Behaviour Management

Context:

General

When a student is behaving and reacting in a negative way, it is vital to use the appropriate behaviour management strategies for the situation at hand. It is important to acknowledge the complexity of a situation prior to managing it. It is essential to ensure expectations are set from the beginning of the year. Having clear expectations allows students to recognise appropriate behaviour for in the classroom and during their play time. One way in particular that I have learnt how to manage difficult situations is through restorative practices. I attended the Bill Hansberry - Behavior Development and Restorative Practices. I have found this training PD to be extremely powerful, one in which developed my skills as an educator to manage challenging behaviour.

Year 5 Student

Further, there is one student in my 2021 Year 5 class with some behaviour issues. Mostly, how he expresses and manages his emotions and feelings in certain situations I have supported this student through different strategies to help him recognise and express his feelings in a more appropriate matter. Through meetings and conversations with Mum and my co-teacher, we have created a journal for this student.

Annotation/Action:

General

At Keithcot Farm Primary School, we also implement 'Play Is The Way' (PITW). A program that emphasises on the philosophy of behaviour education that fosters independent, self-managing, self-motivated, empathetic, life-long learners. Students go through each day stating one of the PITW qualities, and make it their goal to achieve it by the end of the day. E.g. 'treat others as you would like them to treat you.' This allows students to think at the beginning of the day, 'what actions can I take to ensure I reach this goal?' Discussing this at the beginning of each days provides students with a focus of what needs to be achieved before dismissal. Further, I have behaviour ladder that students respond well too and often use a lot of praise for those who make their way up the ladder, this encourages others to achieve the same. Further, I have students be board buddies as well as compete for table group points.

Year 5 Student

In regards to my current student with behaviour issues, he expresses his thoughts through this journal. When he can feel himself building up in sadness, anger or frustration, he is to turn to his journal to express why he is feeling that way. It is up to him whether he shares this with his teachers or not, however it is a way for him to manage him emotions in a calm way, other than being aggressive with school property.

Results:

General

I have found following PITW and using the behaviour management ladder allows students to understand and reflect on their behaviour. It has been effective and there hasn't been any issues. I believe that being firm but fair and using restorative practices, sets students up with high expectations that must be met. Students have found the be respectful to myself, and respectful to their peers as well. I believe that the PITW philosophy allows students to learn lifelong skills, responsibilities and values as well. A philosophy that students respond well too. I have also found Bill Hansberry PD on restorative practices to be powerful and effective in dealing with challenging behaviours. An approach that was well worth learning.

Year 5 Student

Creating this journal for my Year 5 Student has been successful. The student has been able to manage his emotions in a better way and is able to now self-regulate. I believe that his communication has developed as well which has been rewarding. He mostly shares what he writes in his journal to seek further support which then turns into a discussion with each other where reflection, outcomes and goals are distinguished.

Evaluation:

General

These philosophies and strategies for behaviour management are ones that I plan on using consistently in the future. I plan to build on my behaviour manage processes to ensure that they are effective, firm and fair. I believe that behaviour management comes with continuous change based on the class and the individual students. Therefore I aim to continue trialling new strategies as well as building on my own to ensure all approaches are strong and consistent.

Year 5 Student

I believe that this has been a great strategy to incorporate for this student. The changes that have been seen with him is rewarding. This not only has developed his management skills, but also increased his productivity with his academic learning. He cares thoroughly about his work and places in more effort due to releasing these feelings quickly then getting back on task. It has been a great tool that I would try with students in the future. Sometimes students feel better discussing situations in non-verbal ways, which has been the case for this specific student.

Standards:

3.1 Establish challenging learning goals

3.3 Use teaching strategies

3.4 Select and use resources

4.2 Manage classroom activities

4.3 Manage challenging behaviour

4.4 Maintain student safety