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.
Harness the Power of Peer Influence
Using positive peer influence can be a powerful strategy to take back control of an out-of-control class. Student-generated classroom expectations are helpful for the start of the year, however, the activity can be revisited (or initiated) at any time throughout the year. Try this strategy used by Danny Uyechi and Becky Corr to help students realize that collectively, order and clear expectations are preferred over chaos and unproductivity.
“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.
Aleta Margolis believes excellent instruction engages students intellectually, emotionally, and physically. When we shift classroom practices and invite students to move in class, we can create vibrant environments where students are more likely to be engaged, instruction and new ideas are internalized and new skills are built. When given the freedom and responsibility to explore, new ways of communicating, community building and problem solving can emerge, as students are asked to complete far more complex, demanding work (being fully engaged in body and mind) than just sitting and listening. Follow the link for some examples of how teachers have incorporated movement into learning.
Keeping students engaged is an essential ingredient to managing classroom behaviors. Encouraging discourse in the classroom supports students in paying attention to one another and the material being presented or discussed. It also provides more opportunities for student voice and contributions to the learning of everyone. The use of “Talk Moves” can support students’ focus and boost participation, as they are called upon to either repeat, add-on, or give a silent signal of agreement or disagreement. (examples included)
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…
As the school year comes to a close, take time to support students reflections on the year and the progress that has been made. There is a lot to celebrate! Marieke van Woerkom from Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility offers this activity as a suggestion to close the year, including a poem and some guiding questions.
As educators, we can support the development of social-emotional learning in many different ways over the course of a day with students. Perspective-taking helps foster empathy. Kids that consider the other side, are better equipped to manage conflicts, be less judgmental and more supportive of others as they anticipate the other’s behavior or thinking. Michele Borba shares 8 ways to teach perspective taking and stretch students’ empathy muscles (a link to the article included).
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)
“Connect to correct” is a great motto to keep in mind, as it leaves students’ dignity intact and provides our best chance at changing behavior. (8 steps of "Connect to Correct" process 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.
Join us for an opportunity to network and share ideas on how to best support students and each other. *Please note the date has been changed for this event to May 10th
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.
Encouraging students to do what we want them to do is aided by the words we choose to use. The delivery of these words makes all the difference in the impact. Aim for praise that is positive and non-judgmental, specific, sincere, and immediate. Included are some examples of what to say, provided by PBIS Apps.
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.
Students include what tasks they want to accomplish for the day, what specific skills they want to learn, or what they hope to achieve by working alone or with others.
When we are active, we increase blood flow to the brain, promoting mental clarity, physical and neurological health.
