top ten classroom behaviors
Below is a list of the top ten most "annoying" classroom behaviors prevalent in elementary school. Below each behavior is a suggestion of how to appropriately deal with the behavior in a healthy way in order to help the student.
1. Frequent Use of Bathroom
2. Constantly Seeking Attention
3. Tattling
4. Talking Out of Turn
5. Personal Space
6. Clingy
7. Crying
8. Bullying
Cool down. Don't try to resolve a conflict when you are angry (or the other person is angry). Take a time-out, or agree to meet again in 24 hours.
Describe the conflict. Each person should tell about what happened in his or her own words. No put-downs allowed! Important: Although each person may have a different view of the conflict and use different words to describe it, neither account is "right" or "wrong."
Describe what caused the conflict. What specific events led up to the conflict? What happened first? Next? Did the conflict start out as a minor disagreement or difference of opinion? What happened to turn it into a conflict? Important: Don't label the conflict either person's "fault."
Describe the feelings raised by the conflict. Again, each person should use his or her own words. Honesty is important. No blaming allowed!
Listen carefully and respectfully while the other person is talking. Try to understand his or her point of view. Don't interrupt. It might help to "reflect" the other person's perceptions and feelings by repeating them. Examples: "You didn't like it when I called you a name." "Your feelings are hurt." "You thought you should have first choice about what game to play at recess." "You're sad because you felt left out."
Brainstorm solutions to the conflict. Follow the three basic rules of brainstorming: (1) All ideas are okay, and (2) No one makes fun of anyone's ideas.
Be creative. Affirm each other's ideas. Be open to new ideas. Make a list of brainstormed ideas so participants will remember them all; then choose one solution to try. Be willing to negotiate and compromise.
9. Constant Motion
10. Meltdowns & Temper Tantrums
Source: http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/classmgmt/bully_free.htm
1. Frequent Use of Bathroom
- Only one boy and one girl can go to the bathroom at the same time
- Limited number of passes per day
- Have an appropriate pass available so that students don’t have to disrupt class
- Clip system
2. Constantly Seeking Attention
- Star/Student of the week
- Classroom jobs/chores
- Give attention seeking students 5 minutes of your direct attention each day
3. Tattling
- Students may only tell the teacher if a student is acting in a way that is providing a harmful environment. If a student tattles inappropriately, both students will receive appropriate consequences for acting out against the rules.
4. Talking Out of Turn
- Student's name will be written on the board with a strike system. One strike is a warning, two strikes is no recess/special, and three strikes is a call home to their parents or guardian.
5. Personal Space
- Explain to students the proper distance one should use when speaking to another person.
- Tell students that everyone does not like to be touched, hugged, or poked.
6. Clingy
- Throughout the day, praise "clingy" students for completing their work.
- Keep the daily routine the same each day. Insecure kids who attach themselves to you will enjoy the structure of knowing what is going to happen in advance.
- Activities requiring an active response pattern may be more helpful than those requiring a passive response.
- Try placement in various groups to determine which group seems to result in success for the clingy student.
7. Crying
- Accept the student crying, and try to talk to them one-on-one about what he or she might be upset about.
- Crying is a healthy stress relief for children. If they need a break from class, the teacher might send them to the nurse or school psychologist/counselor for a brief amount of time. This will enable the student to calm down, process their emotions, and return to class ready to work.
8. Bullying
- Implement steps to conflict resolution in the classroom. An example of what this might look like is below:
Cool down. Don't try to resolve a conflict when you are angry (or the other person is angry). Take a time-out, or agree to meet again in 24 hours.
Describe the conflict. Each person should tell about what happened in his or her own words. No put-downs allowed! Important: Although each person may have a different view of the conflict and use different words to describe it, neither account is "right" or "wrong."
Describe what caused the conflict. What specific events led up to the conflict? What happened first? Next? Did the conflict start out as a minor disagreement or difference of opinion? What happened to turn it into a conflict? Important: Don't label the conflict either person's "fault."
Describe the feelings raised by the conflict. Again, each person should use his or her own words. Honesty is important. No blaming allowed!
Listen carefully and respectfully while the other person is talking. Try to understand his or her point of view. Don't interrupt. It might help to "reflect" the other person's perceptions and feelings by repeating them. Examples: "You didn't like it when I called you a name." "Your feelings are hurt." "You thought you should have first choice about what game to play at recess." "You're sad because you felt left out."
Brainstorm solutions to the conflict. Follow the three basic rules of brainstorming: (1) All ideas are okay, and (2) No one makes fun of anyone's ideas.
Be creative. Affirm each other's ideas. Be open to new ideas. Make a list of brainstormed ideas so participants will remember them all; then choose one solution to try. Be willing to negotiate and compromise.
9. Constant Motion
- Students could be provided exercise balls to sit on during class to get the wiggles out!
- The teacher may grant frequent breaks for the students to get up and move around.
- Kinesthetic learning could be implemented into lesson planning to engage frequently fidgeting students.
10. Meltdowns & Temper Tantrums
- Be aware of the triggers certain students have. Try to avoid triggering these students' emotions during class to decrease the likelihood of a meltdown or temper tantrum.
- Have procedures in place to follow for student triggers. Speak to the special education teacher if the student qualifies for special education services in order to follow a behavior plan or IEP for the student.
Source: http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/classmgmt/bully_free.htm