Expectations - Systems - Rewards
Positive and proactive behavior management strategies will influence the tone and success of any classroom. Expectations, systems and rewards implemented with fidelity will increase student success by creating a predictable learning environment that enhances students' academic skills and social/emotional competencies.
Teaching Expectations
Teaching clear and precise expectations around the classroom helps improve positive student behavior.
With consistent expectations, students know what's expected of them throughout the school day. This allows them to feel more confident, engaged and safe in the classroom community. Teachers are also able to recognize and reward positive behaviors for following expectations. With clear and precise expectations unwanted behaviors will decrease and connection will increase.
Practice Expectations
Whenever you introduce a new procedure, routine, center, anything - practice, practice, practice! Practice walking in the hallways, how to get a book from the classroom library and how to put it back, how to quietly walk to specialist and back, how to get your folder, everything. Practice until it's perfect. If ever they start to slip at any time of the year, practice it again like it's the first day of school. When you come back from breaks, sometimes they forget to ask permission to leave their seat or all of a sudden have an appetite for eating paper... Practice and model correct behavior again. Don't be afraid to practice how to line up for the bathroom in December - sometimes they need a reminder.
With consistent expectations, students know what's expected of them throughout the school day. This allows them to feel more confident, engaged and safe in the classroom community. Teachers are also able to recognize and reward positive behaviors for following expectations. With clear and precise expectations unwanted behaviors will decrease and connection will increase.
Practice Expectations
Whenever you introduce a new procedure, routine, center, anything - practice, practice, practice! Practice walking in the hallways, how to get a book from the classroom library and how to put it back, how to quietly walk to specialist and back, how to get your folder, everything. Practice until it's perfect. If ever they start to slip at any time of the year, practice it again like it's the first day of school. When you come back from breaks, sometimes they forget to ask permission to leave their seat or all of a sudden have an appetite for eating paper... Practice and model correct behavior again. Don't be afraid to practice how to line up for the bathroom in December - sometimes they need a reminder.
Implementing Systems
Systems are an integral part of a positive, proactive classroom. Systems should be developed, taught and posted for productive classrooms. When a teacher has robust integrated Tier 1 systems that target individuals, small groups and the whole class students behavior and academic progress increase.
Rewarding Positive Behavior
Positive reinforcement reinforces what the student is doing positively in the classroom or learning environment. It increases the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated. Using reward and positive reinforcement gives teachers and other school personnel the opportunity to catch students helping their community be successful.
