Classroom Management

PracticesNicole Anderson

My ExperienceWorked two years as an IA III in a special education classroom for children with emotional disturbance (ED)

Two years teaching an SDC classroom at Thomas Edison

Worked closely with the PBS team on overall classroom management and specific cases

Have used these classroom management practices including a behavior contract in my own classrooms since 2007 (grades 1st-8th)

Married to a wonderful resource He worked two years on the San Juan PBS Team He is currently a School Psychologist and part time

Behavior Specialist He is also working toward his Board Certification in

Behavior Analysis

Goal for the Lesson

1. Teachers will be able to learn a new behavior management practice

2. Teachers will be able to implement a new management practice into their classroom

Classroom Management Philosophy

Positive Behavior Support

is…. an evidence based practice that focuses on the teaching and reinforcing of new skills.

is not…. forgetting that limits and consequences are important as well.

Classroom Management Practices Objectives

I: Classroom Behavior Contract

II: Use of an Attention SignalIII: Use of a Timer

Woven throughout these three techniques teachers will:1. Clearly State Expectations2. Model3. Give Specific Praise (4 to 1 ratio)

Classroom Behavior Contract

Behavior Contract

Why use a behavior contract?1.Clearly identifies and communicates

expectations2.Provides structure for both you and the

students

Sample Contracts

Student Contract

Presentation

There are three main rules in my classroom:

Be RespectfulBe Responsibl

eBe Safe

Sample Ways to Be RespectfulHow to be RESPECTFUL How to NOT be RESPECTFUL

Kind comments to classmates & teachers

Treat classroom materials with respect

Follow directions first time asked

Active listening (eyes on the speaker)

Kind tone, volume & words Ask for permission to

leave your seat

Rude comments to classmates & teachers

Make demands Don’t follow directions

or require reminders Eyes not on speaker Interrupt/call out Whining, Complaining Out of your seat without

permission

Teachers- Think how you can… 1. Clearly State Expectations 2. Model 3.Give Specific Praise

Sample Ways to Be ResponsibleHow to be RESPONSIBLE How to NOT be

RESPONSIBLE

Not on task Avoiding your work Talking when you are

supposed to be working

Not bring your materials (forget pencil, book, paper)

Use restroom during class

Don’t seek help

On Task Ask for help if you need it Completing your work Have your materials Use the restroom at

recess, lunch, or passing period

Care about your education

Work without disturbing others

Teachers- Think how you can… 1. Clearly State Expectations 2. Model 3.Give Specific Praise

How To Be SAFE How To NOT Be SAFE

Hands & feet to yourself

Chair and desk legs on the floor

Keep personal space Walking behind the

person in front of you in line

Walk in the classroom

Touching or pushing others, even if you’re friends

Leaning back in your chair

Being too close to your classmates (upset them)

Running in the classroom

Sample Ways to Be Safe

Teachers- Think how you can… 1. Clearly State Expectations 2. Model 3.Give Specific Praise

If you are not RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE or SAFE you will receive a mark on your contract. You can get up to three marks as “warnings”. If you receive four marks in one day you will be removed from class (class suspension) and/or given a detention. Parents will be notified.

Question:What do I do if I receive a mark on my contract?

Answer:Change your behavior!

For example: If you receive a mark on your contract for talking in class, then you need to make the choice to stop talking in class. Also, you need to make a choice to change your behavior throughout class so you don’t get too many marks.

Automatic Loss of ContractLying to Staff

Language to StaffPhysical Aggression

Out of AreaOvert Defiance

Slur = talking about someone’s race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or

cognitive ability

or ANY severe behavior that is not Respectful, Responsible, or Safe

Students who follow all the rules of the behavior contract will become a

V.I.PVery Important Person

How to become a V.I.P1. Make your contract 8 out of 10 days in a

row2. Be at school 8 out of 10 days

3. Turn in homework 8 out of 10 days

How to STAY a V.I.P4. Make your contract everyday

5. Miss only 1 day of school in 10 days6. Miss only 1 homework assignment in 10

days

Privileges of a V.I.PName on the wall

First in line for transitionsFirst pick for _____

Asked to run special errands for the teacherFirst pick for classroom jobs

Classroom Contract

Use each of the following during AND after the behavior contract presentation:

1.Clearly State Expectations 2.Model (you model, then students model)

3.Give Specific Praise

“I like the way…” “That was perfect how…”

“Thank you for….” “Great job….”

Classroom ContractTeachers and Instructional Assistants:NEVER take away a mark once givenNEVER argue over a mark during class (they may talk to you after class)DO NOT give a warning that you will mark the contract, the mark on the contract IS the warningDo not be concerned if several students lose their contract while adjusting to your new expectations and limit setting

Use of an Attention Signal

Attention Signals

Why use an attention signal?1. Saves time to get the students’ attention2. Regroups the class3. Allows you a way to get control of the class

when it may be chaotic

Sample Attention Signals

Teacher Says Students Say

“Okay listen up” “Okay listen up”

“1,2,3 eyes on me” “1,2 eyes on you”

“Finish what you are saying… 3,2,1 (ring bell) heads up”

(other examples)

Attention Signals

Teachers1. Clearly State Expectations for the attention

signal (stop what you are doing, hands on your desk, voices off, eyes on the teacher)

2. Model expectations for the attention signal (demonstrate what all the above look like)

3. Students model the attention signal4. Give specific praise for correct behavior (“I

like the way David immediately stopped what he was doing, put his hands on his desk, his voice was off, and his eyes were on me. Great job David!”)

5. Mark contracts for students who do not follow the expectations of the attention signal once in place

Use of a Timer

Use of a Timer

Why use a timer?1. Predictable2. Clearly states expectations and time given

to achieve expectations3. Can be used for individual student

behaviors

Sample Ways to Use a Timer1. Transitions • “You have one minute to get your book

out to page 75.”• “You have two minutes to clean

everything up and get back to your seat.”

• Countdown to transition. “We will transition in 2 minutes.”

2. Work Completion• “You have 10 minutes to complete

numbers 1-8”What the Teacher Does What the Teacher Says (Examples)

Clearly States Expectations before the timer starts

“I see Mark is following directions, thank you Mark.”

“Thank you for cleaning up, you have one more minute.”

“Great job getting your books out in less than a minute!”

Gives Specific Praise while the timer is going

Sample Ways to Use a Timer3. Non Compliance • “I’ll check back with you on this in one

minute.”• “I’ll give you one minute to make your

choice.”• “Please take a timeout for three minutes

in the back of the room.”• “It’s fine if you don’t want to do this right

now, you will owe me time.”• “If you are on task for 10 minutes, I will

give you 2 minutes of free time.”• “I will give you one minute to exit the

room, if you do not I will have to call someone to escort you from my room.”

In SummaryThe behavior contract will not work if it is the ONLY form of behavior management you use. However combined with…

Clearly stating ALL expectationsModeling expectationsConsistency on expectations Consistency giving consequencesUsing Engagement Strategies (think-pair-share, choral response)Use of other management strategies (timer, call signal)And (most important) Giving Specific Praise

…the behavior contract will be WONDERFUL for both you and your students!

Thank you for listening!