| Teacher-Tested Tips:
Behavior Management
Submitted by: Pennie, 5-6 Grade
I use a vinyl pocket chart with a pocket for each child. It is called a "Start Chart". We use both good and bad marks in it. The idea is that each child is "reaching for the stars", so I use laminated stars for the good marks. I use brown buttons for the "ground," bad marks. Each time the child does something nice for ... more »»
Behavior Management
Submitted by: Chrisine Votel
Invest in a copy of the Tough Kids Book by Dr. Bill Jenson. It is not expensive and it it filled with wonderful ideas for management at all levels. And best of all it is well written and funny and easy to read. It is available from Soprus West. Happy Reading.
Cards/Positive Reinforcement
Submitted by: divey
My discipline procedure may sound a bit confusing, but I absolutely love it AND it is very concrete for assigning citizenship grades... more »»
Grade Level(s):
K, 1-2, 3-5
Class Tickets
Submitted by: Patty
At the start of each day, each student is given 3 tickets. If a child misbehaves, isn't paying attention, or breaks a class/school rule, I take a ticket from that child. Students can have a ticket taken during lunch time, recess, or at specials. At the end of the day each child turns in the tickets they have left from ... more »»
Grade Level(s):
1-2, 3-5
Classroom Management
Submitted by: Jody Camp
Article: A first grade teacher discusses her behavior management system.
Grade Level(s):
K, 1-2
Classroom Management by Genghis
Submitted by: Genghis the Teacher
Article: Teaching is a great job if you can do two things: 1) Teach the students to be kind and polite. 2) Manage the paperwork. Learn techniques for becoming a better teacher.
Grade Level(s):
6-8, 9-12
Code of Conduct
Submitted by: ldrsaacteachbw
Usually a failure to understand a basic code of conduct leads to tremendous amounts of lost instructional time especially among my younger students such as 9th graders. We have a simple six topic code. It involves dress, lateness, preparation, respect staying in seats and raising hands. Breaking the rules is rewarded ... more »»
Grade Level(s):
9-12
Counting Tickets (Token Economy)
Submitted by: Amanda Post
I have used tickets in my kindergarten classroom, but only did it for one year. I didn't use it as the behavior management system, but it did provide a way to reward students for good behavior and hard work (without going overboard). more »»
Discipline
Submitted by: S. Young
At the beginning of the year I go over my rules and expectations for behavior. I am very clear and give lots of examples. I even have a Top Ten David Letterman-style list of behaviors that bug me, (only it's more than 10), and I give a humorous test with one correct response and the other three choices kind of silly. T... more »»
Disclipline - Punch System
Submitted by: Tracey Jardine
When a student is behaving badly, I say to them, "Give me your punch card" When they walk up, I get my hole punch, place a punch on they're card, write what it was for, the date and then put it away. If they get a 100% on an Accelarated Reader test, spelling test, or any other test, I give them a sticker, and that repr... more »»
Grade Level(s):
4
For low maintenance, cooperative behavior
Submitted by: Gigi Lax
Get rid of all the charts, rewards, gimmicks, etc. - start your daily routine with a brief meeting in which the students and you discuss community-building ideas, problems/solutions, and rules and guidelines for the class. Use that time to develop vocabulary and role-play about concepts such as respect, cooperation, an... more »»
Here's a great brain-based technique
Submitted by: April Hawkins
I have used classical music in my class to keep my students quiet and my sanity intact. I have used "Tune Your Brain With Mozart" which works wonders. I have found that a combination of a morning review and music helps increase attention and learning. I find this very important when dealing with students who have special needs. There is a series of these CD's. I purchased mine through Amazon. Good luck to all with the new school year!
Highly Recommended Book -- Teaching with Love and Logic : Taking Control of the Classroom
Submitted by: Amanda Post, A to Z Teacher Stuff
Teaching with Love and Logic : Taking Control of the Classroom
This book is especially great for dealing with power struggles. Take a look at the reviews -- I wrote the one entitled "reduces the stress level for you AND your students."
Keeping Kids' Attention
Submitted by: Annette G, Fifth
To help manage my students' attention and the classroom behavior in general I purchased a large piece of laminate from a local hardware store (Lowe's, Home Depot has good prices). I had it cut into 12 x 12 inch pieces. Each child has one at their desk (at designated times) with an eraseable marker. As I teach on a conc... more »»
Let Students KNOW What to Expect
Submitted by: Alice Phillips
Have a lengthy discussion on precise expectations of your classroom. There will be few surprises when children are forewarned about exactly how to do well in your particular classroom.
Managing Classroom Jobs, Behavior
Submitted by: Susan Conrad
I have a pocket chart with five rows, and five columns. Each column is labeled a day of the week, to be used for daily helpers. Each row is labeled with moveable arrows attached to clothespins. The classroom chores, such as Leader, Messenger, Clean-up... are labeled and moved at the beginning of each week. Each pocket ... more »»
Pennies from Heaven
Submitted by: Mrs. Leta Bell, Kindergarten, Tulsa Public Schools
I use a penny board. I give each of my students five pennies on velcro. If they make a bad choice. I ask him/her to show me a good kindergarten choice. If he/she hasn't corrected the behavior, a penny is taken from him/her. If they keep all the five pennies at the end of the day my children know that when they arrive t... more »»
Grade Level(s):
K, 1-2
Quiet Classroom
Submitted by: Lisa
Teaching with a block schedule means that each period must have several instructional activities with transitions between them. To ensure that the transitional times in my 7th grade science classroom are quick and efficient, I use this management technique... more »»
Grade Level(s):
6-8, 9-12
Smart Skittles
Submitted by: lori
I do two things:
- I use a jar of "smart skittles" that the children can earn when they are caught doing something good or earn as a class after lunch and in the hallway.
- At the end of the day the children mark off on a daily conduct cardstock sheet they keep in their folder. They color the bubbles either green, yellow or red corresponding to the color they stayed on for that day. This really works because they get to do the work.
Grade Level(s):
K
Traffic Light Behavior Modification
Submitted by: wowpatse
I explain all the rules to follow and unacceptable behavior. Then I have a traffic light large enough to hold all the student's names on clothespins (close to the green area and use both sides). I also have another board which has three phrases: STRIKE ONE, STRIKE TWO, STRIKE THREE. Everyone begins the day on green lig... more »»
Transition troubles... Gone
Submitted by: suz66
My class was having trouble with their behavior during transitions or walking in the hall. I wrote "You and Me" on a T-chart and explained to the class how we had to work together for a happy classroom. When the class followed a class rule, they got the point, when they did not, I got the point. Whoever reached 15 p... more »»
Grade Level(s):
K, 1-2, 3-5
Working Together for Classroom Behavior...
Submitted by: Claudia
In order to motivate the entire class to work together for great classroom behavior, I am designing a race track with several pit rows on poster board. Whenever the class gets a compliment from the principal, a parent, an assistant, or teacher, the race car will be advanced one space. If group misbehavior continues aft... more »» | 
