Now, there is a difference between a class that is chatty and a class that has academic conversations going. Both may sound similar to an outsider, but the effects it has inside the classroom can be very different. If you have a class of chatty kids who want to talk non-stop, or just that one child who loves to shout out over everyone during your lessons, it can be very stressful for both you and your students. This creates an atmosphere that no one wants to be a part of. 

A classroom where students are free to talk whenever they want about whatever they want can have many negative repercussions. This is not something any of us want, but unfortunately is happening all across the country. As a teacher, you want to show three things. First, you have control over your students in your classroom. Second, your students can be respectful individuals. Third, learning is happening inside your classroom. Below are some strategies to make sure your class has positive academic conversations going on and not uncontrollable non-stop chit chat.

8 Tips and Strategies for a Chatty Class

Below are tips strategies for a chatty class.

1. Use Attention Getters

The first on the list of strategies for a chatty class is attention getters. They are an essential part of teaching. On the first day of school, introduce an attention getter as one of the first things you do. Below are some different strategies you can try out!

Clapping Rhythm

We all know this one and we all have probably used it at some point in our teacher lives. You notice that the volume in the class is getting a bit too loud, or you need to get everyone’s attention to give them new directions, so you empty your hands and clap a rhythmic beat that kids mimic. Since this strategy is pretty universal, it’s quick and easy for you and your students to pick up. After the clapping is done, kids are quiet and you can say what you need to.

Call Backs

I find these to be the most fun. You say a word or two and the students respond to you with a phrase before being quiet and listening to what you need to say. Examples include: “1, 2, 3, eyes on me….. 1, 2, eyes on you!”, “Hocus Pocus!… Everybody Focus!”…. or “Peanut Butter!…. Jelly Time!”. There are hundreds of these to use! You can find them on websites like Pinterest. You’re sure to find one that fits your classroom atmosphere and your personality comfort level. 

Give Me 5

This strategy works with just your hand and no speaking (aside from saying “give me 5”). Children see your hand in the air as you slowly count down from 5 to 0. At 5, they listen, at 4, they empty their hands, at 3, they need to be still, at 2, they need to be quiet, and by 1 they need to have their eyes on the speaker ready to go. The best time to use this strategy is during a transition when kids tend to talk the most. 

Music

Need kids to quiet down and transition to something else? Play a song! Teach kids the procedures that go along with the song and the expectation that by the time the song is over they are in their seats and ready to move on.

Instruments

My friend used a wooden frog with ripples on its back and a wooden stick that ran up the back to get students’ attention. It made an interesting sound for sure! I’ve also seen bells, tambourines, maracas, and chimes used before. All of these allow you to save your voice too which is a big benefit. Just make sure you keep the item close to you. This will prevent you from having to run up front quickly to get students to quiet down.

2. Explicitly Teach and Monitor Noise Levels

At the beginning of the school year, explicitly teach what different noise levels sound like and when they should be used. Below are some ideas for how to do this!

Traffic Light

In previous years, I had a poster and a working traffic light displayed in my room. The poster said “keep on track with your chat” and explained what each color meant. If the activity was a silent activity, I turned the traffic light to red. If the students were allowed to whisper, the light would be yellow. A green light indicated students could use their regular inside voices while working. It helped kids see a visual of what volume was expected. 

Noise Control Apps and Sites

I love the websites and apps that display things like bouncy balls and move based on the amount of noise in the classroom! Kids turn it into almost a competition to see if they can complete their work without any of the pictures moving.

3. Never Talk Over Students

Although it may seem like the best thing to do is to ignore it when a student shouts out or starts a conversation while you’re teaching, it can actually signal to the students that it’s okay to not listen to you and what you’re saying isn’t important. When a student starts talking while you’re speaking, calmly stop talking (mid-sentence has a great effect), and stare at the student. Don’t change your body posture though or make sarcastic or frustrated sounds. This can have a negative effect of its own. Wait at least three seconds after the child has stopped talking (don’t break eye contact), and continue with your lesson/speaking.

4. Practice Transitions

If you expect transitions to be quiet (such as when they put away binders and pull out a book), then you must practice the transition over and over again with it quiet. Even if one student talks, you have to stop everyone and try it all again. They’ll eventually get frustrated with having to repeat the same thing over and over again. They’ll catch on and realize they shouldn’t be making a sound while doing the transition (or task). You may feel that it wastes a lot of time in the beginning of the year to teach these kinds of procedures. However, if you master it all in the beginning, you won’t be paying for it all year long.

5. Utilize Proven Strategies and Resources

One important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. We have all had classes that challenged us because of their chattiness. We’ve also all googled strategies for a chatty class! If you try something and it doesn’t work right away, that’s ok, just keep trying! There are many ideas out there that will help you keep a manageable class of kids who just bubble with excitement and want to share their thoughts with you (and their classmates).

If you need additional strategies and resources to help you better manage your classroom, I encourage you to check out this classroom management guide. It has everything you need to have a streamlined and focused classroom! I hope you found these ideas and suggestions to be helpful as you prepare to conquer another year in the classroom!

6. Use the Chattiness to Your Advantage

If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em! Last year, I had a chatty group of kids. It seems like every year they get chattier! I decided to take the chattiness to my advantage by guiding this talkative energy into collaborative learning opportunities. Below are some ways that I increased academic conversations in my classroom.

Whole Group

This will take some practice and a good classroom environment where kids feel safe. I once visited the Ron Clark Academy. I was amazed to see students who would stand up to share their thoughts without raising their hand and without interrupting anyone. It showed that student input was valued and that students respected each other enough to not interrupt one another. I’m not saying you need to allow students to get up and stand on a chair to share their thoughts whenever they want. However, the idea behind students sharing their thoughts in a polite way that contributes to the conversation is great. Students feel they have a voice and a place in the discussion without fear of being ridiculed or wrong.

Partner Work

How many times have you gone to a professional development training and in the middle of the presenter speaking, you turned to tell your coworker something about what was just said? I can think of countless times I’ve done this! I see it all the time with adults, so why are we not realizing that kids need to do the same? Kids need to process what is being taught and they have responses or questions about what they’re learning. We need to provide ample opportunities for them to share their thoughts with a partner after pieces of information are given. Provide sentence stems for how they’re supposed to talk to their partner, monitor as they’re all speaking, and give only a short amount of time for discussion in between (30 seconds to 1 minute is plenty).

Small Group Work

In the morning, my students wanted to come in and socialize instead of following their morning procedure and bell work. It frustrated me daily! I did research on “how to get kids to stop talking” or “how to get kids to move faster in the classroom”. I felt like that morning time was being wasted. Instead of having students come in first thing in the morning and work silently on a reading passage, I used some bell work cards.

I designed these bell work cards to challenge them academically and collaboratively. Each group will choose a card from the basket in the morning and TALK to each other about their answers. After the time is up, each group will share their response with their classmates. This gives my kids time to talk, but it gives the control back to me because I’m providing opportunities for academic conversations. The cards include creating their own math word problems with given names and numbers, hypothetical questions that reveal character traits, and lists of materials they decide what they can build with it. I’m hoping it has the desired effect I want with kids using their voices for a greater good. 

Your students have great ideas that are just bursting to come out of them and you should provide plenty of time for them to converse with a group of people about those ideas. Whether it’s a team building exercise to get to know their classmates at the beginning of the year or when they move to a new seat, or during a group project, it’s crucial that kids get their time to discuss ideas with their peers. This time will teach them many social skills and teamwork that are absolutely necessary in today’s world.

7. Utilize Hand Signals

The seventh on this list of strategies for a chatty class is to use hand signals. Non-verbal communication is a great tool for students to be able to share their ideas and thinking. It creates a much calmer and quieter classroom learning environment. These classroom hand signals are great for whole group instruction and are part of my classroom management bundle.

8. Get Creative and Make It Fun

The last on the list of strategies for a chatty class is to get creative! Bubble Mouth is an example of a creative strategy you can implement to help your students walk quietly in the hall. At my school, students must be silent in the hallway. I have them “catch a bubble” in their mouth. This means they blow up their cheeks and close their lips as if they have a bubble in there. I’ve also seen kids in the lower grades put their pointer finger over their mouth as they walk. This is the universal quiet symbol.

A second example of a creative strategy you can use to help your students walk quietly in the hallway is Secret Walker. Before we leave the classroom, I always select a “secret walker”. I tell students I will be paying extra close attention to that friend as we progressed to our destination. When we got to the destination I revealed the name of the secret walker. However, I only told the class who it was if the secret walker met all the expectations for the entire walk. The kids loved this and it was highly effective! Get all of my tricks for students lining up and walking in the hall!

In closing, I hope you found these tips and strategies for a chatty class helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• Classroom Behavior Management Systems for Elementary Teachers
• Ideas for Managing Student Behavior in Your Elementary Classroom
• 3 Behavior Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers

The post 8 Strategies for a Chatty Class at the Elementary Level in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

3 Posts Related to Managing Student Behavior

Below are 3 posts that are all related to behavior management at the elementary level.

1. 3 Behavior Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers

The first post on this list of managing student behavior posts is the most important one. This post explains what behavior management is and why it’s important for teachers. In addition, it offers behavior management strategies and resource recommendations to help you master classroom management. No matter where you are on your teaching journey, this post is a great place to start. Read this post here: 3 Behavior Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers.

2. How to Improve Student Behavior and Open Communication with Families about It

As you know, communicating with students’ families is incredibly important. This is especially true with families whose child is struggling with behavior at school. This behavior management post suggests 5 ways to improve student behavior and recommends 5 easy ways to communicate student behavior to parents. In addition, it goes into detail about how to implement a behavior log in your classroom. Head on over to this post here: How to Improve Student Behavior in the Classroom.

3. 5 Classroom Behavior Management Systems (That Work)

This final managing student behavior post offers specific behavior systems for whole group, small group, and individual behavior plans. It will explore the benefits and weaknesses or each system so you can choose which ones best align with your philosophy. Most importantly, it will help you create a positive learning environment where students are on-task and learning. That’s what we all want, right? Read this post here: 5 Classroom Behavior Management Systems.

Classroom Management Resource for Teachers

This classroom management bundle includes all of the information and resources mentioned in the 3 posts above. Learn more about it in this post: Classroom Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers.

In closing, we hope you find these 3 posts about managing student behavior helpful. If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• How to Use Checklists to Improve Classroom Management
• First Day of School Read Alouds for Elementary Teachers
• How Student Numbers can be Used to Improve Classroom Management

The post Managing Student Behavior Ideas for Elementary Teachers in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

Let me start by saying that there is no one system that works for every teacher or every group of students for that matter. You’ll find that each group of students is unique in what they need to function successfully in the classroom. As a result, it’s important to have a toolbox of behavior management strategies and tools to pull from. After reading this post, you may decide to add behavior clip charts to your toolbox!

Truth be told, I have found that with clear guidelines and consistency, your classroom will run itself and your students will rise to meet the behavior expectations you set for them. However, it is important to have some form of a behavior management system in place.

One year, I had the absolute chattiest class I had ever encountered. They were wonderful children, but oh my could they talk! At one point when they were still talking over me and not listening to directions in late September, it became clear that I needed to try something new because (as I mentioned) you will find that what works for one class may not work for another.

I set out to find something new, and that was when I discovered the classroom behavior clip chart. I resisted it at first because of the size. However, since all else had failed, I decided to be open-minded. Over the weekend, I made the first of many clip charts, bought a package of pinch-style clothespins and hung it up in my classroom.

On Monday morning when my students arrived, I introduced the classroom behavior clip chart to them. Oh. My. Word. It was as if a switch had been flipped and their behavior improved instantaneously. Learn more about clip charts below!

What are Clip Charts?

A clip chart is a vertical display that is divided into sections. Each student’s name is written on a pinch-style clothes pin and all students start the day in the middle of the chart. This section is often labeled, “ready to learn.” Their choices during the day determine what happens to their clip. Teachers ask students who are exhibiting positive behaviors to “clip up.” They move their clip up to the next session in hopes of making it to the “top of the chart.” Teachers may ask students to “clip down” based on the choices they are making in the classroom. Clipping down comes with consequences such as lost time from activities, parent contact, etc. Learn how to implement a classroom behavior clip chart below!

Are Clip Charts Effective?

Clip charts can be a highly effective tool. Below are three reasons why clip chart behavior management systems work.

1. Clip Charts Reward Good Choices

In any given class, you are going to have your talkers and your rule-breakers, and you are going to have your good little doobies. The classroom behavior clip chart makes the doobies work for you. They become your allies, and they love it.

2. Clip Charts Encourage Improvement

Each student has a clothespin, and they all start the day in the middle of the chart on “Ready to Learn.” The clothespins move throughout the day. Positive choices enable them to move up one level at a time. If a student makes a negative choice, then the teacher moves it down. There is a buffer zone between “Ready to Learn” and facing any form of consequence so if a child “clips down” he can clip back up.

3. They Promote Positive Discipline

In this system, teachers recognize the students who are on task in a positive way. When the room gets a little chatty, I don’t concentrate on the chatty ones. I find the students who are making good choices and make a show of appreciating their role model behavior. They clip up. They beam. The others are quickly redirected without me needing to mention their chatting at all. It keeps things so positive and upbeat.

Even when a student makes a not-so-good choice, she can rally and move back up. As a helpful hint, I usually try to “clip up” my friends who have a tendency to “clip down” early in the day so that they have a bit of wiggle room.

4. They are Easy to Implement

Clip charts are very simple to implement. It’s a very straightforward system. There are no prize pails or trinkets or tickets or tokens or tchotchkes to manage or track. Instead of striving for useless junk, the kids strive for acknowledgement of good behavior.

5. It Can Travel with Students Easily

The clip chart can travel with your class to specials and anywhere else they go throughout the day. This consistency is very helpful and will help students behave appropriately even when you aren’t there.

How to Make a Clip Chart

Below are simple instructions for how to make a behavior clip chart for your classroom.

1. Download the Clipart Chart Resource

This clip chart resource includes a whole class behavior management system, as well as a clip chart system for individual students. It’s part of our classroom management bundle, which includes resources to help your classroom run smoothly.

2. Read the Instructions in the Resource

After you download the resource, you’ll want to read through the instructions. Next, you’ll need to determine how you will be using the resources in your classroom. Specifically, you’ll need to decide if you are going to do a class-wide behavior management chart or if you are going to use individual ones. If you are going to use the individual ones, then you’ll need to decide if you are going to use them for all students or if you will use them on an as-needed basis.

3. Print and Assemble the Clip Chart

The last step is to print and assemble the clip chart. Reading through the instructions in the resource and looking at the pictures on this page will help you put the classroom behavior clip chart together.

In closing, we hope you found this information about using a classroom behavior clip chart helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in this classroom management strategies post!

The post How to Improve Classroom Behavior Using a Clip Chart in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

5 Behavior Management Systems

Below are 5 classroom behavior management systems for the whole class.

Teamwork Bingo

The first classroom behavior management system on the list is teamwork bingo. Display a hundred chart in the classroom and place cards numbered 1-100 into a container. You can either identify specific ways to earn a number (i.e. everyone bringing in their homework or cleaning up and transitioning in less time than previously recorded) or make it spontaneous (getting a compliment from another teacher as they walk as a class down the hallway).

When students earn a number, the teacher asks a student to draw a number from the container and color that number in on the chart. When a predetermined number of squares in a row have been colored, the class earns a reward (wear slippers or pajamas for the day, an hour of free choice time, etc). If you want the class to earn a reward sooner, you may want to use a smaller chart such as numbers 1-25.

Class Chain

The second classroom behavior management system on this list is called teamwork chain (or class chain). Place a sign high on the wall reading, “Teamwork Chain” with a paper link attached. Precut strips of paper of the same length. Add a link to the chain when the class works as a team, follows procedures, etc. When the chain touches the floor, the class earns a reward.

Clip Charts

The third classroom behavior management system on this list is clip charts. When I first used a clip chart, I LOVED it. As time went on I began to have reservations and stopped using it for a few years. But, then I had “that” class. The class that made me use up everything in my bag of tricks in an attempt to manage some very challenging behaviors. Ultimately, I brought back the clip chart and guess what? It worked. It worked well. It worked so well that I used it again the next year.

The “clip chart” is a vertical display that is divided into sections. Each student’s name is written on a pinch-style clothespin and all students start the day in the middle of the chart. This section is often labeled, “ready to learn.” Their choices during the day determine what happens to their clip. Students exhibiting positive behaviors are told to “clip up.” They move their clip up to the next session in hopes of making it to the “top of the chart.” Students may also be asked to “clip down” based on the choices they are making in the classroom. Clipping down comes with consequences such as lost time from activities, parent contact etc.

The nice thing about the clip chart is that students have the ability to redirect their behaviors. I also like that students are acknowledged for being role models to their peers. Oftentimes, the class can easily be redirected simply by asking one student to clip up. For example, if most students are chatty and off task a teacher could announce, “I see that Molly has followed all the directions and is working quietly. Molly will you please ‘clip up.” The teacher’s positive interaction with Molly will result in the other students doing the same.

Download the classroom clip chart!

Team Points

While whole-group behavior plans cover the entire class, there may be times when you want to focus on modifying the behaviors of specific groups. These could include tables/clusters of desks, guided math groups, reading groups, etc.

Once a group has been formed (i.e. table 1, table 2 or the red group and the blue group) they should be encouraged to always work as a collaborative team. To encourage them to work together you may want to add additional incentives or consequences specific to their group and not part of the whole class system.

Team points work well for this purpose. List all the groups or teams on a dry erase board. Explain that each team can earn tally marks for exhibiting role model behavior. They may also lose points if they are being disruptive or demonstrating off-task behaviors. Set a predetermined amount of time such as Monday through Friday or arrival through dismissal. Reset the team points to zero at the start of the time frame. At the end of the time frame, the team with the most points earns a reward.

This can be extremely motivating. You may use it proactively to say the first table cleaned up and ready for math will earn a team point. Stress the importance of teamwork and helping one another. Explain that if they are blaming a teammate for not being ready they will lose a point. Instead, they should be using positive language and helping each other.

When working in small guided groups for teacher-directed instruction you can end each session by adding a sticker or coloring a square on a chart. When the chart is completed the group earns a reward.

Behavior Calendar

Some teachers prefer and some schools require teachers to implement a behavior plan that is individualized and discrete. I created a system that met both of those goals and streamlined the process of communicating a child’s behavior to their family daily. I made a daily calendar behavior log with numbers that directly related to my expectations. Each student had a monthly calendar in his daily communication folder.

If a child was not “meeting a classroom expectation,” I quietly addressed it by verbally reminding him of the expectation that he was not following. For example, “You are expected to be on task during independent work time.” I then record the #7 on my whole-class chart. If the behavior continues I state, “I reminded you that the expectation is to be on task during independent work. Let’s add it to your calendar as a goal to work on.” I then circle the #7 on my chart which signifies that I will be recording it on his calendar.

If the same behavior continues throughout the day, I add tally marks next to the number. This shows the parent what the child’s day looked like. In the event that a child exhibits repeated behaviors or demonstrates a behavior that is dangerous, destructive or considered to be “bully-like” they complete a goal sheet. The goal sheet communicates more about the incident to the family and, most importantly, it is in the child’s words. This helps to eliminate the phone calls and emails that say “I want to hear his side of the story” or “__ says she didn’t do anything wrong.” It also helps to remind the child that we must all take ownership for our actions, but that we can all make positive choices.

In closing, we hope you found these classroom behavior management systems helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these other posts:

• Simple Ideas for Managing Student Behavior
• Classroom Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers
• How to Create a Classroom Calming Corner

The post 5 Classroom Behavior Management Systems for Elementary Teachers appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

5 Ways to Improve Student Behavior

Below are 5 ways to improve student behavior in the classroom.

1. Maintain Consistent Expectations

Set clear expectations so that students not only know what is expected of them, but also the consequences for not aligning themselves with those expectations.

2. Hold Students Accountable

Address students’ undesired behavior directly and quickly so that they can modify the behavior accordingly. We definitely do not want undesirable habits to form.

3. Communicate with Parents

By having open communication between the school and parents, the student will view the parents and school professionals as a team working to help him or her meet the expectations. The student will not be able to play one against the other in this situation. One of my favorite tools for communicating with families is a daily communication folder. You can stick a student behavior log directly inside of it. Be sure to also document all communication you have with your students’ families using a parent communication documentation system.

4. Collaborate with the Child’s Other Teachers

Make sure all of the adults who work with the student are on the same page. This includes the paraprofessional who may work with them, as well as the art teacher, speech pathologist, and special education case manager. If the student has a behavior chart, then they must bring it with them throughout the school day.

5. Utilize Intentional Seating Arrangements

Whether the student is on the rug or at their desk, surround this student with peers who can serve as role models. These role models are peers who are independent and mature learners who consistently make good choices throughout the school day.

5 Ways to Communicate Student Behavior to Parents 

Below are 5 ways to communicate student behavior to parents.

1. Note in Folder

Jot down a quick note to families about positive behavior and stick it in their daily communication folder that goes home with them each day. Even though this is an informal communication, be sure to document it in your parent communication documentation system.

2. Email

Send families a quick email at the end of the day sharing positive behavior or a minor behavior. In the email, invite them to give you a call or send you an email if they have any questions. Even though this is an electronic communication, be sure to document all communication using a parent communication documentation system.

3. Behavior Log

Use a daily behavior log with numbers that directly relate to your expectations. Each student has a monthly calendar in his or her daily communication folder. It needs to be located in a space that is easy to access and easy for parents to see.

4. Notebook

Use a composition notebook to jot down a quick overview of the student’s day. You can also include some sort of scale measuring how the student did with their behavior goal that day (smiley faces, numbers, etc.). A parent/guardian will sign the bottom of each page and send it back to school the following day.

5. Phone Call

When a student exhibits a significant or concerning behavior, a school professional must call home. Refer to your building’s policy’s about who calls home during specific instances. Be sure to document it in your parent communication documentation system even if you are not the one who calls home.

How to Implement a Behavior Log

Read below for instructions about how to implement a student behavior log in your classroom.

1. Download the Behavior Log Template

Download the behavior log resource from my teacher store.

What’s Included

• Expectations Posters
• Numbered Class Logs
• Student Name Class Logs
• Individual Student Logs
• 12 Monthly Calendars

Why Teacher Love It

Teachers love this system because it provides them with data, which allows them to analyze specific students. This behavior system facilitates the teacher pulling students aside, having quiet and private discussions, and working with them to set behavior goals. Finally, it provides parents with a record of the day so they can quickly and easily how the student’s day went.

2. Print the Student Behavior Log

Print the behavior log for each of the students in your classroom who needs it.

3. Introduce the Student Behavior Log

Privately and quietly introduce the behavior log to the student. Communicate with the students’ families about what it is and how it will be used.

4. Use the Student Behavior Log

If a child is not “meeting a classroom expectation,” quietly address it by verbally reminding him or her of the expectation that he or she is not following. For example, “You are expected to be on task during independent work time.” Then record the #7 on my whole-class chart.

If the behavior continues, say, “I reminded you that the expectation is to be on task during independent work. Let’s add it to your calendar as a goal to work on.” Then circle the #7 on the chart which signifies that you will be recording it on his or her calendar.

If the same behavior continues throughout the day, add tally marks next to the number. This shows the parent what the child’s day looked like. In the event that a child exhibits repeated behaviors or demonstrates a behavior that is dangerous, destructive or considered to be “bully-like,” they complete a goal sheet. The goal sheet communicates more about the incident to the family and most importantly it is in the child’s words. This helps to eliminate the phone calls and emails that say “I want to hear his side of the story” or “__ says she didn’t do anything wrong.” It also helps to remind the child that we must all take ownership for our actions, but that we can all make positive choices.

Explain that since these are “expectations,” we don’t need to write on the calendar if they are doing what is expected. Don’t tie in extrinsic rewards because it is important for them to adhere to your established guidelines, not to earn a prize, but because that is what is expected of them as members of a learning community.

In closing, we hope these tips and information about behavior logs for students were helpful! If they were, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• How to Improve Classroom Behavior Using Clip Charts
• Ideas for Managing Student Behavior
• Attention Getters for Elementary Teachers

The post Behavior Logs for Students: A Daily Parent Communication Tool for 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

What is Behavior Management?

In the education world, behavior management is the skill of implementing strategies to proactively prevent, monitor, and respond to undesirable student behaviors with the goal being to maintain a classroom environment where all students are on-task, focused, and learning.

Why is Behavior Management Important?

Behavior management is essential because it directly impacts students’ safety and security, your ability to teach, and your students’ ability to learn.  When a classroom runs smoothly and is not interrupted by student behavior, learning time is maximized and both the students and teacher(s) reap the benefits.

3 Behavior Management Strategies

Below are 3 behavior management strategies for elementary teachers that work like magic.

1. Bell

On the first day of school, one of the first things to do is introduce your bell (or another object that makes a sound). Explicitly teach students that when they hear the bell they must stop whatever they are doing, put their hands on their lap, and look directly at you. Practice the strategy with the students and provide them feedback each time.  Continue until the students have got it down, which may take 2 or 3 times.

2. Beat the Teacher

Draw a T chart on your white board at the front of the room.  Write “teacher” above one column and “students” above the other column.  When you say, “Class, class,” students are expected to respond “Yes, yes” using the same tone of voice as the one you modeled (tip: you can make it extra fun by using funny voices like an old granny or whisper).  If the whole class responds in unison quickly, then they earn a point (tally mark).  If they do not, then the teacher earns a point (tally mark). The students’ goal is to get more tally marks than the teacher at the end of the day.  If they do, then they earn some sort of small reward.  Students LOVE this game-like strategy.

3. Phone Calls Home

When a student does something really special or consistently makes good choices, highlight this student’s efforts in front of the class and share that you are going to call his or her parents/guardians to let them know.  Make the call that day after school.  When that student comes back to school the next day, students will ask them and they will likely be beaming with pride about the call.  All of your students will beg you to make a call to their parents/guardians.  This is a great strategy for recognizing positive student behavior.

4 Resources for Improving Classroom Management

We hope you found the behavior management strategies for elementary teachers above helpful. Below are some additional resources for improving your classroom management in general so you can limit off-task and disruptive student behaviors.

1. Classroom Management Bundle

This classroom management bundle includes 30 classroom management printable tools, a workbook, and an eBook. Learn about these resources below!

2. Classroom Management eBook and Workbook

This Classroom Management Workbook and eBook resource includes an 80 page eBook that lists out everything a teacher will need to manage and also describes in detail tried and true methods for managing each that have been used successfully in real classrooms for years. The 50+ page workbook is a complement to the guide and walks you through the process of thinking about classroom management via prompts and references to the eBook. It includes designated space for organizing your to do list and supplies needed to put the plan into action. There are even notes in the workbook directing you to the pages in the eBook specific to that topic as well as a note identifying when there is an included product to help you.

3. 30 Classroom Management Printables

The classroom management printable tools resource is jam-packed with some of my best-selling resources. These tools have been used in many classrooms with great success. Most of these resources include multiple versions so you can elect to use one with clipart or not and the majority have editable components to enable you to customize them for your own classroom.

4. Classroom Management Informational Posts

Check out these informational posts about classroom management.

• How to improve classroom management with procedures and routines
• How to manage student bathroom breaks at school
• Classroom arrival and dismissal routines
• How to improve classroom management using hand signals
• Attention grabber examples and other listening strategies
• Strategies for quick classroom transitions
• How to line up your students and walk in a line
• How to solve all your pencil problems in the classroom
• Behavior management strategies

The post 3 Behavior Management Strategies for Elementary Teachers in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.

How to Teach Students to be Bucket Fillers

Below are ideas for how to teach students to be bucket fillers and, as a result, create a classroom community rooted in kindness.

1. Read Aloud Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

The idea of bucket fillers is based on Dr. Donald O. Clifton’s metaphor of the bucket and the dipper and there are several books available to compliment this idea. The most popular example is Carol McCloud’s Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Happiness for Kids. Check out the book below!

2. Discuss the Meaning of Bucket Filler

The idea is simple: We all carry around an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great. To honor this idea teachers are creating displays of tangible buckets and encouraging their students to fill the buckets of others with kind words and gestures.

3. Create a Bucket Filler Anchor Chart

Make an anchor chart that illustrates the difference between a bucket filler and a bucket dipper like the one shown below. Post it in your classroom so you can refer to it as needed.

4. Track How Many Times Students Fill a Bucket

Provide each student with a class list and columns to make check marks to track the buckets they have filled. This helps it stay on top of mind.

5. Incorporate the Concept into Writing Time

Deliver mini-lessons modeling how to properly write a complimentary note to someone. Offer materials in your writing center to encourage your friends to write compliments.

In closing, we hope you found these bucket filler ideas helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

• The Best Children’s Books about Kindness
• Social Emotional Learning Resources for Elementary Teachers
• 3 Videos for Teaching Kindness to Elementary Students

The post 5 Bucket Filler Ideas for Elementary Teachers (Grades 1-5) in 2024 appeared first on Clutter-Free Classroom | by Jodi Durgin.