Happy February! A new month means two new classroom management strategies. I hope you'll find each of them helpful to you in your own classroom!
To download a printable version of the "If... then..." Behavior Statements Reference Sheet, click here.
To download a printable version of the Positive Framing Reference Sheet, click here.
I love using positive framing. I say "I see that so and so has their pencil in the air," "Pink table is ready and has a bubble in their mouth." It really makes a difference and shows examples to students who may not be following directions and they quickly get on task. I like using table because then other tables work together to get everyone on task and listening.
ReplyDeleteThe if…then…behavior statements came at the perfect time! This month we pulled out the mini Judy clocks to learn time. On the first day before passing the clocks out to my students, I gathered all of them on the rug and told them the rules and procedures on how and when to use the clocks (don’t move the hour hand, it will break them…clocks in laps “surrender” proceed…you’re in surrender position so don’t touch them while I teach and talk to you…etc.) I expressed to them IF they don’t follow these directions while gathered on the rug using the clocks THEN I would take their clock away and they would just sit there and watch the other kids play with the clocks. We got into our lesson and I called out my “clock in your lap… SURENDER” procedure. After calling that out as I began to teach, I had a few students touching/playing with their clock, my “if…then…” made it really easy for me to then take the clocks away because I had already covered the “if…then…” with the whole class. After that no one made that same mistake the next day while using our clocks.
ReplyDeleteI love using If, Then statements in my classroom. I have a student who loves to be defiant and see what he can get away with. When I say "Well if you choose to _____, then unfortunately we will have to move your clip down. Is that still what you would like to choose?". I think it helps him think about the future instead of making an impulsive decision.
ReplyDeleteI love positive framing. I love how it shows students examples of what they are suppose to be doing. I also like using if...then...statements. It helps my students and myself understand what will happen when they do or do not do something.
ReplyDeleteI think that positive framing is very important and very hard to do all the time. I love the statement about having a mind-set in which you cannot imagine the students would not do just what you asked. However, this is a tough order, when time after time we deal with students that have perfected the art of not doing what anyone asks. For example, I was appalled at the demonstration of this behavior by students towards parents at conference. In retrospect, I wish I had done something about this. It was almost to show me that, "see I can do whatever behavior I want and get away with it." I think this is when it is really hard to almost fool yourself in thinking that students will comply under these types of circumstances. I'm not saying that I don't think it is a valuable tool to be able to basically pretend that things are going to go like smooth glass, but I do think that sometimes authenticity with students can also be an effective tool. The students that have often not perfected the learning are experts in behavior manipulation. That said, I have tried to be more positive about students' behavior in my classroom. I, for some reason, can remain very positive about the academic struggles, but I guess I just expect better behavior because it seems to be so much of a choice. Further, at this time of the year, I have usually got "it' because the students respect me (and maybe want to please me?). So, because I don't feel like I have students wanting to behave, I am curious to think about how to reach students to want those further outlying goals, not just to please me. How to reach kids, right? The ultimate question--the motivation factor is everything.
ReplyDeleteI have been the worst at if... then... scenarios. Luckily I don't run into many problems. This is something I need to think about more often. I do use positive framing all the time. It is such an easy thing to do if I have a hand full of students off task. I have noticed students working extra hard to get me to use them as the example.
ReplyDeletePositive framing is an excellent tool. Picking out the students or groups that are doing well or following directions and giving them positive praise, usually gets the others kids on track. Especially when it those groups receive dojo points or table points towards in class activities or good work certificates. Implementing the "if...then..." statements before an activity is a big help. Student know what they can and can't get away with. They remind me of the veliciraptors in Jurassic Park that attack the fence to find the weak points. Even with stating the rules and consequences multiple times during the year, the if...then... statements need to be explicitly given on activities that require a bit more finesse.
ReplyDeleteIf then statements are nice because students see that they can influence what happens to them in either a negative or positive way. If you don't finish the assignment then you need to stay until your done. if you finish the assignment you can have some free time to work on what you want from the following choices. Positive Framing is something that I was better at in the beginning of the year. Some students I don't really give the benefit of the doubt to as much anymore. I find myself apologizing more often for not being as positive as I want to be. I have really been working on trying to make only positive comments in class unless somethings going on that needs to be stopped immediately.
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