Manages Classroom Climate
One of the most important ways to manage the classroom climate is by setting high expectations for behavior at the beginning of the year. One school I taught at uses a character trait program to establish behavioral expectations. This program, called Ten Keys to a Better Me, is based on William J. Briggs' book Eight Keys to a Better Me. Throughout the year, students receive paper keys when they exemplify the character traits. Teachers present these keys in group meetings and students keep them on a key ring displayed in their classroom. The students are usually very excited to receive keys and throughout the year we talk about behavior that shows these desired character traits.
I use a behavior management system based on a stoplight. Each child has three "lights" on their desk attached with velcro. I can take lights for poor behavior or not following classroom routines. When a student loses his green light, it is only a reminder and serves as an opportunity for them to correct their behavior. When a yellow light is pulled, the student has to take a break in the hallway and make up time with me during recess. If I have to pull a red light, the student must visit their case manager. We start fresh each period so students have the opportunity to improve their behavior throughout the day.
If a student doesn't have any lights taken during a period, I give them a gem to put in our class gem jar. When we reach the top of the jar, the students pick a class prize such as extra recess or a special treat. This helps students to remember that their behavior effects everyone in the class and that we learn best when everyone works together.
Two other behavioral management tools I use are individual star chars. Students can receive stars for a variety of on-task behaviors. When a student fills up his chart, he is able to pick a prize from my prize box. I also have pictorial reminders on desks of students who have difficulty with particular behaviors like sitting up straight or making on-topic comments.
Finally, for students that have repeated difficulty meeting classroom expectations, I implement individual goal sheets. I rate the student on his goals at the end of each class and the student shares their goal sheet with their case manager and/or their parents each day.