Classroom Management: A New Bag of Tricks

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Classroom Management A New Bag of Tricks
Mickey Maheu Southeast Elementary
School Mansfield Center, CT 860-423-1611 maheumn_at_m
ansfieldct.org
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Goal

• To help students learn to assume greater
  responsibility for their social and academic
  growth.

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Rationale

• Internalization of this responsibility will
  facilitate positive aspects of character and
  student learning.

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Proposed Methodology

• Implement a classroom management structure
  based upon group contingencies and reinforcers.
• Independent group contingency reinforces students
  based upon individual performance.
• Interdependent group contingency reinforces the
  group based upon the whole class meeting the
  criteria.
• Dependent group contingency reinforces the group
  based upon the performance of one or more
  targeted students meeting the criteria.
• (Adapted from Randomization of Group
  Contingencies and Reinforcers to Reduce Classroom
  Disruptive Behavior Lea A. Theodore et al
  Journal of School Psychology, Vol. 39, No. 3)
  

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Suggested Benefits

• Individuals work to internalize targeted
  behaviors and outcomes.
• Group contingencies can assist targeted students
  enhance their growth.
• Teacher draws attention to positive performance
  rather than negative performance.

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How I Applied the Concept

• Class meetings to discuss what it means to be a
  good learner and to display good character.
• Why is it important?
• How do you show it? Be specific. Develop
  goals with students and discuss ways of
  displaying these goals.

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Continued Some examples

• To do your very best
• To be a good learner
• To be a respectful listener
• To model good behavior
• To be kind, courteous, and respectful to everyone
• To follow directions
• To be patient
• To take turns
• To make good transitions

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continued

• Discuss team concept and point system.
• Establish rewards.
• Some examples
• Extra recess (team)
• No homework for a week (team)
• Free time for Art (team)
• Bring a toy from home (team)
• PJ Day (class)
• Ice cream party (class)
• Special movie with popcorn (class)
• Free time on the computer (team)

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Continued

• Form teams. I do this by random drawing of names
  on a monthly basis.
• Be proactive and creative in awarding points.
  Accentuate the positive.
• Target a particular behavior from time to time.
  Tell it to the class and take advantage of every
  opportunity to award points for it.
• Pay extra attention to the fragile or disruptive
  child. Look for every opportunity to publicly
  acknowledge his or her triumphs and award points.
  
• Provide time for occasional team meetings so team
  members can discuss how they are doing and if
  there is anything they can do better to meet the
  goals. This also provides opportunities for
  conflict resolution.

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• THE END