Classroom/Behavior Management Techniques

A 3-tiered approach covers most incidents: Preventive Supportive Corrective

Preventive: Prevent inappropriate behavior before it occurs. Prioritize this tier to

avoid acting from the later ones.
*SPEAK IN THE POSITIVE. Say, Walk, rather than Dont run. Say, I need you to . . . rather than Stop . . . The positive increases the positive. *OUTLINE YOUR EXPECTATIONS. Tell students on the first day what you expect from them. Let them know the consequences for not following expectations. Remember, its after school and students may assume that they dont have to be on in-school behavior. Expecting good behavior increases good behavior. *GO OVER STUDENT CONTRACT AND STICK TO IT. Review the Discipline Plan with students on the first day of class. All students will have received a copy, and you will have your own. Let students know how many warnings they will get and at what point they will be sent to the school outreach coordinator. *FIND THE GOOD IN ALL STUDENTS. All students are good. Behavior, not students, is bad. Students need to be reminded of expectations. *STAY CALM. Students are learning and growing. Students will also test you and their given limits. Remain calm, cool, and collected at all times. Speak calmly and respectfully at all times. *GIVE PRAISE. Build students self-esteem and self-worth by praising them as often as possible. Be sure to praise all students equally. *SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM & INTEREST. Its contagious!

Supportive: At the first instance of inappropriate behavior, respond immediately. Do

so in a way that supports students to make more appropriate choices in the future.
*TAKE ACTION. When discipline problems occur, take action immediately and assertively. Be firm. Hold your ground. Students need to know the limits of their behavior. *GIVE REMINDERS.Without threatening the student, remind the student of the appropriate choice, as well as the consequence for proceeding in the inappropriate direction.

*USE THE LOOK. A disapproving look, and even just a look that lets a student know that youre watching, goes a long way in stopping inappropriate behavior in the early stages. *CLOSE IN A LITTLE. When a student or students begin to talk or otherwise behave inappropriately, you can often encourage them to change the behavior without a word, just by standing a little closer to them.

Corrective: If the inappropriate behavior continues, or if the inappropriate behavior is

one specified in the discipline policy, corrective action is necessary. The classroom teacher, and then the school outreach coordinator, will administer the proper consequences for the behavior. When in doubt, check with the school outreach coordinator about how to proceed.
*DONT TELL. ASK. Ask students what they think they did wrong instead of telling them. Get students to identify their own negative behavior. *TAKE THEM ASIDE. Talk to students away from the rest of the class. Embarrassing them in front of their friends only worsens the situation. And remember, every moment is an opportunity for a student to follow expectations.

DO NOT:
TAKE BAD BEHAVIOR PERSONALLY. ALLOW DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS TO SPOIL THE CLASS FOR OTHERS. USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF ANY KIND. THINK YOU ARE ALONE -Talk with the school outreach coordinator, Outreach staff, or school teacher/administrator about any issues or concerns.