1. Prevention: If you can prevent the behavior, then you save the time and energy it takes to 'correct' the misbehavior. Prevention begins with firm, clear, concise statements about your expectations or directions and knowing your students and their personalities. Prevention also includes teaching appropriate behavior by direct instruction, describing, modeling, practicing, reviewing, encouraging and when necessary, rewarding.

2. Children at any grade should take an active role in deciding and creating their classroom rules and consequences. This makes it easier to hold them accountable for their actions.

3. Student compliance with the rules is reinforced:

Younger students more frequently: little certificates, compliments, smiles, nods of approval, line leaders, chore helpers, stickers, etc.

Older students when appropriate: reward jar, money coupons, and positive phone calls or awards sent home.

4. Students who chose to challenge the rules receive negative consequences: quiet time working away from the group, writing apology letters to the people he/she did not respect or hurt, letters or phone calls home that discuss inappropriate behavior, etc.

 

When a classroom is in control, the teacher can build positive and trusting relationships with his/her students. In a safe learning environment, the teacher can listen carefully to what his/her students have to say, speak respectfully to them, and treat everyone fairly. I feel as though a teacher can be demanding, yet warm in interaction, supportive, and respectful when addressing misbehavior.

Although one method typically works for the majority, one or two students in the classroom might have to have a supplemental method. Thus it is necessary to have several methods/ideas at hand to reinforce the classroom rules.