to hear from you:

• What’s your go-to move when a class gets loud, restless, or distracted?
• Are there specific cues, routines, or phrases you’ve found that consistently help reset the tone?
• Have you tried any methods that didn’t work as planned? What did you learn from that?
• How do you balance the need for calm with maintaining strong relationships and student autonomy?

Whether your approach is rooted in mindfulness, humor, structured routines, or something else entirely, your insights can help other teachers navigate the tricky moments that come with classroom life. Jump into the discussion and share what’s worked for you.

More on How to Calm a Middle or High School Classroom

Are you looking for resources on this topic? Check out our Classroom Management page. In addition, you may be interested in the following:

• 7 Classroom Management Mistakes—and the Research on How to Fix Them
• Facing Cell Phone Distractions Head-On (video)
• 34 Ways to Quiet a Rambunctious Class
• How Breaking Up Lectures Can Improve Student Learning
• Balancing Friendliness With Firmness
• How to Create a Values-Driven Classroom
• A Daily Ritual That Builds Trust and Community Among Students

At Edutopia, we're looking for educators to share their strategies. If you have ideas that go beyond what can be shared in the comments, visit our Write for Us page.

Thank you for sharing your strategies with us. If you have questions of your own, feel free to post them here—our community facilitators are ready to help!