Inside: Get your class back on track with these simple, yet effective behavior management strategies that both you and your students will love.
I felt my entire body go rigid as I glared at him in disbelief. Yet again, Barry* (name changed) had poked Khloe* in the ribs. He looked at me and a devious grin spread over his face. It was clear… it wasn’t even about him trying to aggravate Khloe anymore… I was the one he wanted to aggravate.
And it was working.
I gritted my teeth as I reminded him again to keep his hands to himself. I told him that if he struggled to focus on the lesson in his current spot we would need to find another spot where he could be more successful.
But you know how this goes. Barry did not appear to care. 🤷🏻♂️
Unwanted behaviors continued and so my weak attempts at redirection continued. The word frustration isn’t enough to describe how I felt.
This was hard.
I couldn’t teach if my students weren’t focused and listening. And my students couldn’t focus and listen if Barry kept drumming his pencils on his desk, humming, and falling off his chair accidentally on purpose.
Someone once said, “If nothing changes, nothing changes.”
And something had to change.
Managing your students’ behavior can be a daunting task. But with the right approach, it can be much easier to get them to buy into your expectations and behave appropriately in the classroom. I learned this the hard way, but that doesn’t mean you have to.
In this blog post, I’ll share some simple but effective behavior management strategies that will help you keep your class on track.
The Roadmap to Success: Establishing Expectations
As a new teacher, one of the most important things you can do is set clear rules and expectations for behavior. This will help to create a positive learning environment in your classroom. Your students will know exactly what is expected of them and how to act accordingly. This helps them find their places within your classroom community.
Some good classroom rules are:
- Follow directions.
- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
- Be respectful to others.
- Ask for permission to leave the classroom.
When choosing your classroom rules it is important to make sure your rules are realistic and achievable. If you set rules that are too strict, your students will have a difficult time following them. On the other hand, if you set rules that are too lax, your students will not take them seriously.
The Key to a Smooth-Running Classroom
With your students, discuss why good behavior is important in the classroom. A well-run classroom fosters a positive learning environment and allows students to learn effectively. On the other hand, a chaotic classroom can be a distraction for students and prevent teachers from delivering lessons effectively.
Discuss what would happen if the rules weren’t followed. A fun activity is to choose students to act out what it looks like when someone is not following the rules and then have them act out what it looks like when someone is following the rules. Young students LOVE this. It’s engaging and gets them fully involved in the discussion.
The Power of Acknowledgement
Using incentives and rewards is a common behavior management strategy. When students exhibit positive behavior, be sure to reinforce them! This will let them know that their good behavior is noticed and appreciated. You can also use other strategies like providing rewards for good behavior or giving out “behavior bucks” that can be redeemed for prizes. Verbal praise and stickers are easy reinforcements that students respond well to.
Level Up Your Classroom with an Innovative Behavior Management System
There are a variety of behavior management systems that you can use in your classroom. Some common strategies include point systems, color-coded charts, and token economies. Behavior management systems can be customized to fit the needs of your classroom, and they can be a helpful way to encourage positive behavior in students.
I created the Catchem’ Critter Behavior Management System to be a fun way to motivate and encourage students to make great choices in the classroom. This creative system is an engaging way to focus on rewarding good choices. It also supports Social Emotional Learning and includes EVERYTHING you need to get started!
With this system, all children are “critter collectors” and their goal is to catch as many critter stickers as possible to advance through the levels. Children catch new critters (stickers) by making positive choices. New critters are given at the teacher’s discretion. This system is an engaging alternative to giving out tickers, tags, etc.
Every critter embodies a positive character trait. This is a great opportunity to expand your student’s vocabulary, expand on character trait instruction, and explain/encourage ideal traits.
Students store these critters in a booklet called a Critter Keeper.
Upon completing each group, they will “level up” and receive a certificate and/or reward coupon. Students love catching critters and teachers love how it reinforces positive choices allowing for a classroom environment that is cooperative and successful.
Behavior systems like this one give you some structure with implementing and reinforcing classroom rules and positive behavior.
You can try this creative system out with your students for FREE! This resource includes Critter Keeper Slips, Printable Critter Stickers for the first 5 critters, and Level 1 advancement certificates- everything you need to get a feel for the system.
Click here to grab this free resource and try one of my favorite behavior management strategies!
Consistency for the Win
If there’s one thing you walk away with from this post, I want it to be this- the importance of consistency.
If you want students to follow your rules and expectations, you must be consistent with them. Consistency will help students to understand what is expected of them, and it will make it more likely that they will choose to behave positively.
You also need to be consistent with rewards and consequences. Make sure that students know exactly what the rewards/consequences are. This way, they will not only understand the expectations, but they will also understand the possible repercussions of their actions.
And be sure to follow through. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. This is also a big part of building trust with your students.
Connection Counts: Nurturing Relationships for a Harmonious Classroom
Forming strong connections with your students is one of the most important things a teacher can do to create a successful classroom. When teachers know their students well, they are better able to understand what makes them behave in certain ways and respond accordingly. This helps to create a positive learning environment where all students feel comfortable and supported.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to relationships. Take the time to get to know your students and build a personal connection with them. This will go a long way in creating an atmosphere where positive behavior is encouraged and reinforced.
Plus, it helps cultivate mutual respect. When students feel respected, they’re more likely to respect the rules and expectations of the classroom.
Behavior Management Strategies that Stick
When it comes to encouraging positive behavior in the classroom, there are a variety of strategies that you can use. Establishing clear rules and expectations, using positive reinforcement and a behavior management system, being consistent, and connecting with your students are all key components of successful behavior management.
By using these strategies, you can create a positive learning environment where all students feel supported and can thrive.
Managing student behavior can be a challenge, but it is essential for creating and maintaining a positive learning environment. The strategies that I have shared should help you get started in establishing classroom rules and procedures that work for you and your students. You’ll get to keep your sanity and possibly even avoid anyone falling out of their chair accidentally on purpose.
Remember to download your free sample of my Catchem’ Critter System! This system will help you manage student behavior with ease. Good luck!
