Primary Classroom Management Ideas
Increase Good Behavior Using Rewards and Positive Reinforcement
Teachers need to have a plan to not only address negative behaviors, but to encourage desired behaviors. Organization and preparedness are the keys that produce effective management.
Positive reinforcement and reward systems are an important part of any elementary teacher’s classroom management plan. Teacher and peer praise, notes to parents, the Music Marbles class reward system and a Shining Stars bulletin board are all ways to motivate elementary school students.
Verbal Praise by Teacher
Praise, when used consistently and correctly, can cause a palpable change in the classroom. Students who have been disruptive or inattentive, when praised for positive efforts, can become contributing members of the classroom.
- To be most effective teacher praise should be personal, genuine, specific and descriptive.
- For example, instead of good job, a teacher might say, “Tommy, I like the way you raised your hand when you knew the answer to the question.”
- This not only encourages the student to raise his hand instead of yelling out answers, but the rest of the class as well.
Peer Praise
Student should be encouraged to praise each other in the classroom.
- Praising other students needs to be explicitly taught and modeled. The more students practice praising each other the more natural and effective the praise is.
- A fun way to praise is to have students clap or cheer, “Woo Hoo!” when they see a fellow student doing something positive.
Happy Notes
Encourage good student behaviors in the classroom by enlisting parent help.
- Teacher can send home a “Happy Note” on cheery yellow paper notifying parents of their student’s success in the classroom.
- The notes should be sent home for both positive behavior and academic achievement.
Music Marbles
A class reward system is used to motivate and praise the entire class. One type of reward system that works especially well with primary students is Music Marbles.
- Marbles are placed into a jar for positive student behavior.
- Marbles can be earned by an individual or the whole class for behaviors such as completion of homework, following directions, and working quietly.
- When the jar is full the entire class earns the music of its choice to be played at different times during the day.
Shining Stars Bulletin Board
Everyone performs better when their hard work is rewarded publicly.
- Students maintain proper behaviors more often when their successes are displayed on a classroom bulletin board for their peers and visitors to admire.
- A “Shining Stars” bulletin board that displays each student’s picture on a star and the accomplishments of the class recognizes the diligent efforts of the group.
Praise and the use of token reward systems can motivate students and create a safe, open atmosphere. As students begin to exhibit desired classroom behaviors, teachers need to raise behavior expectations and begin to wean reward systems to encourage intrinsic motivation.
