Strategies for encouraging appropriate behavior in institutional settings

Encouraging Appropriate Behavior

One of the more difficult aspects of teaching is classroom management. All the lesson planning and preparation in the world can go awry if enough disruption takes place that disallows, rather than enhances, the learning experience. Gone are the days of corporal punishment and strict classroom settings in which a quiet classroom was a good classroom. Instead, numerous studies have found that encouraging good behavior rather than punishing poor behavior is far more effective, longer lasting, and has greater long-term effects.

Scenario -- Patrick and Zach are in Mrs. Anderson's Fifth Grade class of 25 students, about equal in gender. Three of the students have IEPs based on a disability; Zach is one of those students, receiving 1/2-hour of resource room support daily to focus on his reading goals. Zach is studious, enjoys other core classes, and is a kind boy, often coming in during recess or staying after school to feed the class guinea pig. Patrick is a gregarious, but average student who likes "acting" and play, loves being center of the stage. Recently, however, Patrick and Zach have been at the center of a number of class disruptions -- teasing each other, baiting, and being loud enough to embroil other students into their drama.

Interventions: Goals:

Meet together and with Mrs. Anderson to resolve differences (both).

Learn to ignore teasing and other inappropriate behavior (Zach)

Learn appropriate behavior and respect for others (Patrick)

Stay on task during class time, keep focus and hands to oneself (both)

Strategies to Assist in Goals:

Meet with each separately to identify overt and covert issues

Meet with both together and serve as questioning mediator, not instructing, but asking relevant questions that encourage empathy

Change seating arrangements so Patrick and Zach are far apart

Ensure that both have adequate assignments to keep them busy

Review classroom rules about respect, speaking out of turn, inappropriate behavior and reasons

Rationale -- at times, especially with younger boys, there may be pent up energy, outside issues, or other covert reasons for behavior. Patrick may, in fact, be insecure and see Zach as a threat in some way; Zach may be acting out frustrations as well. It is possible that both "want" to be friends but are concerned about their reputations (serious student vs. class clown). Encouraging open dialog by questioning allows both students to come up with their own answers, while still reminding them about rules.

Implementable Strategy -- the easiest strategy to implement is a change in seating arrangements. It is quick, easy to implement, causes a slight bit of "drama," but is a quick way to deal with the situation until we can sit down and talk more. Keeping the two away from each other is probably the easiest way to limit inappropriate behavior.