Techniques for a Calmer Classroom Hilary Nunns Positive Behavioural Management

A Common Mindset Students should behave like adults

Creating a positive ethos and climate Remember: All adults in the college are role models

Setting Boundaries - classroom Establish clear routines Create your classroom culture with a code of conduct Support other colleagues accordingly Reinforce classroom rules with CONSISTENT CONSEQUENCES Acknowledge good/improved behaviour Written rewards (eg letters home) are important

Behavioural Symptoms Poor Social Skills Excessive Talking Risky Behaviour Attention Seeking Sensation Seeking Extremely ‘Short Fuse’ Lying Impatience Swearing Interrupting Others Daydreaming Disorganisation

Check your own approaches Encourage a problem-solving approach with the student rather than a judgmental one Be assertive in all dealings with the student, avoiding sarcasm and anger Before reprimanding, sort out the ‘I won’t’ from the ‘I can’t’

Signs of problems with learning Impulsive actions Inability to concentrate Fidgeting noisily Calling out for help constantly Sighing Swearing Head on the table

Things that help with learning Increase font size on handouts and PC Highlight or underline key words Provide handouts to avoid board copying, or encourage photography Use a lot of visual aids Allow or provide voice recordings Increase font size on handouts and PC Highlight or underline key words Provide handouts to avoid board copying, or encourage photography Use a lot of visual aids Allow or provide voice recordings

Things that help with learning Include plenty of IT opportunities Do warm–up exercises immediately after breaks Encourage check-lists to be ticked off Extract texts for research rather than giving whole books to read Break assignments down into smaller parts Use highlighters to connect sections Encourage grids Include plenty of IT opportunities Do warm–up exercises immediately after breaks Encourage check-lists to be ticked off Extract texts for research rather than giving whole books to read Break assignments down into smaller parts Use highlighters to connect sections Encourage grids

Ideas to engage Show students the next topic or module Ask students to come up with 4 questions that they will want answered

Things that help with behaviour Stick to the facts, not opinions Use constructive criticism and problem-solving phrases Tell students what they should be doing Remind Ignore attention-seeking

Who is in control? Corey and the party organiser. ?v=xc0CB6URrV0

Causes and Triggers Environment

Distractions Obstacles Noises Visual overstimulation Room layout

Prevention Look for the signs of boredom Do not focus attention on the negative behaviour A quiet word is better than a loud one

How to manage students who avoid work – disruptive behaviour Go and stand by them. (This works best with boys.) Bring yourself to eye level (crouch).

How to manage students who display disruptive behaviour Use “Thank you”, not “Please”. Avoid the “worst seating plan” (ie you sit where you want). Don’t contaminate teaching & learning space. Be consistent, firm, fair and patient.

Motivate and engage Discuss behaviour, when its good and when it’s bad – don’t let it be the elephant in the room Use ice breaker activities to re-energise Engage in an activity within the first 2 minutes of arrival at class

Evaluations Action plan