Incentives and consequences have really helpful in managing my largest boys classes. I have a bucket of treats and I take them out when the students are especially rambunctious, and it encourages students to quickly get on task. And they suddenly are very excited to participate. I use timers to help establish consequences. I put the timer up if I cannot get students attention with a hand signal. Any time accumulated on the timer, is the amount of time students will stay with me beyond the bell.
this is a great comprehensive list on incentives and consequences. I always made an effort to stick to time limits as much as possible as it also helped ME stay on task and on track. I tried to always give students the big picture of the assignment ahead of time so that they knew that the task at hand clearly served a greater purpose... I also used a timer! Taking away 'their' time did go far in helping them stay on task during class time.
One thing that has worked for me recently as kids seems to be more energetic and distracted is calling parents during class. I’ve made some few calls home and had the parents talk to the child on the phone. After they talk to the parents they calm down in class, which in turns helps the overall class environment.
Clipboards. First of all, super helpful to me, because with a seating chart (and a marking system) it's a quick visual aid for me. Secondly, kids self correct way more quickly when they see you look at them and make notes, since they don't know exactly what you're writing and they aren't as defiant since they're not getting called out. This is my newest favorite thing. It seems so obvious, but seriously, it's amazing.
Candy and time after class is what I consistently use. It gets tricky for the morning periods (2 and3) but if need be I look up their 5th or 6th period and ask to keep the class or particular students get picked up. Candy I give sometimes for tables whose members turned in complete homework, or time to time for doing the "right thing" which can mean showing manners, courtesy, or helping someone out. Sometimes I make calls home on the spot or after school or using connected ed depending on the issue. I think what works well is giving around 3 warnings and making sure students are clear of what type of consequences certain behavior will get (prevents them from wanting to argue or make a case for themselves, which there is no time for). I feel brain breaks are important in my class because I try to acknowledge their effort to focus and trying their personal best, and then letting them therefore they get a break.
I have been doing a positive name wall for my periods. As a class gets loud and rowdy I start writing names of the students on task on the board. At first they asked why? I told them that they could get on the list or off the list. The students on the list leave on time, the others stay behind to clean and set the room up for the next class. This has worked very well.
I tried to give team points for positive behavior and good work habits. (ex. all members in their seat quietly when entering the classroom, everyone in your team completed the homework, volunteered to solve/explain problems on the board, etc) The points will not be deducted instead the other team will get points. At the end of the grading mark, the winning team will get a special treat!
I like placing students in groups of four, and holding them responsible for keeping one another accountable within their group. When one person on the group is off task, the others are held back as well.
Yes this works great. I feel bad sometimes when "good" kids have to suffer consequences for "bad" kids but overall it's a pretty good system for getting the kids to get themselves quiet and on task instead of the teacher going around trying to do it him/herself
I countdown to a consequence. Straight lines in 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and same for Quiet Lines etc. etc. Usually the consequence is the whole line runs. This makes the kids accountable for their own behavior. They'll yell at the kid who's talking to be quiet or get in line.
Also - Mrs. Williams has a cool Class Dojo thing that I just downloaded onto my phone. I showed my boys in P.E. today and they all asked me "was I good?" at the end of the period. Staff should check it out! Very Cool Mrs. Williams thank you!
Always have a box of tricks ( independent projects, workbooks, etc) Have students work in groups and put peer pressure on them. Call home for the kids that do work, however, also call with a positive comments. Keep a log for that kid who is constantly the headache. Teacher-Student conference with positive comments and feedback on how the behavior can change.
It depends on students needs or what they respond to, but positive reinforcements focusing on positive compliments to reinforce their traits or class rewards-have class decide on a reward that is doable to give them more ownership helps.
Try your best to stay calm. For those times when you can't... did you know that when you refer students online, you can select several of them at a time to report on a single incident that involves many of them?
I contact parents a lot...sometimes too much...I do make good calls too so I can focus on positive behavior more than negative behavior...I am also trying more positive remarks whenever someone is not complying with something...
"YOKA School Uniforms are the foundation of school rules. When this is implemented,then students receive message from teacher there are clear rules with clear and consistent expectations and consequences and... rules matter. When school rules are enforced,then school and district rules matter. It starts a in the classroom with ALL school rules and consistency each everyday with each and every child. No freebies or preferred students who are out of UNIFORM daily."
Staying calmed is what works best for me. Sometimes it is really hard but most times it works. It gives you the chance to talk to students and that works well too.
I've tried different things with my elementary kids that may help you guys. I've tried individual awards (having them put a popsicle stick when I feel they are great participants in class discussions, sitting nicely and working quietly, basically anything that a good citizen or good leader would do). Then every Fridays I picked 5 sticks and gave them a prize. Table points (every month they have a mini party), and class points. I know you teachers have ~150 students, which would be harder to do these kinds of positive reinforcements. Maybe you can try with those class who REALLY needs it. :) To have them more focused and on task it's always good to build a lesson plan where they can get up and do some kind of movement. Standing up when answer is yes. Or 4 corners: can use this for multiple choice lessons or pop quiz. Just a thought...
Incentives and consequences have really helpful in managing my largest boys classes. I have a bucket of treats and I take them out when the students are especially rambunctious, and it encourages students to quickly get on task. And they suddenly are very excited to participate. I use timers to help establish consequences. I put the timer up if I cannot get students attention with a hand signal. Any time accumulated on the timer, is the amount of time students will stay with me beyond the bell.
ReplyDeletethis is a great comprehensive list on incentives and consequences. I always made an effort to stick to time limits as much as possible as it also helped ME stay on task and on track. I tried to always give students the big picture of the assignment ahead of time so that they knew that the task at hand clearly served a greater purpose... I also used a timer! Taking away 'their' time did go far in helping them stay on task during class time.
DeleteOne thing that has worked for me recently as kids seems to be more energetic and distracted is calling parents during class. I’ve made some few calls home and had the parents talk to the child on the phone. After they talk to the parents they calm down in class, which in turns helps the overall class environment.
ReplyDeleteClipboards. First of all, super helpful to me, because with a seating chart (and a marking system) it's a quick visual aid for me. Secondly, kids self correct way more quickly when they see you look at them and make notes, since they don't know exactly what you're writing and they aren't as defiant since they're not getting called out. This is my newest favorite thing. It seems so obvious, but seriously, it's amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes, I use my clipboard with seating chart and monitor things like: student responses, materials, behavior, HW, etc.
DeleteCandy and time after class is what I consistently use. It gets tricky for the morning periods (2 and3) but if need be I look up their 5th or 6th period and ask to keep the class or particular students get picked up. Candy I give sometimes for tables whose members turned in complete homework, or time to time for doing the "right thing" which can mean showing manners, courtesy, or helping someone out. Sometimes I make calls home on the spot or after school or using connected ed depending on the issue. I think what works well is giving around 3 warnings and making sure students are clear of what type of consequences certain behavior will get (prevents them from wanting to argue or make a case for themselves, which there is no time for).
ReplyDeleteI feel brain breaks are important in my class because I try to acknowledge their effort to focus and trying their personal best, and then letting them therefore they get a break.
I have been doing a positive name wall for my periods. As a class gets loud and rowdy I start writing names of the students on task on the board. At first they asked why? I told them that they could get on the list or off the list. The students on the list leave on time, the others stay behind to clean and set the room up for the next class. This has worked very well.
ReplyDeleteI tried to give team points for positive behavior and good work habits. (ex. all members in their seat quietly when entering the classroom, everyone in your team completed the homework, volunteered to solve/explain problems on the board, etc)
ReplyDeleteThe points will not be deducted instead the other team will get points. At the end of the grading mark, the winning team will get a special treat!
I like placing students in groups of four, and holding them responsible for keeping one another accountable within their group. When one person on the group is off task, the others are held back as well.
ReplyDeleteYes this works great. I feel bad sometimes when "good" kids have to suffer consequences for "bad" kids but overall it's a pretty good system for getting the kids to get themselves quiet and on task instead of the teacher going around trying to do it him/herself
DeleteI countdown to a consequence. Straight lines in 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and same for Quiet Lines etc. etc. Usually the consequence is the whole line runs. This makes the kids accountable for their own behavior. They'll yell at the kid who's talking to be quiet or get in line.
ReplyDeleteAlso - Mrs. Williams has a cool Class Dojo thing that I just downloaded onto my phone. I showed my boys in P.E. today and they all asked me "was I good?" at the end of the period. Staff should check it out! Very Cool Mrs. Williams thank you!
Always have a box of tricks ( independent projects, workbooks, etc)
ReplyDeleteHave students work in groups and put peer pressure on them.
Call home for the kids that do work, however, also call with a positive comments.
Keep a log for that kid who is constantly the headache.
Teacher-Student conference with positive comments and feedback on how the behavior can change.
I have been calling in parents to sit in the classes with the students. simple but it works better than a conference for me.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on students needs or what they respond to, but positive reinforcements focusing on positive compliments to reinforce their traits or class rewards-have class decide on a reward that is doable to give them more ownership helps.
ReplyDeleteTry your best to stay calm. For those times when you can't... did you know that when you refer students online, you can select several of them at a time to report on a single incident that involves many of them?
ReplyDeleteI contact parents a lot...sometimes too much...I do make good calls too so I can focus on positive behavior more than negative behavior...I am also trying more positive remarks whenever someone is not complying with something...
ReplyDeleteFROM MR. COLACION...
ReplyDelete"YOKA School Uniforms are the foundation of school rules. When this is implemented,then students receive message from teacher there are clear rules with clear and consistent expectations and consequences and... rules matter. When school rules are enforced,then school and district rules matter. It starts a in the classroom with ALL school rules and consistency each everyday with each and every child. No freebies or preferred students who are out of UNIFORM daily."
Staying calmed is what works best for me. Sometimes it is really hard but most times it works. It gives you the chance to talk to students and that works well too.
ReplyDeleteI've tried different things with my elementary kids that may help you guys. I've tried individual awards (having them put a popsicle stick when I feel they are great participants in class discussions, sitting nicely and working quietly, basically anything that a good citizen or good leader would do). Then every Fridays I picked 5 sticks and gave them a prize. Table points (every month they have a mini party), and class points. I know you teachers have ~150 students, which would be harder to do these kinds of positive reinforcements. Maybe you can try with those class who REALLY needs it. :)
ReplyDeleteTo have them more focused and on task it's always good to build a lesson plan where they can get up and do some kind of movement. Standing up when answer is yes. Or 4 corners: can use this for multiple choice lessons or pop quiz. Just a thought...