Behavior Management Techniques in a Classroom

1. Behavior Management Techniques in a Classroom Definition of Behavior Disruptive Behaviors Primary Causes of Misbehavior Needs being Revealed Effects in the classroom Taking positive action Common Mistakes

2. Definition of Behavior • Behavior is: Any observable and measurable action that can be seen or heard exhibited by human beings and influenced by culture, attitudes, emotions, values, ethics, authority, persuasion, coercion and/or genetics. • Behavior is not: Your reaction to the situation Your interpretation of the situation Your expansion of the situation

3. Disruptive Behaviors • The Angel • The Class clown • The Complainer • The Fighter • The Whiner • The Shadow • The Influencer • The Teaser • The Manipulator • The Disrespectful • The Bully • The Cheater • The Do-nothing • The Indifferent • The Lazy • The Tardy • The Thief • The Disorganized • The Selfish • The Immature • The Shy

4. Primary Causes of Misbehavior The teacher needs to determine the reason of the misbehavior in order to implement a plan to help the student to behave more responsibly. Some causes: • Attention: The student is experiencing some pleasant outcome from exhibiting the misbehavior. • Power : The student is avoiding some unpleasant outcome by exhibiting the misbehavior. • Revenge: The student wants to “payback” because he or she felt uncomfortable in a classroom situation. • Self-confidence :The student has a very low feeling of self-worth and sees everybody else as to blame for his/her failure. The student is unaware that he or she is engaged in the misbehavior

5. Needs being revealed PRIMARY NEEDS • Hunger • Thirst • Sexuality • Air • Rest • Escape from Pain • Elimination of Waste SECONDARY NEEDS • Gregariousness • Aggression • Affiliation • Inquisitiveness • Achievement • Power • Status • Autonomy

6. Effects in the Classroom How behavior affects teachers, classmates, and parents in the school learning environment and the home family situation. • Teacher and students are irritated. • Teacher and parents can become easily frustrated. • Distraction: Class time is wasted. Classroom activities slow down. • Classroom enthusiasm is lost. • Importance of academic work is diminished. • If the behavior is successful, it can be imitated. • If the behavior is not very noticeable, the students can develop learning difficulties.

7. Taking Positive Action • Identify causes of misbehavior. Model the appropriate behavior. • Pinpoint student needs being revealed. • Distinguish the effect that his/her behavior is causing to the class. _________________________________________________ • Modify conditions (organization, schedule, physical structure and so on) • Remove any pleasant outcomes that might be resulting from the misbehavior. (Ignore misbehavior designed to get attention) • Implement specific methods, procedures, and techniques at school and at home to encourage responsible behavior.

8. Specific Techniques Depending on the causes and needs of the student that is misbehaving, the teacher may take specific actions such as: • Reinforce positive behavior. • Give a verbal warning to the student. • Create an individual contract with the student and make him/her live up to it. • Ignore. Never ignore violent behavior! • Assign the student a different place to sit in the room. • Isolate the student for a short period of a time. (Reflection) • Take away one minute of recess for each infraction. (Although it is a better strategy to restore acceptable behavior through responsibility) • Talk to the class. Talk privately to the student(s)involved.

9. SpecificTechniques • Always use verbal and nonverbal communication in a slow, quiet, and patient way. • Find the student's personal interests and use them as a mechanism to create self-motivation. • Create short-term , realistic goals to provide immediate success. • Create concrete learning situations with hands-on activities. • Create extra jobs and responsibilities. • Contact the student’s parents regarding the situation. • Seek help from support staff . • Refer this student for professional counseling when necessary.

10. Common Mistakes Often our solution to misbehavior in the classroom is to react to the behavior personally rather than approach the problem professionally. Some of the common mistakes are: • Establishing rules that are too strict, too numerous, or not enforceable, in an attempt to stop the behavior. • Overreacting in front of the classroom.(Losing composure and revealing anger and frustration publicly) • Nagging the student constantly. Disliking and rejecting the student. • Taking things personally. • Embarrassing the student with praise or scolding in front of his/her peers. • Not having clear expectations.

11. COMMON MISTAKES • Being inconsistent in dealing with the class ( If you say it, mean it!) • Assuming that this student simply doesn't care at all. • Being sarcastic. • Tending to prejudge the student's behavior in all situations because of a few occurrences. • Giving unfair punishment. • Ignoring all requests-and calling them complaints. • Using threats and/or negative reinforcements. • Failing to deal individually with the student because of time restraints. • Failing to talk to parents.

12. Keep in mind… • There is much truth in the old cliché: Example is the best teacher. • The behavior you display toward students will be mirrored. • It is important to identify a recurrent behavior that is developed for an external cause. • Be serene. Sometimes we as teachers also need a time – out. • Keep your voice level very calm. • A little laughter can help reduce your tension level.