When you think about your ideal classroom, you are probably thinking of a well managed classroom where you can focus on teaching students and students learning. In order to have a classroom that functions this way, you have to TEACH students how you want to act. Today, I am going to share my classroom management strategies.
Create Routines
You start by teaching routines. I wrote a blog about this last week and definitely recommend you go back and read it, if you missed it. Once students know the routines, you want to focus on reinforcing what students are doing right. Teaching and practicing classroom routines and procedures is the BEST way to reduce classroom behaviors. Children want to know what is coming next. Students’ anxiety can be reduced if they know what to expect.
Read About It
We can not assume that children know what it means to be a student or a friend, so we have to teach them. I like to start with a good book. There are so many wonderful back to school read alouds that talk about classroom and school rules, and how to be a good friend. By reading books, your students will start to make personal connections to what it means to be a good student. It will give you something to reference for the rest of the year. Some of my favorite books include We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, Recess Queen, My Mouth is a Volcano, Pout Pout Fish and the Bully, Bully Shark, and The Crayon Box That Talked
Pout-Pout Fish and the Bully-Bully Shark is a great book to start the year off. Everyone thinks the shark is really mean, but it turns out, he just doesn’t know the rules! He needs to learn them. After we read the book, we complete the picture sort, the craft, and then write/draw about it.
Specific Praise
Once students know how be a good student, point on when they are showing you that they are being a good student. Be specific so they know what behavior to repeat. Instead of saying, “Good job, Johnny,” tell Johnny what he is doing a good job at. “Johnny, I like how your are sitting quietly.” If Johnny sits quietly a lot, this is not that hard. When students follow the rules, it easy to compliment them. The challenge is the students who are not following the rules.
Focus on Positive Behavior
I am going to focus on one behavior, talking, but this applies to a multitude of behaviors. If Johnny is a talker, you may find your self saying, “Johnny be quiet.” If you focus on what Johnny is doing wrong, he will start to focus on what he is doing wrong, and feel like a failure. He does not want to disappoint you, his teacher, he just hasn’t developed his impulse control yet. If you are constantly nagging Johnny to be quiet, you will eventually become frustrated with Johnny because he is NEVER quiet (we have all had that student). Save your sanity (reduce your stress), and your relationship with Johnny by focusing on what he is doing right. Maybe Johnny is really good at pushing chairs or passing out papers. Take some time to think about what Johnny does well, and focus on complimenting him on what he is doing well. If you think about what he does well, you will stop focusing on what he does wrong. You will have a better relationship with Johnny and he will want to please you.
Do you ignore that talking? No. First, I would point out who is following the rules and why it is important. “I like how Jacob is sitting quietly on the carpet so all of our friends can hear the book.” “I like how Anna raised her hand before she spoke. This allows all of our friends the opportunity to share.” Because you have worked at developing a relationship Johnny, he will want to please you, and he will stop talking too. Does this happen right away? No. There may be times you have to pull Johnny to the side and talk to him his talking. But, do it in a loving manner. Remind him, in private, why he needs to sit quietly. A good rule of thumb is a minimum of 5 positive interactions for every negative interaction.
Incentives
There is a lot of discussion about intrinsic motivation. I think this is essential as children get older. They need to understand why it important to do the right thing because it the right thing. Not because they are going to get a toy or another prize. However, I think kids need time to mature and understand why it is important to do the right thing. In the beginning, they may need a reason for doing the right thing. I do not think this always has to be a prize. Sometimes, it can be for praise. Sometimes, they may not get anything. But, sometimes I give my students a tap or a brag bracelet. A tap is a tap on the shoulder, and they get a sticker or mini-eraser (Target Dollar Spot). I also love Brag Bracelets. These are a way to give kids specific praise. I often write inside the bracelet what they did to earn the bracelet. This is an easy way to communicate with parents. It also follows the specific praise rule listed above.
At the beginning of the year and during times when my class needs a review of expectations, I will give them specific behavior targets. Today, I will give brag tags to students who walk quietly in the hallway. Then, I make sure every single child earns one. Giving every child the opportunity to earn an incentive is a way to build classroom community.
❤ Creating a Caring Classroom Community
❤Classroom Routines and Procedures,
