Best Practices for managing Disruptive Behavior
Brag Board Example
Building Relationships with students
CKH: Social Contract
Different Form of Brag Boards
Example of a Cool Down Spot
How a Teacher can Affect Behavior Inside the Classroom
How One Teacher went about thinking of ways to create a calm down corner
How Teachers Can Keep Up with Future Technology Trends
https://truthforteachers.com/using-class-dojo-reinforce-positive-behavior/
https://web.seesaw.me/
https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/activity/calm-down-corner/
https://www.remind.com/
IRIS module: Behavior Management
IRIS Module: Classroom Management
IRIS Module: Supporting Students
Motivating Factors of Blended Learning
Positive Professional Practice
Professional Development
Behavior Management and Technology Integration in the Classroom
Overview
This is a template for an inquiry project in a senior level early childhood course.
Purpose of the Project
Behavior Management and Technology Integration in the Classroom
Key Components of Behavior Management
Understanding Behavior
- Analyze reasons behind student behaviors and the impact of the environment.
Establishing Clear Expectations
- Develop and communicate clear rules, ensuring students understand the consequences.
Positive Reinforcement
- Use rewards to encourage desirable behaviors and track positive actions.
Consistent Consequences
- Apply consistent repercussions for inappropriate behavior, explaining the rationale.
Integrating Technology in Behavior Management
Behavior Tracking Apps
- Monitor student behavior in real-time and analyze data for pattern recognition.
Classroom Management Software
- Facilitate communication with students and parents, including behavior reports.
Introduction
In today's schools, it's important to manage the classroom well so that every student can learn and succeed. As teachers, we often need to handle different student behaviors while keeping a positive learning space.
Behavior Management is a plan to help students know what actions, attitudes, and beliefs are acceptable and unacceptable in your classroom. This includes things like classroom expectations, rules, routines, and encouraging positive behavior. When you have good behavior management, you can prevent problems before they happen and reward students for behaving well!
In this module, we will look at key ideas of behavior management and share helpful techniques to positively influence student behavior. We will also see how technology can assist in these efforts, giving you useful tools to improve classroom interactions.
Our goal is to provide you with practical tips and insights that you can use in your classroom. By the end of this module, you will understand effective behavior management practices and how to use technology to support your work, leading to better student engagement and success.
The Importance of Behavior Management
Promotes a Positive Learning Environment
Effective behavior management creates a safe and respectful atmosphere where students feel valued, which can lead to improved academic outcomes.
Examples of Why Behavior Management Creates a Positive Learning Environment:
Clear Rules and Consistency:
Having clear rules helps students understand what is expected of them, making the classroom feel safe and organized.Building Good Relationships:
Good behavior management helps foster positive relationships between teachers and students, making it easier for everyone to participate and learn together.Helping Students Grow Emotionally:
Teaching students about their feelings and how to manage them contributes to a friendly classroom environment where everyone can learn and improve.
Improves Teacher-Student Relationships
A strong behavior management framework allows educators to build trust and rapport with students, leading to better communication and collaboration.
Two Key Points on How Behavior Management Improves Teacher-Student Relationships:
Building Trust and Respect:
Consistent rules help students feel secure and valued, fostering mutual trust and respect between teachers and students.Encouraging Open Communication:
A well-managed classroom creates a safe environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings, leading to better understanding and connection with their teacher.
Reduces Disruptive Behavior
Proactive behavior management strategies help minimize disruptions, allowing teachers to maintain instructional time and enhance learning.
Two Key Points on How Behavior Management Reduces Disruptive Behavior:
Clear Expectations and Consistent Consequences:
Establishing clear rules and consistently applying consequences helps students understand what is acceptable behavior, discouraging disruptions.Positive Reinforcement and Engagement:
Rewarding good behavior and keeping students engaged through interesting lessons reduces the likelihood of disruptive actions in the classroom.
Understanding Behavior Management and Interventions
The video emphasizes the distinction between behavior management plans and behavior intervention plans.
The speaker highlights the importance of not only managing behavior but also providing interventions that equip students with the skills they need for self-management.
Behavior Management Plans: These are designed for adults and outline the expectations, rules, and consistency required to manage student behavior effectively. They involve what educators will say, do, and implement to create a structured environment.
Behavior Intervention Plans: In contrast, these plans are aimed at teaching children the necessary skills to manage their own behavior independently. The goal is for students to demonstrate appropriate behavior without constant adult intervention.
5 questions to ask yourself before disciplining a student!
We get it, when a student is ignoring everything that you have asked and we can get very frusturated quickly.Here are some questions to ask yourself before taking action.
Questions for Reflection:
What specific behavior am I addressing, and what triggered it?
- Understanding the context and triggers can help in addressing the root cause of the behavior.
Have I clearly communicated the expectations and consequences to the student?
- Ensuring that students are aware of rules and consequences is essential for fair discipline.
Am I using a consistent approach to discipline with all students?
- Consistency in applying rules helps maintain fairness and respect in the classroom.
How can I approach this situation in a way that promotes learning and growth for the student?
- Consider how the disciplinary action can be a teachable moment rather than just a punishment.
Have I taken the student’s individual circumstances and needs into account?
- Recognizing that each child is unique allows for a more compassionate and effective approach to discipline.
Examples of Behavior Management
Examples of Behavior Management
Social Contracts
Social contracts should be created within the first week of school. This involves students discussing how they want to be treated, how the teacher wants to be treated, and how they think conflicts should be resolved. The agreed-upon rules are displayed throughout the year, with every student signing the contract. Using social contacts can also include ambassadors. These students are expected to make sure any new student or guest who enters the classroom signs the contract because it is a whole classroom involvement.
Cool Down Areas
2. Time-out or Cool-Down Areas:
Designated spaces in the classroom where students can go to calm down when feeling overwhelmed or upset. These areas provide a quiet environment for reflection and emotional management, often equipped with comfortable seating, calming activities, and tools like stress balls and fidget toys.
Classroom Rules and the "Stump" Strategy
In the video, the teacher outlines two fundamental rules in their classroom: 1) Be safe and 2) Be kind. When students choose not to follow these rules, they have the option to go to a designated "stump," a safe place away from the classroom where they can reflect on their behavior.
Stump Usage:
- Students sit at the stump to think about their actions and are encouraged to take a few minutes for this reflection—about one minute for each year of their age (e.g., four to five minutes for four and five-year-olds).
- If they sit too long, they may lose focus on the reason for their timeout.
Consequences and Self-Regulation:
- The teacher explains that the stump serves as a consequence for not being safe or kind, emphasizing that the student's choice led to this consequence.
- Students are encouraged to think about what they did wrong and how they can improve.
Emotional Support:
- The stump also acts as a voluntary retreat for students who may be feeling sad, mad, or overwhelmed. They can go there independently to calm down and gather their thoughts.
Overall, the stump functions both as a disciplinary measure and a supportive space for emotional regulation, promoting self-awareness and personal responsibility among students.
Here are four important considerations for creating an effective calm down corner in the classroom:
Considerations for a Calm Down Corner
Location and Accessibility
- Choose a quiet, low-traffic area of the classroom that is easily accessible to all students. The space should be inviting and away from distractions to help students focus on calming down.
Comfort and Sensory Elements
- Include comfortable seating options such as bean bags, cushions, or a soft rug. Incorporate sensory tools like stress balls, fidget toys, or calming visuals (e.g., soft lighting, calming images) to help students self-regulate.
Clear Guidelines and Usage
- Establish and communicate clear guidelines for using the calm down corner. Teach students when and how to use the space, emphasizing that it’s a resource for managing emotions rather than a punishment.
Variety of Calming Activities
- Provide a range of calming activities and resources. This can include books, coloring materials, mindfulness exercises, or breathing techniques that students can engage with while in the corner to help them regain composure.
3. Positive Reinforcement (Brag Boards):
Use brag boards to celebrate student achievements and good behavior, creating a positive reinforcement system that encourages students to strive for excellence. Each color of a sticky note can have different meanings for example, yellow means following directions, blue means being safe, and pink means being responsible. After so many brags have been collected, there will be a reward. They can be as simple as a stinky feet carpet time where students can take off their shoes on the carpet (Which they love). There can be bigger rewards like a pizza party or a trip to the park. Some schools will work together as a whole, and after the entire school has collected so many brags, there will be a large reward for the whole school.
Using Technology as Behavior Management
Behavior Tracking Apps
ClassDojo
- Overview: ClassDojo is a popular classroom management app that allows teachers to track student behavior in real-time.
- Features:
- Real-time Feedback: Teachers can give instant feedback to students, rewarding positive behavior with points or "Dojo points."
- Behavior Reports: The app generates reports that can be shared with parents to keep them informed about their child's behavior and progress.
- Classroom Community: ClassDojo fosters a sense of classroom community by allowing students to share their accomplishments with their peers.
- Benefits: It encourages positive behavior by making it visible and recognized, reinforcing good habits among students.
Communication Tools
Remind
- Overview: Remind is a communication platform designed to facilitate communication between teachers, students, and parents.
- Features:
- Instant Messaging: Teachers can send messages to individual students or entire classes, keeping everyone informed about classroom behavior and events.
- Multilingual Support: The app offers translation features, ensuring communication is accessible for non-English speaking parents.
- Announcements: Teachers can share important updates, reminders, and achievements directly with parents.
- Benefits: It fosters a strong home-school connection, allowing parents to stay engaged and informed about their child’s behavior and progress.
Seesaw
- Overview: Seesaw is a student-driven digital portfolio that enables students to showcase their learning and achievements.
- Features:
- Student Portfolios: Students can document their work and behaviors, allowing parents to see their progress and achievements.
- Feedback Tools: Teachers can provide feedback and comments on student submissions, reinforcing positive behavior and accomplishments.
- Parent Access: Parents can view their child's portfolio and receive updates, creating a transparent communication channel.
- Benefits: Seesaw promotes student ownership of learning and behavior, while also keeping parents connected to their child's educational journey.
By utilizing these tools and strategies, educators can effectively monitor and enhance student behavior while fostering strong communication with families and creating an engaging learning environment.
Final Conclusion
As we wrap up this course on classroom management, it’s crucial to recognize the significant role that effective management practices play in creating a positive learning environment. A well-managed classroom fosters not only academic success but also social and emotional growth, allowing students to feel safe, respected, and engaged.
Through understanding and implementing rules, routines, and effective classroom management strategies, educators can establish a nurturing atmosphere that supports all learners. The skills and practices discussed throughout this course empower teachers to adapt to the diverse needs of their students, ensuring an inclusive environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
As we move ahead, we can focus on improving our management practices. Our goal is to encourage a love for learning and create a classroom environment that values teamwork, respect, and personal growth. By prioritizing effective classroom behavior management, we are not only teaching but also helping our students prepare for the future with confidence.
Let’s stay committed to making our classrooms places where students feel valued, empowered, and ready to reach their potential.