I have taken the idea of "no excuses" and "no warnings" to deal with the student behavior in my classroom. Mainly, I got tired of continually correcting kids on the same issues - blurting, making silly noises, putting their head down...it was different for every kid.
So, on the fly one day, I got out a notecard for each kid and wrote down their "No Excuses Behaviors." For most kids that was a list of two items that were specific to them. Each student had to tape the card to their desk. If they violated their no excuse list, they had to spend 5 minutes of recess with me.
I've seen good improvement. One of my negative nellies who complained about everything, is no longer complaining. And all I have to do is say "5 minutes" and the behavior stops. Victory. (:
I have always envied the leverage elementary school teachers have with recess. I sometimes think we should give them recess in high school just so we could have something to take away (plus many 9th graders really could use it). What actions can we secondary teachers take that are as motivating and simple as taking recess time?
ReplyDeleteI would recommend taking it a different direction. I like to really point out the positives as I feel it encourages others to be more positive and when I'm reminding them of the negatives, I see kids join in on that as well. I recommend you find kids often who are following what you expect and really highlight those times. You can offer rewards, positive recognition, a free assignment pass, etc. Whatever is motivating to kids to want to do better. I'm not a fan of taking away recess as usually the kids that need it are often the ones that lose it. Not to say I have not used that strategy, I just think there are others out there that might be equally effective. I know that high school is a different world, but I think they are still motivated by similar things that the younger kids are and in this day in our society, there isn't enough positives given to our kids. I like that they have a visual reminder of your expectations. Hope you find something that works.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about your success! It will be interesting to see if this becomes ingrained behavior that doesn't require the cards. You might try (after the holdays) removing the cards and seeing if the behaviors return.... You can always reinstate the cards.... Just a thought (hmmm)
ReplyDeleteI use a "Penny Board" I have addapted it to gen ed classrooms too. The adaptation is a laminated card with the phrase "I am working for_______" at the top and then below that there are 5 boxes. The idea is to get 5 check marks with a dry erase pen and then the student gets to have whatever they were working toward. This means you have to sit down with the student and see what they want to work for. It could be extra pe, a favorite toy, a free pass on an assignment. And you are targeting a specific behavior. It may be the blurting, or out of seat, or time on task. When you see the student doing well, they get a check in their box. The great thing about this is that it can take as short of a time as you want or as long a time as you want. I suggest to begin with that the student earns their reward rather quickly so they know that the reward will come. It becomes their motivation. :)
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