Teaching with Valor A Veteran's Perspective Podcast "Managing Student Behavior"

Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we celebrate the dedication and resilience of educators everywhere.

I’m your host, Don J. Fessenden, and today, we’re diving into an essential aspect of classroom management: Managing Student Behavior. 

We’ll explore strategies for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, and include two additional segments to provide a comprehensive understanding of this topic.

Stay tuned for a special bonus segment where we’ll answer a parent question related to managing student behavior. 

Show notes:

To learn more about this topic checkout the following resources:

1. "The Classroom Behavior Manual" by Scott Ervin
2. "Teaching with Love and Logic" by Charles Fay and Jim Fay
3. PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) - www.pbis.org
4. Edutopia - Resources for Classroom Management
5. The IRIS Center - Vanderbilt University (https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/)

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:08

Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we celebrate the dedication and resilience of educators everywhere. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re diving into an essential aspect of classroom management: Managing Student Behavior. We’ll explore strategies for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, and include two additional segments to provide a comprehensive understanding of this topic. Stay tuned for a special bonus segment where we’ll answer a parent question related to managing student behavior. Let’s get started! In our first segment we will be looking at Managing Student Behavior in Elementary School. Elementary classrooms are the foundation of a child's education, and establishing effective behavior management strategies is crucial for creating a positive learning environment. Let’s explore some techniques that can help teachers manage student behavior effectively at this level. One key approach is to establish clear expectations and routines. Young children thrive on structure, and having a predictable classroom environment helps them understand what is expected of them. Teachers can create visual schedules, set consistent routines, and use simple, clear language to explain classroom rules. For example, a teacher might use a morning meeting to review the day’s schedule and reinforce behavior expectations. Positive reinforcement is another powerful tool. Praising students for good behavior and rewarding them with small incentives, like stickers or extra playtime, can encourage them to follow the rules. Additionally, using a behavior chart to track individual or class-wide behavior can help students visualize their progress and stay motivated. Imagine Ms. Thompson’s first-grade classroom. She starts each day with a morning meeting where she reviews the schedule and reminds students of the classroom rules. Throughout the day, she uses a behavior chart to track positive behaviors, and students earn stars for following the rules. At the end of the week, they can trade in their stars for small rewards. By establishing clear expectations and using positive reinforcement, Ms. Thompson creates a supportive and well-managed classroom environment. Now as we move on to our second segment and a closer look at how to Manage Student Behavior in Middle School. Middle school students are navigating significant developmental changes, and managing their behavior requires a balance of structure and support. Let’s explore strategies that can help teachers manage behavior effectively at this level. One effective approach is to build strong relationships with students. Middle schoolers are more likely to respond positively to teachers they trust and respect. Taking the time to get to know students, showing genuine interest in their lives, and being consistent in enforcing rules can help build this trust. For instance, greeting students at the door, holding regular check-ins, and listening to their concerns can go a long way in establishing strong teacher-student relationships. Another strategy is to use restorative practices. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, restorative practices aim to repair harm and restore relationships. For example, if a student disrupts the class, a teacher might hold a restorative circle where the student can express their feelings, understand the impact of their behavior, and work towards making amends. This approach not only addresses the behavior but also helps students develop empathy and social skills. Consider Mr. Garcia’s seventh-grade classroom. He takes the time to build strong relationships with his students by greeting them at the door and holding regular check-ins. When behavioral issues arise, he uses restorative circles to address the situation and help students understand the impact of their actions. By combining strong relationships with restorative practices, Mr. Garcia creates a respectful and well-managed classroom environment. Unfortunately, if a students behavior has not been dealt with in elementary and middle school it will be extremely challenging in high school but here are some things you can try in Managing Student Behavior in High School. High school students are preparing for adulthood, and managing their behavior involves guiding them towards independence and responsibility. Let’s explore strategies that can help teachers manage behavior effectively at this level. One effective approach is to implement clear and consistent expectations. High school students need to understand the rules and consequences of their actions. Teachers can create a classroom contract at the beginning of the year, outlining the expected behaviors and consequences for not adhering to them. This contract should be reviewed regularly and enforced consistently to ensure students understand and respect the rules. Another strategy is to involve students in the decision-making process. Giving students a voice in creating classroom rules and consequences can increase their buy-in and commitment to following them. For example, a teacher might hold a class meeting at the beginning of the year to discuss and agree on the rules and expectations. This collaborative approach helps students feel more responsible for their behavior and fosters a sense of ownership. Imagine Ms. Patel’s eleventh-grade classroom. At the beginning of the year, she holds a class meeting to discuss and create a classroom contract outlining the rules and consequences. Throughout the year, she consistently enforces these rules and holds regular meetings to review and adjust them as needed. By involving students in the decision-making process and maintaining clear expectations, Ms. Patel creates a respectful and well-managed classroom environment. Now let us look at some Strategies for Supporting Challenging Behaviors. Supporting students with challenging behaviors requires a compassionate and individualized approach. Let’s explore some strategies that can help teachers support these students effectively. One effective strategy is to use functional behavior assessments. Functional Behavior Assessments involve identifying the underlying causes of challenging behaviors and developing interventions to address them. For example, if a student frequently disrupts the class to gain attention, a teacher might develop a plan to provide positive attention for appropriate behaviors, while teaching the student alternative ways to seek attention. Another strategy is to implement behavior intervention plans. Behavior Intervention Plans are individualized plans that outline specific strategies for addressing challenging behaviors. For instance, a Behavior Intervention Plan might include a plan to teach a student self-regulation skills, provide regular breaks, and use positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviors. Consider Ms. Lopez’s third-grade classroom. She has a student who frequently disrupts the class to gain attention. After conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment, she develops a Behavior Intervention Plan that includes teaching the student alternative ways to seek attention, providing regular breaks, and using positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviors. By using these strategies, Ms. Lopez is able to support the student’s behavior and create a positive classroom environment. Our last segment today is how we can Collaborate with Families to Support Behavior. Collaboration with families is essential for supporting student behavior. Let’s explore some strategies for effective family collaboration. One important strategy is to maintain open and regular communication with families. Keeping families informed about their child’s behavior, both positive and negative, helps build a partnership between home and school. Teachers can use various communication methods, such as emails, phone calls, and parent-teacher conferences, to keep families informed and involved. Another strategy is to involve families in developing behavior plans. Collaborating with families to create and implement behavior plans ensures that the strategies used at school are reinforced at home. For example, if a student has a behavior intervention plan, the teacher might meet with the family to discuss the plan and provide resources for supporting the student’s behavior at home. Imagine Mr. Lee’s fifth-grade classroom. He maintains regular communication with families through weekly emails and phone calls. When a student exhibits challenging behavior, he meets with the family to develop a behavior intervention plan and provides resources for supporting the student at home. By collaborating with families, Mr. Lee creates a supportive and consistent environment for his students. In today's bonus segment we will address a common question from parents: How can I support my child’s behavior at home? Supporting your child’s behavior at home involves creating a positive and structured environment. One way to do this is by establishing clear and consistent rules and routines. This helps children understand what is expected of them and provides a sense of stability. For example, you might create a daily schedule that includes time for homework, chores, and leisure activities. Another important aspect is to use positive reinforcement. Praising your child for good behavior and providing small rewards can encourage them to follow the rules. For instance, you might use a behavior chart to track your child’s positive behaviors and reward them with extra screen time or a special treat. It’s also important to maintain open communication with your child’s teacher. Keeping the lines of communication open allows you to stay informed about your child’s behavior at school and collaborate on strategies for supporting their behavior at home. That’s all for today’s episode of Teaching with Valor. I hope you found these insights into managing student behavior helpful and inspiring. Remember, effective behavior management requires a combination of clear expectations, positive reinforcement, and collaboration with families. Until next time, stay valiant and keep making a difference in the lives of your students.