Behavior/Classroom Management Ideas!!
Here you will some behavior management systems that I have used myself and/or have had a classroom teacher pilot. If you have any questions about one please contact me. I am more than happy to explain or give modifications to them. Many of these items you can duplicate or recreate to fit your needs. Feel free to just use the idea and tweak it for the students/clients you have in your classroom or work with.
**Remember, any intervention used takes time to work. Be patient! Lay the foundation for the routine and keep at it. It may take a week or more to begin to see any progress but, if you are diligent, you will start to see something happen. Don't throw in the towel too soon! If after a few weeks it's not working for you OR your student you may want to explore other options or tweak the one you are working on.
To change a student's behavior, you need to be able to make sense of that behavior, and making sense of that behavior means making sense of his/her issues and adversities. Building positive relationships are key to success. The kiddos that are most difficult need your support the most!
I'm Lovin It!
I don't usually like to give food as reward, but you can modify this as needed. This one really worked!!!
Go to your local McDonalds and ask for new french fry holders. Then cut out fries from yellow paper. You can use this with the following options...
Option 1: Use as an individual plan. Take baseline data if you would like or just discuss with the student a goal and reward to attain. Give a french fry for good behavior, work ethic, etc. Once goal is achieved, it's reward time!!
Option 2: Use this as a whole class system. Discuss with the class that they are going to try to earn french fries for the month/week. Decide as a class what things will be give a french fry and set goal. Once goal is met, EVERYONE GETS FRIES! Talk to your local McDonalds. They are very good at donating small fries for each student in your class if you tell them what it was used for.
I like to rotate plans so kids don't get bored. Example: January will be french fry month
February will be collecting monkeys
March will be warm fuzzies and so on.
I don't usually like to give food as reward, but you can modify this as needed. This one really worked!!!
Go to your local McDonalds and ask for new french fry holders. Then cut out fries from yellow paper. You can use this with the following options...
Option 1: Use as an individual plan. Take baseline data if you would like or just discuss with the student a goal and reward to attain. Give a french fry for good behavior, work ethic, etc. Once goal is achieved, it's reward time!!
Option 2: Use this as a whole class system. Discuss with the class that they are going to try to earn french fries for the month/week. Decide as a class what things will be give a french fry and set goal. Once goal is met, EVERYONE GETS FRIES! Talk to your local McDonalds. They are very good at donating small fries for each student in your class if you tell them what it was used for.
I like to rotate plans so kids don't get bored. Example: January will be french fry month
February will be collecting monkeys
March will be warm fuzzies and so on.
Monkeys Rules!!
These monkeys come different colors and I love to use them for classroom management. When students are caught doing the right thing (not blurting, raising hands, working quietly, walking in the hall, etc) I add a monkey to the monkey chain. For every 5 monkeys earned as a class they earn a magic sticker (see magic stickers also on this page). 10 monkeys=2magic stickers and so on. I bought a few metal hooks with magnets on the back to hold the monkey chain on the white board. You can also use 3M hooks if you have other places.
This system can also be used for an individual behavior plan. Just make sure you record the number of monkeys earned each day and sit with the student to see what they would like to earn when they get to 5 monkeys. Remember, you want the to experience success so load them up the first day or so and taper off as you go.
These monkeys come different colors and I love to use them for classroom management. When students are caught doing the right thing (not blurting, raising hands, working quietly, walking in the hall, etc) I add a monkey to the monkey chain. For every 5 monkeys earned as a class they earn a magic sticker (see magic stickers also on this page). 10 monkeys=2magic stickers and so on. I bought a few metal hooks with magnets on the back to hold the monkey chain on the white board. You can also use 3M hooks if you have other places.
This system can also be used for an individual behavior plan. Just make sure you record the number of monkeys earned each day and sit with the student to see what they would like to earn when they get to 5 monkeys. Remember, you want the to experience success so load them up the first day or so and taper off as you go.
Magic Stickers!
Ok, magic stickers are all the rage in my Guidance class. Students are always asking about getting their magic stickers out the door. Teachers love these because you can't see it. Soooo, if you can's see it, you can't play with it, hence, it won't cause issues. Who would have know that a cheap tube of Chapstick would be motivation for kids!! Buy a few different flavors of Chapstick and when a sticker is earned I rub a small circle or draw a line of it on the back of their hand. The way I use it is when classes earn 5 points of towards the classroom management system I give a magic sticker (one hand) 10=2 stickers, which= 2 hands. Got it? Have fun with it! Kids like to guess the flavor, too!! You can even have someone choose out of a bowl which flavor they will get! Gel not recommended.
Ok, magic stickers are all the rage in my Guidance class. Students are always asking about getting their magic stickers out the door. Teachers love these because you can't see it. Soooo, if you can's see it, you can't play with it, hence, it won't cause issues. Who would have know that a cheap tube of Chapstick would be motivation for kids!! Buy a few different flavors of Chapstick and when a sticker is earned I rub a small circle or draw a line of it on the back of their hand. The way I use it is when classes earn 5 points of towards the classroom management system I give a magic sticker (one hand) 10=2 stickers, which= 2 hands. Got it? Have fun with it! Kids like to guess the flavor, too!! You can even have someone choose out of a bowl which flavor they will get! Gel not recommended.
Using Fidgets!
A fidget is a small object (preferably one that fits in the child’s hand), that can be squeezed, pulled, or moved around as the child sits and listens to the teacher. It is important to set clear boundaries when matching a fidget to a student. Boys are more kinesthetic than girls. Some kids just learn better when mind and body are working together. Fidgets are NOT one size fits all! You will have to use the trial and error method. Come up with "Fidget Rules" to help explain fidgets to the class.
I recommend introducing the entire class to fidgets and how they work. Let them explore them as you describe how to use it. As students use them or understand what they are, know how to use them, and know where to get them the silliness begins to wear off (Many teachers in my building either keep them in an accessible basket or have made a quiet corner in the classroom. Just like with the yoga poses, it may take a bit to get through the sillies. Just keep going and explaining. Do not take fidgets away for punishment or give them out for rewards. Fidgets are learning tools. Don't be afraid to tie one onto a belt loop if needed.
A fidget is a small object (preferably one that fits in the child’s hand), that can be squeezed, pulled, or moved around as the child sits and listens to the teacher. It is important to set clear boundaries when matching a fidget to a student. Boys are more kinesthetic than girls. Some kids just learn better when mind and body are working together. Fidgets are NOT one size fits all! You will have to use the trial and error method. Come up with "Fidget Rules" to help explain fidgets to the class.
I recommend introducing the entire class to fidgets and how they work. Let them explore them as you describe how to use it. As students use them or understand what they are, know how to use them, and know where to get them the silliness begins to wear off (Many teachers in my building either keep them in an accessible basket or have made a quiet corner in the classroom. Just like with the yoga poses, it may take a bit to get through the sillies. Just keep going and explaining. Do not take fidgets away for punishment or give them out for rewards. Fidgets are learning tools. Don't be afraid to tie one onto a belt loop if needed.
Fishing for Good Choices!
This one is Fun!
If you have a few bucks I would highly recommend buying a back of vinyl goldfish and a clear plastic cup. You get 144 1inch goldfish in assorted colors. I got mine from Amazon. Hover over picture to take you there! As you go throughout the day catch positive behavior. As you catch the kids making good choices they can catch a fish and put it into the cup. The one you catch can be the one to catch a fish or you can just do it yourself. The clear plastic cup will display how many you catch for the day. Before students go home, count the fish. How ever many they catch equals that amount of points. (set a goal to reach and whole class reward prior to beginning this system). Keep track of total points earned on board.
If you would like you could use this or modify this for an individual student. Sit with student and decide how many fish each good choice would be and what reward. Example, turn in homework=3 fish, raising hand=1 fish and so on.
This one is Fun!
If you have a few bucks I would highly recommend buying a back of vinyl goldfish and a clear plastic cup. You get 144 1inch goldfish in assorted colors. I got mine from Amazon. Hover over picture to take you there! As you go throughout the day catch positive behavior. As you catch the kids making good choices they can catch a fish and put it into the cup. The one you catch can be the one to catch a fish or you can just do it yourself. The clear plastic cup will display how many you catch for the day. Before students go home, count the fish. How ever many they catch equals that amount of points. (set a goal to reach and whole class reward prior to beginning this system). Keep track of total points earned on board.
If you would like you could use this or modify this for an individual student. Sit with student and decide how many fish each good choice would be and what reward. Example, turn in homework=3 fish, raising hand=1 fish and so on.
Warm Fuzzies!
Low self esteem is an issue for many kids. Here is a way to give them a boost! Choose a student to sit in a special chair at front of room or have class sit in a circle on the floor with chosen student in the center. Hand the other students a fuzzball. Tell them that "we are going to send warm fuzzies out to...(chosen student) today." Close your eyes and think of something positive about him/her. When it's your turn take your fuzzball and place it in the clear plastic cup that (the chosen student) is holding. Let's see if we can fill their "bucket" to the top!
Some positive things to say would be...
Low self esteem is an issue for many kids. Here is a way to give them a boost! Choose a student to sit in a special chair at front of room or have class sit in a circle on the floor with chosen student in the center. Hand the other students a fuzzball. Tell them that "we are going to send warm fuzzies out to...(chosen student) today." Close your eyes and think of something positive about him/her. When it's your turn take your fuzzball and place it in the clear plastic cup that (the chosen student) is holding. Let's see if we can fill their "bucket" to the top!
Some positive things to say would be...
- You are a good friend.
- I like how you write
- You are a good reader.
- I see how you try hard everyday.
- You always use your manners.
- You made me feel good when you asked me play.
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Brownie Points
Use these for a points system and make brownies as the reward!! Decide as a class or individual student what positive choice equals the above points. You can hand out points to each student as they earn them or stick them up on the board as the whole class earns them. Fantastic for math concepts! This one is a favorite for whole class but it works great for individual students as well. |
No More Worries!
I found these plastic beans in a Mom & Pop shop! These work great for kids who worry a lot and about a lot things. I ask them to tell me up to 5 worries they have. I either have them write or I write down the worries on little slips of paper. Then, he/she folds each one and places it inside the bean. The student then closes it up and puts the worries back into pile. We discuss how sometimes when our worries add up or get too big we either need to let them go if it's not in our control or find a way to work it through. The bean holds on to the worries until they work themselves out or a plan is made. I like to have students revisit the bean within 2-3 weeks. He/she can throw out the worries that are no longer worries, add some new ones or keep the same ones. Plastic eggs work great if you can't find beans and keep them in a egg carton for safe keeping!!
I found these plastic beans in a Mom & Pop shop! These work great for kids who worry a lot and about a lot things. I ask them to tell me up to 5 worries they have. I either have them write or I write down the worries on little slips of paper. Then, he/she folds each one and places it inside the bean. The student then closes it up and puts the worries back into pile. We discuss how sometimes when our worries add up or get too big we either need to let them go if it's not in our control or find a way to work it through. The bean holds on to the worries until they work themselves out or a plan is made. I like to have students revisit the bean within 2-3 weeks. He/she can throw out the worries that are no longer worries, add some new ones or keep the same ones. Plastic eggs work great if you can't find beans and keep them in a egg carton for safe keeping!!