Applying Classroom Rules and Procedure

Behavior management in a classroom can be a challenge, but a well thought out behavior plan can help a classroom to run smoothly. Managing behavior is crucial because students cannot learn when they are out of control or misbehaving. A well managed classroom is essential for providing the very best type of learning environment, where students can get the most out of every second of instructional time. 

Providing Positive Reinforcement to Well Behaved Students:

Once classroom procedures, norms, and rules have been established, it is important for the teacher to reinforce good behavior on a regular basis. Students should be recognized for making good choices, for being kind to each other, for working quietly, and so on. Although these behaviors may be “expected” I believe that there is no such thing as too much positive reinforcement. Verbal reinforcement is very important at all ages. When a student makes a good decision and the teacher recognizes that choice, the teacher is not only providing that particular student with reinforcement, but is providing the entire class with a reminder that good behavior will be recognized. In my classroom, I plan to give verbal reinforcement as often as possible. 

Aside from verbal reinforcement, there are many other positive reinforcement strategies that can be used. Personally, I like token economy systems. I think that they work well for rewarding students for good behavior, and help students to work toward long term goals. If a student is on task, he or she may receive a “token” for their behavior. Students keep the tokens until they collect a certain number, or until the teacher has a special day where students can redeem tokens. Tokens can be redeemed for anything the teacher sees fit. As an elementary teacher, I plan to allow my students to redeem tokens for the following activities or rewards. Here are some ideas for “prizes”:

1. Lunch with the teacher
2. Sit in the teacher’s chair for the day
3. First to leave for recess 
4. Choice of PE activity for entire class for one day
5. A book from the teacher’s library

Example of Using Positive Reinforcement: 

Johnny is a 4th grade student. He is doing a great job sitting quietly at his desk waiting for the teacher to give instructions. Some of his classmates are talking with one another, but Johnny is waiting patiently and quietly without even being asked. His teacher notices his good behavior and says, “I see Johnny is ready to learn!” She quietly hands him a raffle ticket to use in the classroom token economy system she has set up. The rest of the class grows quiet as they see that Johnny is setting a good example, and was even rewarded for his excellent behavior. 

Response to Students When Rules are Broken and Procedures are not Followed: 

When class rules are broken, the teacher must deal with it quickly and directly. I believe that the student should first be given a verbal warning. If the student continues to break the rule or misbehave, then I would go to the next step in my behavior management process. In an elementary classroom, I like the idea of using a clip chart to manage behavior, in addition to the token economy described above. I would ask that the student move his clip down is he did not respond well to the verbal warning. From there, the student has the choice to improve his behavior or to move the clip down again. If the student is defiant, it may be necessary to take him aside, out of the earshot of other students, and have a private conversation. First, I would point out what behavior I saw. Next, I would give the student a chance to correct the behavior, apologize, or speak up, depending on the circumstance. Many times, this is all it will take to get a student back on track. If this doesn’t work though, the student may need further consequences. At this point, I would take away minutes from the students recess. I think that this is often a good strategy in elementary school. I don’t believe in taking away the whole recess, as students need time to get out their energy, but taking away even 3 minutes can have the necessary impact most of the time. In the case that the student continued to misbehave throughout the day, I would make parent contact. In elementary school especially, parent contact is very important. I want parents to be on board with what is going on in the classroom at all times, academically and behaviorally. 

Example of a Consequence: 

Sarah is a 2nd grader. The teacher asks for students to quietly come to the carpet for read aloud. All of the students stand up from their desks, walk to the carpet and sit down. Sarah stands up, starts talking across the room to a classmate who does not respond, and then stops on the way to the carpet to get a drink of water without permission. The teacher walks over to Sarah at the water fountain and reminds her that she needs to walk directly to the carpet quietly. Sarah gets upset and argues with the teacher. The teacher asks Sarah to move her clip down, and to think about changing her behavior so that she does not have further consequences. Defeated, Sarah moved her clip down and takes her place on the carpet quietly.