How can I productively react when students misbehave or act up?

There are many different reactions that you COULD have as a teacher when a student acts up. There are also many different interpretations of what "postively reacting" is. For me, I believe it depends on the severity of what the student is doing. If it is simlpy speaking out of turn or being disruptive you could implement various strategies for class participiation. Examples of this are the tickets we used in Theresa's class or the "talking turkey" in Beth's class. If the student's actions are more severe then this, most of the time I would talk to them after class or find a time to talk to them quietly during class that does not single them out. Some students are simply looking for attention from you, find a way to give them this so they do not feel the need to disrupt class. Above all, try and refrain from sending them to the office. This takes away from their learning time and just means that you have to reteach the material later on down the line. Also, is passes the authority down the line to make it appear that you do not know how (or are not willing) to deal with it. Most importantly, the kids who act up need the extra attention. There is also a reason for them acting up that is NOT simply that they are a bad kid. Find a way to relate to the student and work on building a good studen/teacher rapport. Go the extra mile!