Intentional Ways to Promote Positive Behavior in the Classroom
The expectations in my classroom are clear and consistent. I always want my room to be considered a safe space, and one way I can do this is by creating a controlled environment. This also allows for maximized instructional time, because students are aware of the established rules and routines.
Relationships The power of establishing relationships with my students and their families is endless. I am very intentional about building rapport with each of my students. Having a deep knowledge and understanding of my students allows me to tailor my lessons and develop behavior plans that reflect their personal needs and interests. In addition to building rapport in the classroom, I try to make some type of connection with my students outside of the school setting as well. By developing an interest in my students’ interests, I’m able to create more positive connections, which helps to promote positive behaviors at school. A few ways I’m able to do this is by scheduling home visits, meeting up at local parks and libraries, attending sporting events, and making myself visible at various school and community events.
Inclusion I am very intentional when adding books to my classroom library. I love finding books that embrace disabilities and differences. Representation is important for everyone to feel included and develop positive perceptions of themselves and others. By introducing books to my students that make them feel included, I am helping to foster positive views of themselves and positive behaviors overall. My students feel connected and cared for in my classroom.
Self-Awareness Helping students with self-awareness is key to promoting positive behaviors for all kids. Each of my students work on a unique set of target behaviors, which can be found at the top of their daily behavior sheets. The daily behavior sheets act as a communication tool between the students, teachers, and parents, but they also serve a much higher purpose. These sheets provide my students with a visual reminder of expectations across all school settings. They also help the students and myself to monitor progress and celebrate growth in certain areas. Another strategy I use in the classroom would be “Money Jars”. The students earn money based on their daily behavior sheet scores. However, they can also earn money for demonstrating positive behaviors that aren’t being directly targeted on their daily sheets. Each Friday, the students count their money and decide if they’d like to save or spend for prizes of varying amounts. My prize menu changes each year based on the interests of my current students. My younger students tend to gravitate towards extrinsic rewards, but I am intentional about helping them develop intrinsic motivation as well. After any type of achievement, I
ask them, “Do YOU feel proud of yourself?” I help to draw the connection between their positive behaviors and positive feelings, which helps them to understand why we act a certain way. (Click on the sample of my behavior sheet to make your own copy!)
Lastly, I provide rewards and incentives that correlate to the function of the behavior(s). For example, if a student consistently engages in attention-seeking behaviors, then I find ways to positively incorporate times in their day when they can gain attention. This school year, I am working to replace one of my student’s disruptive classroom behaviors with the opportunity to tell jokes to our office staff. (I'm pretty sure the office staff are just as excited about this as the students!) While working to eliminate disruptions in the classroom, I am also helping this student to realize that there are more effective ways to go about gaining attention from others.
My students know that I am in their corner and rooting for them to be the best versions of themselves every day, but ultimately the decision is up to them. I can’t make my students do anything, but I can provide instruction, guidance, encouragement, and support as they navigate their own choices and actions. Our classroom environment is a safe space where we recognize that we’re all working towards different goals, and we show each other grace when mistakes are made.
