Managing Student Behaviors: First Steps
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By implementing effective classroom management techniques and proactive intervention skills, the need for discipline can be avoided. There are five main steps that I would implement above all other measures, when it comes to managing student behaviors: Observation, Redirection, Whole Class Positive Narration, Non-Verbal Cues, and Private Interactions.
One of the strongest preventative techniques is observation. It is essential to “know” your students. By understanding a child’s emotions, reactions, usual behavior and mannerisms, one can best determine if something is wrong or “off” emotionally, thus, providing the teacher with the opportunity for intervention. In addition to observation, another behavior management technique I would use would be redirection. If a particular child is extra distracted or suffering from an unpleasant social situation, redirection is very valuable. Another strategy that I would use would be use whole class positive narration. By verbalizing praise to a student for their behavior, where the rest of the class can hear, this will build the students’ self-esteem and encourage others to do better. Finally, I would use non-verbal or private interactions with the target student. By having non-verbal cues, the teacher can silently communicate with students, helping them to get back on track, without disrupting the class or lesson. It is important to not shame students. By having private interactions with a student in need, this will help to resolve the problem without bringing class attention to the one student or the situation. It is a sign of respect.
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Incentives
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It is ideal to believe that students will be self-motivated by the urge to improve themselves and express self-responsibility. These are ultimate goals to teach the children to have. However, these self-motivation skills are rare and often don’t come until later in life. However, there are some external incentives or positive consequences I could provide students.
Such external incentives or positive consequences could come in the form of verbal praise. Another incentive could be silently writing children’s names on the board for good behavior or completing a task on time. At the end of the day there would be a review and acknowledgement of all the students that had an exceptional day.
This could be further developed through a ticket system. If a child gets their name on the board then they will receive one ticket. If exceptional behavior continues throughout the day, they will receive one tally mark for each positive behavior – each tally will equate to another ticket. The students can collect their tickets at the end of the day. Tickets can be turned in anytime for their reward. Rewards could consist of a homework pass, prize from the prize bucket, have lunch with the teacher, or teacher assistant for the day – all rewards would require various numerations of tickets.
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