A Learning Experience

Entries tagged as ‘Behavior Management’

How to Use Those Parent Volunteers!

March 7, 2010 · 3 Comments

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by Sandra Jacoby

In most classroom, the teacher to student ratio is 1 : 25…or maybe even 1 : 30. If a teacher is really lucky, she may have an aide’s help for brief intervals during the day, but essentially, as teachers, we are on our own with our students. Which can leave us scratching our heads at the end of the day, asking: Did I really meet the needs of ALL of my students? Chances are, you will always feel like one of them could have used an extra boost.

This is where classroom volunteers come in.

Extra Support for Struggling Students

Having a classroom volunteer during the school day is helpful on so many levels.  They can read to the students or help them with homework or projects, allowing the teacher time to work more closely with students who need some extra support.  Of course, the teacher is still responsible for everything that goes on in the classroom; volunteers aren’t babysitters. But chances are good that the class will be more productive and better behaved with extra adult supervision while you pull students aside for extra guidance.

More Opportunities for Social Interactions

A class volunteer can provide more than just academic support; students can benefit from his or her presence socially, as well. Plan games or interactive activities for the time with the volunteer–activities like an outdoor scavenger hunt during science or group work on a messy project. These activities might seem overwhelming or “more trouble than they’re worth” when you’re alone, but they’re much more manageable and enjoyable with an extra adult around.

Every Parent Makes a Great Volunteer

Any parent willing to be in your classroom is going to make a great volunteer. Never turn away a qualifying parent, but rather, provide structured ways they can help. Be sure you have a specific plan for what they will be doing in the classroom so that they feel productive and you feel in control of your class. These days, it is especially great to have male volunteers.  So many children today are lacking positive male role models–particularly in an educational setting.  If you can recruit a daddy or two, more power to you!

Recruit Early and  Often

The easiest way to recruit volunteers is to post a sign-up sheet at the beginning of the year (during orientation or open house), where parents can note that they’re interested in volunteering. Then, don’t be afraid to call or e-mail them to ask for help!

Since it’s obviously well into the school year right  now, you can still recruit volunteers. Send home a note with a detachable bottom portion that says: “We could use a helping hand in the classroom!” Then, list several areas of help that parents can check, such as: reading to students, having students read to you, assisting during projects or art time, accompanying us to the playground, cutting and posting bulletin board materials, and helping students while they work at their desks.

Remember, you may be the only adult in your classroom, but this doesn’t mean you have to go it alone! You have a whole brood of parents who love their kiddos and would gladly lend a hand if they knew you needed help.

Sandra Jacoby is a teacher in Texas who enjoys the challenges and rewards of teaching her pre-kindergarten class.

Categories: Behavior Management · Classroom Community · Cooperative Learning · Discipline
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What You Need to Know About Teaching Boys

February 6, 2010 · 2 Comments

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by Elizabeth Cossick, M.Ed.

We’ve all heard someone use this lovely little adage as an excuse for obnoxious behavior: “Boys will be boys.” Cringe! Why would being a boy excuse poor choices?

Well, apparently, there may actually be some truth behind this oft-misused little quote. Research supports that, as a whole, males often have more aggressive temperaments and shorter attention spans than girls. So, while this still doesn’t excuse naughtiness, it might help to explain it.

Below are five other facts about boys that every educator should keep in mind:

1. Multi-tasking. A girl’s corpus callosum (the bundle of nerves that connect the right and left brain hemispheres) is significantly larger than a boy’s. Some researchers think this may explain why females can multi-task better than most males. Boys tend to do better with short lists (1-3 items) of tasks to complete in consecutive order.

2. Just the Facts, Ma’am. On the whole, boys like to memorize facts. If you’re not sure if this is true, just ask any 8-year-old how many different types of dinosaurs there are. In the classroom, harness this strength by providing opportunities for boys to memorize information and then teach the facts to other students. Boys are also often motivated by becoming an “expert” in an area of interest.

3. Need for Speed. Physically, boys often have more energy to burn than girls. Recess in the younger grades is especially important to boys, so don’t take it away as a punishment unless absolutely necessary. (Girls, who tend to be social, also benefit from recess, so this guideline applies across the board.)

4. Show, Don’t Tell. Boys on average tend to be more visual and kinesthetic than most of their female counterparts, so supplement auditory lessons with visuals and manipulatives.

5. Time Out. Boys often need more wait time before answering a question, more processing time when listening to oral instructions, and more completion time to finish an assignment.

Okay, so obviously this list provides generalizations that cannot possibly describe every boy on the planet; personality and disposition may trump any one of these points. Still, it’s wise to note that girls and boys often have different learning needs. So, as you plan your lessons and set up your classroom, just remember that, yes, boys will be boys. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Categories: Academic Success · Behavior Management · Classroom Community
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Your First Year: What you need to know in the primary grades.

January 24, 2010 · 1 Comment

adapted from advice by Sandra Jacoby

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Your first year as a teacher can be crazy. Scratch that. It will be crazy.  A new job, new rules, new students, and a whole lot more than what they teach you in college equates to an exciting, scary and sometimes downright shocking experience.

Here are a few tricks to help you survive…and even enjoy yourself!

Discipline

Making your discipline plan explicitly known to the class on the first day is key.  Go over the rules as a class–or, if your students are old enough, involve them in helping create class guidelines, based on respect and responsibility. Be sure to send a note home describing the plan to parents, so they know what will be expected of their child.

Then, once the rules are covered, be consistent from day one. Students need to understand your expectations from the get-go, and they’ll feel more secure knowing that you are going to enforce consistent behavior guidelines.

A good idea for primary teachers is to send home a simple “reward” with the students every time they have a good day.  It can be as simple as a skittle or a sticker or a paper star. At the end of the week or the month, allow students to visit a treasure box filled with small prizes if they received a certain number of stars or stickers or skittles (you can keep track with hash marks on a simple name chart).

Parent Communication

Parent communication goes hand-in-hand with a good discipline policy. You want the parents on your side…and vice versa! To establish a positive partnership from the start, send home “happy notes” when students do good things. And, whenever a note needs to go home to communicate negative behavior, make sure you temper it with something positive the student did, as well. This lets parents understand that although there may be an issue, you’re looking for the best in their child. Of course, be sure to keep a copy of every note that is sent home. Although you might never need it, documentation is never a bad thing.

It’s also a good idea to send  home a newsletter once a week. Parents appreciate being kept in the loop about what you’re studying, fun activities you did, and interesting conversations you’re having. They’ll also appreciate the opportunity to reinforce concepts at home.

Yourself

Finally, you need to remember you. Believe me, it is so very easy to get caught up in paperwork and lesson plans and forget about the most important part of your job: yourself. If you are not healthy and happy, your class will suffer.

So, make balance a priority. Although there will be days when you have to stay late after school, try to leave on time whenever you can. It’s better to grade papers in your slippers, curled up on your couch, than sitting stiff-backed under fluorescent lights in your classroom.

Try to take a “breather” every day, as well. Get out and enjoy some fresh air after school: take a walk, go shopping, meet a friend for coffee, or participate in a form of exercise you enjoy.  This will help you clear your mind and stay connected with your “non-teacher” self. It might sound silly, but it’s oh-so important.

And then, at the end of the day, after the papers are graded and the lesson plans are solidified for tomorrow, pick up your favorite magazine or a good book. End your day relaxed and refreshed, so you can wake up smiling, ready to make your students’ day a success!

This article was adapted from advice submitted by Sandra Jacoby. Sandra graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in December, 2008, with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies. She currently teaches pre-kindergarten in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Categories: Academic Success · Behavior Management · Classroom Community
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An Ocean of Discovery

January 15, 2010 · 2 Comments

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By Sandra Jacoby

At some point in every primary level classroom, an ocean creature is going to float across the minds of the students. Whether you teach using themes and talk about ocean life for weeks or only briefly cover sea mammals, fish or plants, here is an activity that teaches more than just the ocean!

First, the things you will need:

• paper plates (a half for each child in the classroom)

• crepe paper (in a variety of colors, cut into four different lengths, between 6-12 inches)

• crayons

• scissors

• glue

Steps to follow:

1.) Have the students write their names on the side of the plate that you would normally cover with food.

2.) Let each student select for pieces of pre-cut crêpe paper – one of each in four different sizes.

3.) Allow the children to arrange the crêpe paper from shortest to longest (or visa versa). When they have it correctly arranged, they should glue the pieces to the side of the paper plate where they wrote their names.

4.) When all pieces are attached, have the students pick up their jellyfish by the plate and turn it around to see. If children are capable, have them write “shortest” and “longest” on the appropriate sides. If they cannot do this step on their own, provide help: your hand over theirs, sentence strips with the words on them, etc.

5.) If time permits and if preferred, have the students draw a face on their jellyfish.

What you taught and what to do with the jellies:

You have just covered so many things with your students. The letter J and the sound it makes, shortest to longest, writing skills, counting, sea creatures…and you now have a great classroom decoration to boot!

Sandra Jacoby graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in December, 2008, with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies. She currently teaches pre-kindergarten in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Categories: Science · Writing
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Start the New Year with a Bang! Games and Activities to Inspire and Excite

January 10, 2010 · Comments Off

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By Sandra Jacoby

The presents have been opened, fireworks have welcomed the new year and kids have gotten used to being home for two weeks! Now it is time for back-to-school, the winter version. How do we, as teachers, get our students back into the swing of class? Instead of jumping head-first into the pool of knowledge (that is more than likely frozen over), you have to break the ice. Hold off on the piles of homework and start slow. Find something that will get their gears going without the stress.

Primary/Elementary Levels:

Games and hands-on activities are a great way to review the previous semester and ignite students’ excitement to be back in class. A scavenger hunt on the playground or in the classroom, for example, is sure to grab their attention! Students can find five rocks (to work on counting) or things that starts with a certain letter or sound (such as /b/). A scavenger hunt can be adjusted to any subject and any grade…and it doesn’t take a lot of preparation.

Junior High/High School:

Stretch students’ brains and get them talking with optical illusions. Just search “optical illusions” on Google Images, and you’ll find plenty. Students can write about what they see and discuss their different perspectives.

Students, Come on Down!

Another option to get children of any age tuned in to the new semester is to take previous tests and quizzes and use them as questions in a game show. You can break students into groups to play (students are generally more motivated when they’re working with their peers), and you might choose to award the winners with five extra credit points on the next test or a dismissal from a homework assignment.

Starting the new semester with a game or activity will inspire your students to even greater heights during the second-half of the year!

Sandra Jacoby graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in December, 2008, with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies. She currently teaches pre-kindergarten in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Categories: Classroom Community · Cooperative Learning · Games · Writing
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Straws and Pennies: Cheap and Easy Classroom Management Techniques

October 15, 2009 · 2 Comments

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by Kelly Quabeck

Looking for a positive way to promote good classroom behavior with my first-graders, I opted to try two concrete techniques: one involving straws and the other, pennies.

The Straw That Broke the Teacher’s Back

Each child in my classroom starts with five straws for the day. They can then earn straws or lose straws as they day progresses, depending on their behavior. Simple, but effective!

The best part of the straw technique is that the students really feel like they can turn their day around and make it better by earning back straws. Unlike most discipline approaches that only remove privileges or enact consequences, this approach allows the student to make choices to negatively and positively impact their day. As a little extra positive reinforcement, I let my students earn a star pencil once they reach 10 straws for the day.

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

In my class, the students are seated in groups. As another positive discipline approach–and also a means to promote cooperativepenny tails learning–each group earns pennies for good behavior. The group can also lose pennies for poor choices, and the students in each group encourage one another to make good decisions during the day. Every Friday, we count the pennies (by twos, of course :-), and the group with the most pennies gets a trip to the treasure box.

These two techniques keep my students aware of their behavior and accountable for their choices–and, most importantly–they make our classroom a positive environment in which to learn.

Kelly Quabeck holds a master’s degree in education from University of Phoenix. She currently teachers first grade at Russom Elementary School in Georgia, where she enjoys meeting the needs of her students and watching them reach their full potential.

Categories: Behavior Management · Classroom Community · Discipline
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Beat the Back-to-School Blahs (with great at-home ideas)!

August 9, 2009 · Comments Off

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The rubbery smell of a new pink eraser. The squeak of new tennis shoes on freshly waxed linoleum. The chorus of children’s laughter cascading through school bus windows. These images encompass the annual phenomenon called the first day of school!

Each fall, we fill our children’s closets with new clothing and fill their backpacks with new notebooks and pencils—all in preparation for returning to school. This year, try filling your home with a few new routines, as well, to help ease the transition from summertime to school time. Here are some tips for your family to try:

1. Create a Homework Nook: To beat the back-to-school blahs, help your child create a motivating and relaxing space to complete homework. Let him or her pick out a fun desk set, cute lamp or cozy beanbag to personalize the spot. Build excitement about the coming year!

2. Celebrate Good Work: Decorate an inexpensive corkboard with fabric, ribbons and tacks in anticipation of displaying your child’s work. Hang the board in a prominent area where it can be enjoyed by the entire family.

3. Let ‘Em Eat Cake (or at least crackers): Fill the pantry with nutritious, child-approved after-school snacks. Yummy chocolate chip trail mix or peanut butter crackers ease the sting of homework. And research shows that nutritious snacks promote learning and concentration.

4. Set Goals: Be proactive and set goals for the new year. Make sure you involve your child in the process; what does she really want to achieve? The most effective goals are action-based, not outcome-based. For example, rather than stating the desired result (earn an A on every spelling test), list specific actions that your child can achieve and control (study my spelling words for 15 minutes every evening).

5. Celebrate Success! When a goal is met, celebrate with your child. Celebrations can be as simple as a hug or as involved as a family camping trip. Just make sure the emphasis is on the learning—and not just the reward.

6. Finally, be Positive! Help your child focus on the fun aspects of school (seeing friends, going on fieldtrips, learning new stuff). Your positive talk will go a long way toward easing jitters and silencing groans as the year begins. And if all else fails, a new pink eraser and squeaky new sneaks might just do the trick.

Post a useful or helpful comment, below, and be entered to win a School Box gift card!

author: Elizabeth Cossick, M.Ed.

Categories: Academic Success · Motivation · Parenting
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Dazzling Behavior

July 16, 2009 · 1 Comment

teacher, student in cafeteria lineA Unique Idea for Motivating Good Behavior

by Kristin M. Woolums, M.Ed.

Oh how I wish I knew this little behavior management nugget during my first year of teaching! It’s simple, and it works: Dazzle Points!

What is a Dazzle Point and how does it work?
It’s a tally of how many times I’ve been “dazzled” by good behavior, kindness, compassion, good study habits, or by anything that I consider “dazzling.” On the board, I post the number of Dazzle Points earned throughout the year, and I give rewards for different levels along the way. When I see my students doing the right thing, I add a Dazzle Point to the displayed tally. We set an attainable goal together. (I suggest 10 for the first goal). They work really hard to get to this level.

Once they reach their goal, we brainstorm reward ideas, such as these:

• Extra recess

• Reduced/no homework

• Stuffed animal or pillow day

• Unassigned seats

• Video/movie time

• Free ice cream

• Class pet

I usually do a “heads down/hands up” majority vote to decide. And then I follow through with the reward within the week. After they reach the first level, we set a goal for the second level (I suggest 25), and keep going in this fashion.

There is one catch.
If anyone asks for a Dazzle Point, the tally goes back to zero, and they start all over (tough to do, but stick to your word!).

What constitutes being “dazzled”?
Watch for good behavior in either groups or individuals at recess, carline, or in the cafeteria or classroom. If I see genuine good behavior, I reward the dazzle point on the spot! Here are some of the behaviors for which I reward a Dazzle Point:

• Another teacher’s compliment (automatic dazzle point), but I have to witness the compliment – remember, they can’t ask for a Dazzle Point

• Assisting a student/teacher without being asked.

• Good test results (not necessarily all As, but each student did well for his/her ability)

• Good teamwork at recess

• Good following of procedures

• Good behavior without being prompted

• Good participation in fundraisers, service projects, attendance to school meetings

I don’t reward for each occurrence, since it would lose its effect. After all, the students shouldn’t be rewarded for something they should already be doing!

Why does it work?
Because the kids have say-so in the process, they buy into it even more. They decide to make good behavior choices, they decide the level when they’ll be rewarded, and they decide what the reward will be. Students love hearing these simple words: “I’m dazzled!” because they know I caught them doing the right thing!

For what grades would this work?
This works very well for me in my self-contained fifth-grade classroom, but I’ve had seventh- and eighth-grade students tell me that they wish the middle school teachers used Dazzle Points. This could easily be adapted for elementary grades or for classes that switch between teachers.

Good luck with Dazzle Points!

Kristin M. Woolums, M. Ed., teaches fifth grade at a private school in Atlanta and works at The School Box at Southlake during the summer months.

We’d like to know: How do you motivate positive behavior in your classroom? Leave a comment to share your idea, and you’ll be entered to win a School Box gift card!

Categories: Behavior Management · Discipline · Motivation
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Atta Boy! Discipline Tips Part III

June 16, 2009 · 2 Comments

student and teacher at computerWe all like rewards and praise! A good ol’ atta-boy can brighten even the worst of days.

In the classroom, rewards fall into three major categories: recognition, privileges and tangible rewards. No single kind of reward works better than another. Select rewards based on grade level and student preferences.

Here are some reward ideas from our classroom to yours:

Privileges:
* Lunch with the teacher
* Library pass
* Computer time
* Homework pass

Recognition:
* Call the parents
* Display work
* Student of the day, week or month
* Announcement to the class
* Class cheer or chant

Tangible Rewards:
* Stickers
* Popcorn
* Bonus points or extra credit
* Grab bag or treasure box
* Tokens for recess, no homework, etc.

For more ideas, see the attached list of Awards and Rewards.

Do you have another great reward or award idea? If so, please comment below and share it with us. We’d love to hear what works for you!  For this three part series we will be randomly selecting someone from the comments to receive a Teacher Created Resources book of their choice.

This is part three of a three-part series: Discipline Tips for Teachers.

Adapted from: Teacher Created Resources

Categories: Behavior Management · Discipline · Motivation
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Student Signals: Discipline Tips Part II

June 14, 2009 · 3 Comments

What do you use to get the attention of your students when they are working?

class raising handsMost teachers know how to administer it: just one glance, and a student gets the message. It’s called “the teacher look” (or TTL), and depending on the thinness of the lips or the arch of the brow, it can be a teacher’s best tool and a student’s greatest dread.

But it’s hard for TTL to work when students are happily engaged in a group activity or chatting in a noisy cafeteria. Enter: the student signal. This is an often-nonverbal cue that quickly grabs the attention of the class without requiring the teacher to raise her voice (or her eyebrow).

Here are some possible signals:
1. Raised Hand.
The teacher raises her hand, and the students stop talking, look at the teacher and raise their hands until the class is ready.

2. Turned-off Lights.
Students stop working and talking and put their heads down when the lights go off.

3. Bell, Whistle or Musical Tone.
When they hear the signal, everyone looks at the teacher and gets ready to pay attention.

4. Clapped Rhythm.
Teacher claps a rhythm, and the students clap either a responding rhythm or repeat what the teacher clapped and then look at the teacher.

Once you pick a signal, you need to teach the signal just as you would a math problem or a vocabulary word. Teach it and then give the students time and opportunities to practice it. If their practice is great, tell them so. If it is not, tell them they will need to practice the signal again until they can do it just right and mean it. If you accept less than complete attention, that is just what they will learn to give you. You may need to practice occasionally if they slip.

Once your class learns the signal, it will be one of your best management tools. It may even cause you to retire your TTL altogether. Maybe.

Do you have another signal that you use to engage your class? If so, please comment below and share it with us! We’d love to hear your great ideas. For this three part series we will be randomly selecting someone from the comments to receive a Teacher Created Resources book of their choice.

This is part two of a three-part series: Discipline Tips for Teachers. Coming next: Using rewards and recognition to motivate good behavior.

Adapted from: Teacher Created Resources

Categories: Behavior Management · Discipline
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