Behavior Management
Students enjoy classrooms with a good management plan. In fact, students desire interesting, engaging teachers who create an effective learning environment. Watch a veteran teacher who has strong management skills. Somehow, management becomes nearly invisible, and the teacher seems relaxed and confident while students appear to be engaged and learning. How do they do this? It doesn’t happen by accident. Experience helps, but one difference is a strong management plan that builds on a foundation of good teacher/student relationships, clear expectations with consequences, and thoughtful organization that empowers instruction. A strong, well-thought-out plan prevents management problems before they arise.
What intervention strategies do you use to handle student behaviors?
I believe model and practice is so effective. From day one set expectations and then model everything. How to sharpen a pencil. How to line up. Morning routine are all things we model and practice: If we are out a few days or on a break we practice those expectations again. I believe positive practice works so much better than any consequece.
I try to find a balance between positive reinforcement and consequences. We do a lot of modeling in the class so that students understand what the expectations are for the year. We also discuss the fact that there are consequences to actions. We discuss what the consequences might be and I encourage the students to come up with reasonable consequences. This way they are involved in the process and have ownership of what happens. This also cuts down on frustrations because the students have their rules and consequences they have to follow.
