Effective classroom management requires a variety of approaches to ensure students understand, learn, and follow appropriate behavior norms. Continuing from the first article in this series, let's take a look at several Tier One teacher-managed responses that foster positive classroom behavior.
What You Will Learn
In this article, you'll take a look at practical ways to implement strategies like requiring restitution, issuing apologies, pre-correction, behavior rehearsals, and redirection to promote better behavior:
Restitution: Guide students to restore their place in the classroom community.
Apology Letters: Help students express responsibility through writing.
Pre-Correction: Use context-based reminders to prevent misbehavior.
Behavior Rehearsals: Reinforce appropriate behaviors through guided practice.
Redirection: Gently but firmly redirect students to desired behaviors.
Require Restitution
Teacher Response: Require restitution through a community or classroom service restitution log.
What It Looks Like: Provide students with an assignment that benefits the community or classroom. It could include cleaning up a specific area, helping with a class project, or creating something useful for their peers. Document the assignment in a restitution log to ensure accountability and track progress.
Emily Johnson's Community Service
Student Name | Grade | Date Service Begins | Type of Service | Total Hours | Supervisor |
Emily Johnson | 5 | 05/13/2024 | Cafeteria Assistant | 2 | Ms. Parker |
Date | Location | Amount of Time | Staff Signature | Comments |
05/13/24 | School Library | 2 hours | Ms. Parker | Organized books and shelves |
05/14/24 | School Library | 3 hours | Ms. Parker | Cataloged new books |
05/15/24 | School Library | 3 hours | Ms. Parker | Assisted with inventory |
Actionable Steps:
Restitution Log: Create a log template that lists specific classroom service tasks or community-based activities students can complete for restitution. Ensure the tasks are meaningful and appropriate.
Positive Framing: Emphasize how these activities contribute positively to the classroom environment, helping students feel responsible and connected.
Require an Apology
Teacher Response: Require an apology letter for the student to write to the stakeholders.
What It Looks Like: Have the student write an apology letter that clearly states their understanding of the misbehavior and who was affected. The letter should include the specific actions the student will take to correct the behavior moving forward.
Here’s a table designed as a graphic organizer template for an apology letter. This layout will guide students through the process of writing an effective apology by addressing key elements:
Section of Apology Letter | Description | Student's Response |
Who Was Impacted | List the names of individuals or groups affected by your actions. | |
Identify and Own the Behavior | What was your action? Describe the behavior you are apologizing for. | |
What Hurt Did You Cause? | Explain the consequences of your actions on others or the situation. | |
Identify the Function of the Behavior | Why did you behave this way? Choose one: (a) To get something (b) To avoid something (c) Emotional response | |
Lessons Learned | Give examples of what you have learned from this situation. | |
Preventative Measures | What will you do to prevent choosing this behavior again? | |
Assurance | Assure those affected that this behavior will not happen again because... | |
Signature as Apology Contract | Sign here to indicate your commitment to your words and promises in this letter. |
This structured template encourages thorough reflection and articulation of thoughts, facilitating a sincere and effective apology. Adjustments can be made to cater to specific educational settings or age groups.
Actionable Steps:
Apology Letter Template: Provide students with a structured template for writing their apologies, emphasizing empathy and responsibility.
Reflection Prompts: Encourage students to reflect on their behavior by providing questions like, "How did my behavior affect others?" and "What will I do differently next time?"
Use Pre-Correction
Teacher Response: Use pre-correction to identify context and predictable behavior.
What It Looks Like: Work with the student to identify situations where misbehavior is likely to occur. Remind the student of behavioral expectations just before they enter that context, helping them mentally prepare to meet expectations.
Actionable Steps:
Behavioral Patterns: Help the student recognize patterns where misbehavior is likely, like transitions between classes or during group work.
Pre-Correction Cue: Establish a unique cue word or phrase with the student that acts as a gentle reminder before entering challenging contexts.
Use Behavior Rehearsals
Teacher Response: Use behavior rehearsals to reinforce appropriate behavior.
What It Looks Like: Ask the student to recall the correct behavior, model it, or use a checklist as a visual reminder. Practice the desired behavior in a low-stakes, supportive environment.
Actionable Steps:
Role-Playing: Have students role-play scenarios where they practice the desired behavior, either with the teacher or their peers.
Behavior Checklist: Create a simple behavior checklist that students can carry and review before challenging contexts.
Try Redirection
Teacher Response: Use redirection promptly to encourage appropriate behavior.
What It Looks Like: Quickly remind the student of the appropriate behavior they should be demonstrating, providing a clear alternative to the misbehavior. Use positive phrasing to encourage a smooth transition back to appropriate behavior.
Actionable Steps:
Positive Framing: Frame the redirection positively, like, "Remember to use your indoor voice," rather than pointing out the misbehavior directly.
Visual Reminders: Use non-verbal cues, like pointing to a visual behavior reminder, to discreetly redirect without interrupting the class.
Each of these strategies can be adapted to your unique classroom environment, ensuring that Tier One teacher-managed responses remain effective and supportive. Let me show you how this might look in your class by sharing examples or experiences in the comments below!
Feel free to modify or expand this article further to align with your vision and writing style!