Mary Redpath

Behaviour Management

“Behaviour is a message of how a child is feeling and coping with their world”

 

            A classroom management strategy like most other things teachers attempt to implement varies depending on that teacher’s students. The management and behaviour of students in a classroom is one of these always changing factors one that never seems to be resolved. I have found the following things to be very helpful in getting off to a good start and maintaining a manageable classroom.

 

General Management:

 

Establish and consistently follow rules/procedures/values/expectations, and consequences within the classroom with the help of your students.

 

            Having students create rules make these rules more meaningful to them. It allows discussion on the logical rationale for the rules we have chosen for our classroom. It creates a sense of community understanding and values. As well in the passing down of reasonable consequences students will be more understanding as they recognize the importance of the rule itself and the need for a consequence. Rules should be enforced as much as possible through positive reinforcement, catch the children being good and praise them.

            I believe teachers must furthermore create concrete procedures that can be consistently followed by students and are well explained in order to assure a smooth running of the classroom. Procedures created by teachers should include a clear class schedule, morning routine, line up routine, a way in which to hand out papers, books and accomplish other classroom needs etc….  Having students who do not know what they could or should be doing at all times leaves time for trouble.

            Consequences should be attached to all rules in order for students to be able to reflect on the importance of rules and the need to follow them. Warnings or procedure should be attached to consequences and not given straight away; this extra time allows students to reflect and also avoids arguing.

            A teacher who will excel in classroom management must be one who can calmly and professional deal with the problems within their classroom.

 

Problem Behaviour Profiles

 

The chart on the attached page allows one to find a way to overcome the most difficult child behaviour problems by isolating the possible reason a child may be exhibiting certain behaviour and coming up with specific interventions to overcome this problem.