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Summary of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet: The classic story of boy meets girl; girl’s family hates boy’s family; boy’s family hates girl’s family; boy kills girl’s cousin; boy and girl kill themselves.

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Mutiny:

Partisan:

Pernicious:

Covert:

Visage:

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Students should understand who the two main families involved in the story are, the main characters from those families, and the side characters from those families.

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Any Feedback on Assignments, or Lectures?

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Any Feedback on Assignments, or Lectures?

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Are concepts coming across clearly in class?

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Are concepts coming across clearly in class?

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The ultimate goal of education is to mold young people into well-rounded individuals. That often includes making sure that the teaching and learning process flows as smoothly as possible.

In theory, your role as a teacher is to plan and deliver your lessons, and everything will fall into place.

Unfortunately, theory doesn't always apply in the real world. Truth be told, getting children to settle down and behave as expected is often a job and a half.

That's where positive behavioral management strategies shine.

Let's talk about some behavior management strategies you can tap into to enhance student behavior and allow teaching and learning to proceed as planned.

1. Maintain a Routine

Having a set routine is an important behavior management tool that helps to establish guidelines and behavior expectations.

A routine ensures that students know what's coming next, so you'll spend less time giving out instructions-freeing up time to do the real work.

Include the students in establishing a class schedule that works for everyone and give them responsibility for some routine tasks.

Don't leave out the notoriously disruptive students in your schedule-more often, a sense of responsibility can help reduce behavior issues.

When a student starts to slide out of your planned routine, use non-verbal cues like hand gestures to remind students of what they should be doing. Avoid verbal cues to keep the lesson flow uninterrupted.

2. Set Rules Together With Students

Just like a routine, rules help improve student behavior. However, if the classroom teachers set the rules themselves, the class may reject them.

That's why it's important to have an audience with your class to help set the rules.

When children take ownership of the rules, peer pressure works in your favor to enforce them and improve behavior management.

Also, have a guideline for how infractions will be dealt with. These guidelines help remove the feeling of being punished, so students will know what to expect when they're called out about their behavior.

Remember to enforce the guidelines impartially and consistently. If you slack on the enforcement even once, you create a loophole that everyone will want to take advantage of.

It's also important to remember not to discipline the whole class for one student's infractions. For example, disrupting class proceedings to deal with one student. This will likely alienate the whole class, who will feel wrongfully punished.

3. Create Stimulating Lessons

Imagine sitting through a meeting where the facilitator drones on for hours on end. You will probably start fiddling with your keys or just zone out right in the middle of it.

That's exactly how students feel when lessons aren't exciting. Monotonous classes are sure to bring out the worst in your students. To get rid of bad behavior, make your class activities as exciting and stimulating as possible.

Structure your activities to engage and involve your learners throughout the lesson. Strive to allow your students to uncover knowledge with practical activities.

Most importantly, vary your teaching methods, use plenty of aids, and make the work as interactive and fun as you can.

You can draw the attention of younger students by incorporating games and using plenty of actions in your learning time. With older students, try to stay relatable, for example, by referencing modern music or movies.

4. Use Positive Language

Negative language has a way of reinforcing the wrong behavior. Typically, kids like to do what they are told not to do. So, rather than create a vicious cycle of behavior challenges, use positive language.

For example, instead of saying, "Stop throwing those paper airplanes," you can say instead, "Can we all focus and pay attention, please."

Positive language makes the students feel respected, leading to better behavior.

Plus, positive language will encourage the kids to start speaking positively. For example, instead of saying, "This work is too hard for me," they will begin to say, "I can try my best."

It's also important to keep your body language positive. Smile more and frown less often. Model the behavior you want to see in your students. Studies have shown that students learn from the language and behavior that educators display.

Some of the outcomes of positive language approaches include:

A safe learning environment

A sense of responsibility

Self-discipline

Self-motivation

5. Develop a Relationship With Your Students

Get to know your students individually. Take time to find out their interests and dislikes. If your lessons are centered around what the learners like, you will find it easier to keep them engaged.

Also, knowing your students will help you identify some triggers for behavioral problems. For example, if a student suddenly starts lashing out and talking over you in a lesson, they may be going through some personal problems at home or facing issues like bullying at school.

If you know a bit about the child, you may be able to figure out the root of the problem. Instead of punishing the bad behavior, you can talk to the student or point them in the direction of help; for example, get them to see the school counselor.

One way of developing a good relationship with your class is by speaking positively about them to their parents and administrators.

Use notes and calls to update their parents on their positive behavioral changes. Or have the principal or a senior administrator drop in to commend their good behavior. Your students are more likely to feel like you are looking out for them and continue to improve.

6. Adjust Your Scoring Methods

Getting an "F" on an assignment is demoralizing. Typically, students who get poor marks are disruptive in class and deliberately fall short of behavior expectations to deflect from the real issue.

If you are dealing with a similar scenario in your class, use a less standard scoring method for grading classwork.

For example, instead of grading a paper with a specific score, simply put check marks where they got it right and point out areas of improvement. This unconventional grading can help reduce the overwhelming feeling of poor grades.

You may also turn it into a game. Use points to grade papers and give some rewards when a student reaches a specific number of points. Treating scores like a fun game helps motivate students to focus and improve their scores.

Developing a Positive Behavior Management System for Your School

Many years ago, the trusted classroom management approach was authoritarian. Teachers routinely meted out punishment or used stern warnings to keep the class in line. However, this method has been proven to have many shortcomings.

For one, it breeds an atmosphere of fear, hindering kids from making progress in their studies. Secondly, studies have shown negative long-term effects like behavioral problems, low self-esteem, or depression.

That's why turning to positive behavior management techniques is critical. Positive behavior focuses on understanding your students, becoming a role model, and promoting wholesome behavioral development.

Imagine this scenario: a child is hanging from a tree cursing at his grandma, refusing to get into school. The principal's office is bursting at the seams with pupils in trouble for one infraction or the other, and it's not even time for recess yet!
Sounds incredible?
That's what Dr. Michael Perry had to deal with in his first year as principal at Critzer Elementary in Virginia.

But then, Positive Action came to his aid with a curriculum designed to instill positive behavioral change, plus training for educators in using positive behavioral management in the classroom.

The result was a phenomenal decrease in behavioral problems, safe classrooms, and thriving learners.
"Four years later, Critzer is profoundly transformed. The school is fully accredited, meeting and exceeding federal, state, and local standards. It ranks among the highest academic performing schools in its district, and halfway through this year there have only been two suspensions."
If you're facing behavioral problems in your school, turn to Positive Action.

Positive Action offers a full curriculum package, counselor kits, and school climate kits designed to help teachers, students, and school leaders to implement positive behavior management systems.

For a comprehensive turnaround of your school, contact Positive Action today.

Positive Action's programs are tried and tested.

Most importantly, all packages are engaging, easy to use, and set to transform the classroom and school environment to help shape your learners into well-behaved positive thinkers, and well-adjusted individuals.

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6 Behavior Management Strategies for Your Classroom in 2023

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Get ahead of the game with these upcoming trends and strategies for classroom behavior management. Learn to tackle the challenge of social awareness head-on and make your students thrive!

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When teachers provide clear and consistent expectations for behavior in the classroom and take actions to promote positive, pro-social behaviors, students report a stronger sense of connectedness to school and their peers. 1, 2

Students felt more connected to their peers and school when they reported that:

students are given clear instructions about how to do their work in classes.

teachers make a point of sticking to the rules in classes.

when students are acting up in class, the teacher will address it.

students understand consequences for breaking a rule.²

These skills can help promote clear and consistent expectations and effectively manage behavior in the classroom.

Looking to apply this in your school or classroom?

Download the PDF version of this page to record your own notes and next steps.

1. Gest SD, Madill RA, Zadzora KM, Miller AM, Rodkin PC. Teacher management of elementary classroom social dynamics: Associations with changes in student adjustment. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. 2014;22(2):107-118.

2. Acosta J, Chinman M, Ebener P, Malone PS, Phillips A, Wilks A. Understanding the relationship between perceived school climate and bullying: A mediator analysis. Journal of school violence. 2019;18(2):200-215.

3. Skiba RJ, Arredondo MI, Williams NT. More than a metaphor: The contribution of exclusionary discipline to a school-to-prison pipeline. Equity & Excellence in Education. 2014;47(4):546-564.

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health risk behaviors among young people

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This website provides a summary of skills for behavior management that research suggests strengthen school connectedness. It includes example strategies, tools, and templates school staff can use to apply these approaches in their face-to-face, virtual, or blended learning modes.

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Imagine a classroom where students are actively engaged in learning, where everyone is calm, focused and working together. Imagine a classroom where you can walk in on any given day and know exactly what to do to help your students succeed. It doesn't have to be a fantasy!

As a teacher, there are strategies you can use to support your students' learning and behaviour. The key is to find strategies that work for you and your students, and then use them regularly to keep your classroom calm and focused. So relax, take a deep breath and let's get started on this journey to help you and your students thrive.

Understanding Challenging Behaviour

When in the presence of challenging behaviour, it's easy to lose your cool, leaving you feeling frustrated and angry. You may even feel like giving up. But it's important to understand that challenging or disruptive behaviour isn't always intentional. It can be a way for students to communicate their feelings, to express their needs or simply as a means of coping with stress and anxiety. So before you take any action in response to challenging behaviour, it's important to stop and think about what might have caused it in the first place - it's always better to treat the root cause rather than suppress the symptoms.

In Behaviour Barriers and Beyond: Practical Strategies to Help All Pupils Thrive by Rachel Thynne, she states:

"Be curious as to why the pupil is behaving in a certain way. A useful, popular analogy is to picture behaviour as an iceberg. The behaviours observed are just the tip of that iceberg (the symptom of the problem rather than the underlying problem); what lies beneath is a range of thoughts, emotions and triggers driving those behaviours. Once the behavioural function is understood, then support can be provided for any fear or anxiety beneath the behaviour and necessary skills can be taught," (p. 5.) Read a free chapter here.

Ask yourself, what is the problem here? What is driving that child's behaviour? Is it a fear of failure, of being judged or misunderstood? Does this pupil need additional support to develop strategies for dealing with their feelings and emotions in order to move forward? It's essential for students, especially young learners, to feel supported and secure in their learning environment. A teacher who is able to recognise and understand the underlying cause of a student's behaviour will be able to provide them with support and guidance that goes beyond simply correcting their actions.

Types of Challenging Behaviour

Not all children will behave in the same way. The type of challenging behaviour you encounter can vary from mild to severe, and may consist of different types including:

Disruptive behaviour: can be one of the most challenging types that teachers face in the classroom. This can include talking out of turn, calling out or interrupting the teacher, as well as arguing with other students. Disruptive behaviour is usually associated with a lack of discipline and can be very frustrating for both teachers and students.

Withdrawn behaviour: Students who exhibit withdrawn behaviour can be particularly challenging for teachers, as they may be difficult to engage and may be resistant to participating in classroom activities. This can manifest as a refusal to speak or interact with others, avoiding eye contact or appearing disinterested in learning.

Inappropriate behaviour: Inappropriate behaviour can be particularly difficult for teachers to manage if it's disruptive or distracting to the learning environment. This may involve using inappropriate language, making inappropriate gestures or comments, or behaving in a way that is inconsistent with the school's behavioural expectations.

Violent behaviour: As the most extreme form of inappropriate behaviour, violent behaviour can be defined as any action that causes physical harm to another person or damage to property. This includes hitting, kicking or spitting on another student, as well as throwing objects at people or damaging school property.

Causes of Challenging Behaviour

The causes of challenging behaviour are complex and often interrelated. Sometimes the cause is clear; other times it can be difficult to identify the factors that contribute to the problem. Some of the common ones include:

Classroom organisation: Things such as the classroom layout, seating arrangements, the materials available and how they are presented can all affect a child's behaviour. For example, if a child prefers to work alone but is placed in a small group of students with whom they don't get on well, then it may be difficult for them to concentrate on their work. This can lead to frustration and anger which often results in challenging behaviour.

Cultural factors: Cultural differences and language barriers can also be a cause of challenging behaviour. Students from diverse backgrounds may struggle to adapt to new cultural norms, leading to misunderstandings and social isolation. Language barriers may also make it difficult for students to communicate with their peers and teachers, leading to disengagement and confusion.

Home life: Family conflict, poverty, trauma or abuse can all contribute to challenging behaviour. Students who experience adverse home environments may struggle to regulate their emotions and behaviour, leading to disruptive or withdrawn behaviour at school.

Student dynamics: Bullying, peer pressure, social anxiety or difficulties in forming relationships with peers are common triggers in a classroom or school setting. Students who feel isolated or targeted by other students may struggle to concentrate and behave appropriately.

Proactive Behaviour Management Strategies

According to Behaviour Management: An Essential Guide for Student and Newly Qualified Teachers edited by Eleanor Overland, Joe Barber & Mark Sackville-Ford, " ongoing management of the classroom is essential for quality learning," (p. 51.) This refers to the act of planning, preparing and implementing strategies to manage the behaviour of students in your classroom. The following are proactive behaviour management strategies to support students:

Creating a positive classroom culture: Creating a positive classroom culture is the first step to effective behaviour management. A positive classroom environment includes clear expectations for student behaviour, opportunities for students to make choices and participate in decision-making, as well as collaboration between teachers and students. For instance, you can ask students to brainstorm a list of classroom rules and discuss the consequences of breaking each one. They can then vote on the most important rules, come up with strategies for enforcing them and select a class monitor to help enforce these rules during the school day.

Establishing clear rules and expectations: If students don't know how they should behave in the classroom or what they can expect from you as a teacher, they'll be more likely to misbehave. This also includes providing clear instructions for tasks, moving on to the next activity, etc. This way, you can mitigate the possibility of students becoming disengaged and bored, which can lead to them acting out.

Providing a range of engaging and varied activities: Provide your students with a range of engaging and varied activities, so they're not always doing the same thing. This strategy will keep them engaged and interested in what they're doing. Another way to do this is by varying the type of tasks you give students, such as having some that require creativity and others that require concentration or memory skills. Try to match their interests and incorporate different cultural aspects.

Reactive Behaviour Management Strategies

While it would be ideal to prevent all challenging behaviour with proactive strategies, there may be times when you'll need to respond to behaviour that has already occurred. With reactive behaviour management strategies, you can quickly and effectively diffuse a situation and prevent it from escalating. Here are some strategies for your consideration:

Stay calm and composed: It's easy to lose your cool when you're dealing with challenging behaviour, but remember that it's the student who's misbehaving, not you. Stay calm and composed so that you can respond appropriately

Use positive language: There are many ways to communicate with students. It's important that you choose the right words at the right time. Using positive language will help to avoid exacerbating an already challenging situation. For example, instead of saying "Stop talking!" try saying something like: "It's time for us all to be quiet and listen carefully."

Set clear boundaries and consequences: Once you've identified the behaviour that's challenging you, set clear boundaries and consequences. For example, you can say: "I want to focus on this lesson right now. If you continue talking, I'll need to move your seat." It's crucial that you stick to them, though. If you don't, then you'll be sending mixed messages to your students and they may not take you seriously in the future.

Provide positive reinforcement: Letting students know when they're doing something right, such as completing tasks or following instructions, can help reinforce the positive behaviour you want to see more of. You can do this by providing verbal feedback, such as "You did a great job!" or by giving students a sticker or other small reward.

Seek support when necessary: It's important to know when to seek support from other educators or professionals when dealing with challenging behaviour. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it - that also includes speaking with the student's parents or guardians.

Additional Resources From Routledge

Managing behaviour is an essential, yet complex aspect of teaching. To help you further your knowledge in this regard, we've compiled a list of educational resources available at Routledge.

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From Chaos to Calm: Effective Behaviour Management Strategies for the Classroom

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Discover practical and actionable behaviour management strategies that can help turn a chaotic classroom into a calm and product

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Students should be able to distinguish main characters from side characters. Students should be able to list out who the current main characters are in Act I.

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Students should be able to list out the side characters in Act I

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How to Train Paraprofessionals in a Special Education Classroom

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The training your paraprofessionals receive can make or break your special education classroom. Well-trained paraprofessionals mean your students get the right support for their educational goals and you maintain a cohesive, organized classroom. Training your staff may seem like an overwhelming tas…

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Just as the extra pair of wings enables the dragonfly to accomplish astounding aeronautic gymnastics, paraprofessionals have become the extra pair of hands that allows teachers to truly support and make a difference for every student. This extra pair of hands (your hands) provides the extra help, extra attention and extra time that every student needs to be successful. The Master Teacher ​​​​​​​

Online Training Modules

Work Tools

Paraprofessional Training

Building Independence by Fading Prompts and Supports [VIDEO]

The goal of this training is to help students with disabilities become as independent as possible in the school, home, and community setting.

Data Collection Forms

Additional Resources

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Paraprofessionals Resources - Wayne RESA

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Paraprofessionals Resources - Wayne RESA is a regional educational service agency that offers a wide range of services and support to the 33 school districts and 103 public school academies in Wayne County.