Behavior Management

Before you can begin to teach, student behavior must be addressed. Any student who needs extra structure, incentive to change bad behavior, support, and discipline will benefit from a behavioral contract. Behavior management encompasses many important concepts, such as developing a rapport with the students, establishing procedures and setting up positive behavior management systems.


The Behavior Home Page includes links to information and resources to help teachers deal with children who have behavioral disorders. Many of the sites provide helpful strategies for improving general classroom discipline.

The TeacherVision Web site has an extensive list of Behavioral Management Resources, from behavioral observation to conflict resolution, the printables and articles on this site will help manage classroom discipline. There are tips and advice on establishing rules and incorporating effective behavior techniques in your classroom by veteran teacher's .You'll find advice for handling disruptive behavior and environmental interventions for minimizing its effect on other students.

Implementing and following classroom rules that specifically address behavior encourages positive classroom participation and improves over all learning. Students should be redirected for inappropriate behavior before the behavior becomes out of hand. Well-defined classroom rules are useful in controlling problems and helping to prevent irresponsible behavior.

Classroom Environment

The classroom environment is very important; one should make it attractive, comfortable, and functional. Teachers should greet each student personally as they enter class each day; this allows students to feel welcomed. Comment positively and appropriately on their demeanor when possible, their smile, and their kindness to someone else. I have observed how positive reinforcement is an effective means of influencing behavior.

Warm, well-run classrooms begin with the room's physical layout — the arrangement of desks and working space, the attractiveness and appeal of bulletin boards, the storage of materials and supplies. Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, has some wonderful tips onThe Physical Environment and Classroom Organization

Classroom Engagement

Students behave when they are involved and engaged in their learning. Constructivist uses of technology can help students learn better than they would otherwise, whereas didactic uses of technology make the technology useless or even damaging. Student involvement is an essential aspect of meaningful learning.

With a well-planned classroom environment, students learn how to learn. Always guided by the teacher, students construct their knowledge actively rather than just automatically gaining knowledge from the teacher or the textbook. For more information on Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning check out the valuable resources on the Concept to Classroom Web site.

Rewards / Incentives

Rewards that reinforce learning can help students remember classroom expectations. Creating t-shirts, burning Cd’s and printing photos are only a few rewards that work with at-risk youth. Rewards can help students become proficient in mastering the expectations of acceptable classroom behavior.

Fredric Jones , the developer of Positive Classroom Management and the author of Positive Classroom Discipline, speaks of genuine incentives. When we think of Grandma’s rule, “first you eat your vegetables, then you can have your dessert,” we don’t think of education. However, applied to the classroom, the rule requires students to first do what they have to, to be able to do what they want. The incentive is the end product; students must complete their assignments to receive the incentive.

In his book, Tools for Teaching, Dr. Jones describes the skills by which exceptional teachers make the classroom a place of success and enjoyment for both themselves and their students. His Web site provides books, training workshops, DVD's and videos.

Clear Expectations & Assessment

Student expectations should be clear at start of each lesson, and reinforced throughout the lesson. By using a rubric, students have a working guide for their assignments. A rubric should focus on measuring a stated objective, performance, behavior, and quality of work.

When not presented with clear expectations, assignments can become frustrating for students. You have to make expectations clear or you will expect one thing and get something else. Stating and posting expectations in the classroom can result in enhanced performance, and higher expectations can equal a better quality of work.

When you lower your expectations, students will slack off and achieve less than their best. Students with a learning disability should be treated like other students. Some modifications to the curriculum may be needed in the way information is presented and in the methods of testing and evaluation, while self assessments has a range of potential advantages for at-risk youth. They involve learners in their learning and given feedback about the quality of their work and how to make it better.

teAchnology, the online teacher resource Web site provides free and easy to use resources for teachers dedicated to improving the education of today's generation of students.


Email Contact: denisemccall@carolina.rr.com