Applying Classroom Rules and Procedures
Awareness of problems and quick attention
to them are important for classroom management. Applying classroom rules and
procedures properly can decrease those potential problems. Teachers can use a series
of graduated actions to be proactive in the entire room. The following are the
positive and negative reinforcements with my own experience.
Positive
reinforcement
l Use Simple Verbal and Nonverbal Acknowledgment
To provide positive reinforcement for adherence to rules and
procedures is to use verbal and nonverbal forms of recognition.
n Verbal acknowledgment is like to praise students that they did a
nice job and carry out the classroom rules and procedures. For example, commenting
to students with a thank-you is very useful. Cleaning up the table after using
it is one of my classroom rules. I always leave some time for students to
organize their artwork and clean up the environment. Most of them will do it
without my asking, but some of them will forget or keep working on their
artwork until the last minute. I praise those students who clean up their
tables by saying thank you. Like “Katie, thank you so much for cleaning the
classroom. This is a very good behavior and will get a point on the white
board.” (They get points when they behave.)
n Nonverbal acknowledgments are like smiles, nods, winks, thumbs-up
signs, and A-OK signs. For those students who are embarrassed by public
acknowledgment, these kinds of private interactions will be more appropriate. I
gave my students thumbs-up signs when they were doing a good job on their artwork.
I also commented on what I thought were excellent parts of their work and gave
some suggestions of where they can do better.
l Use Tangible Recognition When Appropriate
Tangible recognition is a way for students to adherence to the
classroom rules and procedures.
n I established a system of points for adherence to rules and
procedures throughout the art class. Students will get points for being
behaved, following the rules and procedures, and using art supplies appropriately.
When students collect 10 points, their magnets will go to the “Candy World”. They can exchange the points to real candies.
Negative
reinforcements
l Use Tangible Recognition When Appropriate
n Students will lose their point by not sitting on their seat, not
following the rules and procedures, or disturbing others. When a student’s
points become negative, his or hers magnet will go to the “Poop Pile”. So far
right now none of my students have been to the poop pile, but some of them
reached the candy world and gotten real candies.
l List typical reactions to student misbehavior
n I took students’ points and wrote down students’ misbehaviors and
told students, “This is why I have to take away your points.” Next time, before
he or she tries to do the same thing again, I will remind him/her that that was
the behavior cost your points and I hope that will not happen again.
n If students were put in the poop pile, it would only be for more serious issues, or after repeated warnings. Being in the poop pile would mean having the student meet with myself and their homeroom teacher to talk about the situation in the class, and how to prevent future happenings. Though it has never been used, the threat of it is working as a strong enough deterrent to prevent problems. This negative reinforcement acts more as a reminder for students to behave. The idea is that teachers should focus on positive reinforcement as much as possible, but students should understand that there may be consequences for unacceptable behavior.
n If students were put in the poop pile, it would only be for more serious issues, or after repeated warnings. Being in the poop pile would mean having the student meet with myself and their homeroom teacher to talk about the situation in the class, and how to prevent future happenings. Though it has never been used, the threat of it is working as a strong enough deterrent to prevent problems. This negative reinforcement acts more as a reminder for students to behave. The idea is that teachers should focus on positive reinforcement as much as possible, but students should understand that there may be consequences for unacceptable behavior.
Teachers should remember the balanced
approach, which involves acknowledgment of positive behavior and negative
behavior.
Good
classroom management can prevent situations from happening:
u Give students positive attention.
u Know your students issues and prepare for them.
u Don't engage their argumentative behavior.
If
prevention is not possible, know how to handle and de-escalate situations:
u Stay calm and keep your professional composure
u Take students out of the bad situation and let them cool off.
u Have a relationship built on trust so that they can feel safe and
comfortable.
Process for positive and
negative reinforcement
(Click
to see the flowchart)
Reference
The Art and Science of Teaching from:
