Teach Self-regulation with “The Silly Walk”
Many students need to exercise their executive functioning skills, as they don’t have the ability to easily switch “on” and “off”. Share this short video with them and practice together the “silly walk”, designed to increase their awareness and skill in activating their different zones of regulation.
There are at least two ways to view conflict. Which view sounds best to you?
Bring some variety and novelty into your classroom to support student engagement and keep things fresh. Why not try one of these interesting ways to start class and mix it up tomorrow?
Overcoming the Negativity Bias
Patricia A. Jennings reminds us of our innate tendency to fix our attention on the negative events of our day, causing us to lose sight of the myriad of wonderful learning moments that are present as well. Jennings suggests we need to “make a concerted effort to notice and focus on the positive – and even savor it” in order to shift away from this negative pattern.
Make Positive Attention Worth More
Students with difficult behaviors need more support and more feedback to be successful. Try to reach your most challenging students early in the day or at the beginning of the class, before behavior has a chance to escalate. Jessica Minahan offers a tip that keeps the focus on positive attention and makes it worth more than negative attention for the student. While it might seem unfair to take that extra time and care with one student, it ultimately saves instruction time when a teacher doesn’t have to deal with negative or escalating behavior that can lead to sending the student out of the room.
“Personalized Check-in Notes” is a strategy that Dr. Desautels has found to work well to support an engagement system that facilitates a predictable and consistent environment for all students.
Building strong, trusting relationships is one of our greatest classroom management tools. When strong relationships are present, not only does it reduce the likelihood that problem behaviors arise, but also provides the social capital we need to support behavior change. How are you doing so far this year in regards to knowing your students? Try this activity and see…
Self-esteem helps children feel capable and confident to face and manage their learning challenges, more likely to take responsibility for their actions, and more resilient. We can help our kids (especially the ones with learning and attention issues who are already at risk), by noticing their place in our classroom and the efforts they are making towards being successful This week, focus on narrating the efforts your students are making, letting them know you notice and, it matters! (some suggestions included)
All kids should have good/successful days, and we can help by supporting each other to view problem behavior that arises as simply an opportunity to learn and grow.
Involving Students in Establishing Behavior Expectations
Good teaching of behavior, just like academic instruction, involves more than just telling. Engaging students in coming up with appropriate behavior expectations for themselves will go a lot further than simply teaching the rules.
Keep Proactive Strategies in the Palm of Your Hand
The use of proactive strategies will decrease the need for you to respond to student problem behavior. Drew E. Schwartz reminds us to keep these top 5 close at hand.
When student behavior needs adjusting, flip the script on the old “sit by yourself desk”. Check out this Florida classroom’s “Motivation Station”, created by adding some picture frames with needed inspiration and some fidget spinners. Looking for ways to turn more negatives into positives will go a long way to motivate students to stay on track, and change their behavior when it’s needed.
Good Instruction = Great Classroom Management
One of the most powerful classroom management tools is good instruction. If students are given the opportunity to collaborate, move around, create, and engage with each other, they're less likely to misbehave. Use pair-shares, fishbowl circles, table teams and other methods of creating engaging (and collaborative) lessons, offering students an opportunity to share what they know and feel accomplished. Included is a great list of activities to increase student engagement to inspire you.
When setting goals for the new year, we tend to go big and look long-term. Not only is it hard to see progress this way, it can also be challenging to know where to start. Small wins move you towards your long-term goal, encouraging people to keep going, especially when you celebrate your achievements. Tangible rewards (i.e. tokens, tickets, etc.) are meant to be reminders for US just as much as they are for the kids. Use them as a strategy to connect with students with challenging behaviors.
Tangible rewards (i.e. tokens, tickets, etc.) are meant to be reminders for US just as much as they are for the kids. Use them as a strategy to connect with students with challenging behaviors.
Assertive vs. Accusative Statements
When problem behavior shows up, it can be challenging to express ourselves in a manner that will encourage students to change their behavior, particularly in the moment. When we express our words in the form of an accusation, typically, we are met with resistance. Try instead, to simply state your message as an “I need” statement, ending with an expression of thanks.
Student Engagement for Good Classroom Management
Keeping students engaged in learning is foundational to good classroom management. Tapping into students’ interests and experiences will provide more opportunities for students to respond while maximizing engagement and promoting academic success. In a recent Edutopia article, Peg Grafwallner discusses three strategies and suggests that teachers can reach content objectives by providing opportunities for students to speak, listen to, read and write about their interests.
Gratitude is good for us! Grateful youth are happier, more satisfied with their lives and selves and report higher GPAs, more engagement and less depression. As adults and teachers we can nurture in our students a more genuine exploration of gratitude when we move beyond lists of what we’re thankful for, and help students consider why the person did it, what the cost was, and what benefits they received from the act.
Research indicates that students with meaningful connections at school are less at-risk. Staff at Cold Springs Middle School in Nevada share a strategy to ensure that every student connects with at least one adult every day in this recent Edutopia article.
Actively Support Healthy Brains
Dr. Lori Desautels reminds us of the negative impact that trauma, stress and anxiety have on the brain and learning. When educators actively teach strategies to address the stress response in the limbic brain areas, they support a boost in emotional regulation, and students’ overall emotional, physiological, and cognitive health. Try one of these strategies today!
Promote Kindness and Inclusion
Helping students feel included and a part of the school environment can go a long way to support their academic and behavioral success and overall engagement (and attendance)! Check out this free, downloadable phone application, “Sit with Us”, to help kids connect with one another during lunch time.
The Yes/No Learning Skills Chart
This intervention strategy displayed visually for easy reference is a great way to re-teach the expectations regularly and offer frequent feedback.
Acknowledging Adherence to Rules and Procedures
Acknowledging appropriate behavior is not only a way to “put the positive on-stage” but to re-teach/re-state your expectations for students.
Their “gotcha” ticket system provides instant reinforcement, plus several opportunities for students to save and spend their paw bucks later.
Positive office referrals are an additional way to recognize students or staff for their outstanding demonstration of the school-wide expectations and to keep the focus for all on the positive.
