After many years of teaching, one thing makes me wince more than anything else--a teacher who yells, screams, berates, nags, threatens, squints, mocks, pleas, frightens, embarrasses, mutters, grumbles, drones, shrugs, rants, curses...and later on, cries.
The fact is, very few teachers are born-naturals when it comes to classroom management. And there are no instant fixes.
Behavior management is like a language that you can learn to speak fluently.
Step-by-step, you learn a few words. Simple words like...
- Please -- as in, Would you please show me your very best silly-face...and now please show me your I-love-to-learn-face?
- Thank you -- Thank you for sharing your unique perspective!
- Beautiful -- You're so focused; beautiful!
- Watch -- Watch how I (or a child) stand in line, with my shoulders back, chest out, head straight, eyes ahead, arms down, no touching, legs together, ready to move.
- Why? -- Why is it important to be respectful? What would happen if we weren't kind and polite?
After that, you master the basic management routines, and -- over time -- you find personal tricks that work well for you.
If you want to take the trip toward mastery, and you really should — sooner rather than later — this creative and comprehensive guide will help you. You’ll find hundreds of tools and tips for a calm and confident—and happy—classroom.
The Ultimate Guide to Behavior Management includes School Rules, Bathroom Rules, Behavior Management with Humor, Behavior Modification Game Charts, Reward Tags, and Behavior Management Callbacks.
The centerpiece is Behavior Management with Humor:
Behavior Management with Humor explores...
• Behavior Management 101: Strategies that Work
• How to Teach Rules so they "Stick“
• How to Cultivate Respect and Rapport
• How to Control your Class Firmly but Graciously
• The All-Important “Stop Signal”
• Behavior Mod Charts
• Behavior Management Clip Chart
• How to Add Humor into your Day
• A Full Day of Humor and Good Behavior, Step-by-Step
• Exactly what to Say and Do, from the Moment Kids Arrive till Dismissal, for the Best Behavior
• Humor in Reading, Writing, Math, Music, and Dance
• Make it Fun in the Lunchroom, Auditorium, School Yard, Parties, and More
• Funny Things to Say All Day
• Songs that Get Kids to Move, Smile and Behave
• Callbacks for Easy, Fun Management
• Brain Breaks to Calm or Energize Kids
• Printable Resources: Awards, Hats, Masks, Glasses, Bracelets, Brag Tags, Pointers, and More!
• “Reboot Box” for Time-Out
• Zen Zone for Calming
• Behavior Management Posters
• Student Activities and Printables for Bulletin Board Displays
• Deal-Breakers – Behavior Management to Avoid
• “Tips from the Trenches” for Behavior Management with Humor
Your Behavior Management Ultimate Guide includes this:
• BIG BONUS - Counting Backward Song MP3
• A soothing voice counts backward over relaxing music with a soft beat. Perfect for calming down or taking a refreshing break--for kids AND teachers!
Enjoy your FREEBIE Reward Tags!
So, exactly how do you get kids to behave, calm down, clean up, transition, time out, or stand and stretch? There's no short answer, but it’s all made easier with this Counting Song MP3—a soothing voice counting the numbers 1 – 20 over relaxing music with a soft beat.
This “magic timer” counts like a heartbeat, one beat per second. You can slow your heart rate by breathing deeply and matching your pulse to the beat of the songs. It’s a great behavior management tool to help kids calm their minds and focus on the task at hand. If you want an extended countdown, you can play it again.
It's amazing how a very small change in your approach to behavior management can have a huge impact on your classroom culture and in your life.
The best gift you can give yourself, or another teacher, is the expertise to create a great classroom culture.
As always, I'm wishing you all the best!
