This blog post was inspired by my former colleague and friend, Mrs. Dowell. Thank you for shifting my classroom management plan. 

As young as I can remember, I’ve loved school. I enjoyed learning so much that I would often play school at home, pretending to be both the teacher and the student. However, my passion for school was challenged by my kindergarten experience. My memories of that time consist of consistently sitting at a desk away from my peers because I was talkative. I remember the sting of my hand being hit with a ruler and the embarrassment of most days not having my clothes pin due to my talkative nature.

When I decided to become a teacher, I vowed to do things differently in my classroom, especially regarding classroom management. Despite my intentions, I initially found myself relying on the same clip chart behavior plans and card-pulling systems I experienced as a child.

One day, everything changed during a conversation with a colleague. She shared her approach of celebrating positive behaviors rather than focusing on the negative. Her behavior plans were tailored to the individual needs of each student. Inspired by her method, I decided to give it a try, and the impact was profound.

Students who needed targeted support received individualized plans that were private between the student and myself. For the whole class, I introduced positive behavior supports, such as using stickers to reward good behavior. This shift not only improved the classroom climate but also fostered a more positive and encouraging environment.

Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies for the Whole Class

If you’re looking to move away from clip chart behavior plans, here are some ideas for positive behavior interventions that can help create a supportive and nurturing classroom environment:

• Sticker Charts: Create a sticker chart where students can earn stickers for positive behaviors. Once they reach a certain number of stickers, they can choose a reward.
• Classroom Rewards: Implement a system where the whole class works together to earn a reward, such as extra recess time, a class party, or a fun activity. This encourages teamwork and collective responsibility.
• Praise and Recognition: Regularly acknowledge and praise positive behaviors in front of the class. Simple words of affirmation can go a long way in encouraging good behavior.
• Behavior Bingo: Create a bingo board with different positive behaviors. When a student exhibits a behavior, mark it on the board. When the class gets a bingo, they earn a reward.
•  Marble Jar: Each time the class demonstrates positive behavior, add a marble to a jar. When the jar is full, celebrate with a class reward. 
• Positive Notes Home: Send positive notes or emails to parents highlighting their child’s good behavior. This not only reinforces the behavior but also strengthens the home-school connection.
• VIP Student (Star Student): Feature a student each week who has demonstrated outstanding behavior. Celebrate their achievements with special privileges or a small reward.

By shifting your focus to positive behavior interventions, you can create a more supportive and encouraging classroom environment that motivates students to do their best.

For additional ideas and personalized support in developing your classroom management plan, feel free to reach out to me, Dr. B, at [email protected].

Together, we can create a classroom where every student thrives!