My first step in addressing the disruptive student would be to conference with him privately to try and gain insight into why he is behaving in the manner you described. I would create an incentive system to encourage positive behavior choices. At first I would recognize positive behavior choices during small segments of time and eventually increase the time period expectations. If that is unsuccessful, I would arrange to conference with the parents, but I would also include to the student in the meeting. Before holding the conference I would have detailed notes that describe examples of his behavior.

I do agree with the previous suggestion about first speaking to the student and communicating your expectations. The following system has worked really well with attention seeking disruptive students, especially those who want to be the class clown. I draw a personal behavior contract with them where they are allowed to host their own "Stand Up Comedy" session at the end of the class period for about 3-4 minutes. This system allows the student to gain their classmates' attention in a positive manner, with the teacher's permission. The entire class looks forward to the stand up comedy session.

I would establish a reward system for this student to motivate and encourage him. The attention seeking behaviors should make a switch from negative to positive. You can start small by breaking your class up into timed increments. (If he can stay in one area without disruptions he can get a star on his chart or whatever positive behavior system you establish.) Later, you can move on to going the whole class period without disruptions and he may get a star after every class. Before implementing this plan, you would need to go over it in detail with the student and establish a reward.

Since it seems that this student is desperate for attention, maybe you could give him classroom 'jobs.' He could help you pass out papers or be in charge of certain classroom duties. I have had students like this and before I contact home, I give them various classroom responsibilities to see if keeping them super busy will decrease the disruptions.

Have a private conference with the student and let him know that his behavior is not tolerated. In a case like this, I feel that moving swiftly is the best choice because you don't want his distractions having lingering effects of students not being able to pay attention to what is being taught. Once you do that, if he still wants to be disruptive, I would send a note to the parents or call a parent conference. If it continues after that, send him to the administration and let them deal with the problem as long as you have done all that you can do.

I agree with the first two solutions. I think addressing why this student finds the need to 'get everyone's attention' and then work through this attention seeking behavior with the student seems to work. Maybe the student just wants someone to laugh at him and find him funny, maybe the student isn't getting enough attention at home. You can maybe set up a contract with the student like for however long the student does not get up and disrupt the class you will verbally praise that student aloud or something.

I have heard a lot of teachers complain about this type of behavior. I think many times there is an underlining issue and these students are looking for an outlet to get attention. The most appropriate steps a teacher should take in my opinion is that they should speak wit the student privately to determine the reason for the behavior. If the student does not lead on to anything beneficial than the teacher needs to use judgement to determine the best approach to the behavioral consequences. I believe a behavioral point sheet may be helpful in this situation. Students will use the point sheet to mark off positive behavior throughout a lesson or class. When the student reaches the goal for their point sheet they can be rewarded with something specific to the student's interests, otherwise it will not work. Rewards are great but sometimes they need to be discrete because some students do not like the positive attention. Teachers should use judgement on this and determine the best way to reward a student.

Positive and negative reinforcement.

Give him things to do that get him out of the classroom. If this does not work, make him a spot seperate from other students where he can stay for awhile and not be disruptive.