I agree that managing classroom behavior is one of the most difficult aspects of teaching. I feel that I have a good behavior system in place. However, there are always a couple of students that don't respond to it the way that I desire. Since my students are so young, I have a very simple behavior/ reward system. I use a three-color (a stop light) system. Students that have good behavior and stay on green are rewarded each day with a small treat. As suggested in the text, I have simple, positive rules posted in the classroom. I refer to the rules often. I also feel that I do a good job with transition times. Since most of our activities are done as whole group, there is not a lot of problems with students finishing at various times. I try to remind the students through out the day of what is going to happen next, and I give them cues before a transition happens.
One thing that I do have difficulty with is keeping the kids quiet during transition times. Any time there is a break in teaching, the kids think it is okay to talk. They also have a hard time with the concept of whispering. I have tried to teach them to use "inside voices" but they get so excited during activities, such as centers that they can't seem to control their volume.
One strategy listed in the text that I had not heard of is "tootling." I love this concept. My students LOVE to tattle. It drives me crazy! I have tried telling them to monitor their own behavior, don't tattle, etc. but nothing seems to work. I am definitely going to try the tootling idea. I have a couple of students that really have a hard time following classroom expectations, and the kids especially love to tattle on them. As a matter-of-fact, they get blamed for things that they don't even do. I am going to encourage the kids to only report good behaviors for these students. I can't wait to see if it works.
I had a friend that I used to teach with at the high school level that used the "stoplight" with her 9th graders and was successful. And believe me the "tattling" doesn't end in the younger grades, it soooo happens in high school to. I thought the tootling ideas was unique as well...may be I can figure out a way to work into my classes. :)
ReplyDeleteTalking during transitions sounds like a universal problem. I understand the want and need to talk, but sometimes it gets too noisy. This is the fine line I struggle with in my classroom. This warm weather is giving my students an early spring fever! They have been so talkative the past two weeks, so I am having to become more firm in the structure, procedure, and rules. This week, I am going to introduce "tootling" to my second graders.
ReplyDeleteI struggled with talking period when I did a long term substitute for third grade. It was so very challenging to get them to be quiet and focused. I tried putting them in groups at the beginning of the year but it did not work. I had to change there seats sometimes twice a week. So four year olds are not the only ones that struggle with talking the older ones are just as bad.
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