One behaviorist strategy I use is a positive behavior clip chart (http://www.newmanagement.com/ebooks/pdf/clip_chart_ebook.pdf). According to Pitler et al (2012), "Handing a student a personalized certificate to celebrate high quality work is a surefire way to make that student feel appreciated and motivated for their success" (p. 66). The same is true for behavior management. The rationale of this tool begins with students all starting in the middle level on the chart: ready to learn. Clothespins with each child’s name are placed on this section of the clip chart to begin the day. As Morris (2009) states, “the whole Clip Chart program is based on the teacher being as positive as possible” (p.18). I remember in 1st grade we had to pull a bear if an action we did was inappropriate. But I wonder, what about the students who never had to pull a bear? How do they get recognized? With the implementation of this chart, both positive and negative behaviors are recognized. If a student creates a behavior the teacher wants to correct, they move the student’s clothespin down a level. If a student creates a behavior the teacher finds encouraging, they move the student’s clothespin up a level. With this action, both negative and positive behaviors are being addressed. Negative responses to the negative habit could be parent contact or a loss of a privilege. Positive responses to the positive habit could be a certificate or prize. I feel this truly takes on the behaviorist theory proposed by B.F. Skinner. In Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning, “both animals and humans would repeat acts that led to favorable outcomes, and suppress those that produced unfavorable results” (Standridge, 2002, p. 3). The neat thing about this behavior strategy is that you can customize it according to your own preference. Below is an example of a Pre-K behavior chart that is useful to me in my own classroom. In Pre-K I do not need as many levels so I chose what worked best for me. Every classroom in our school has adopted this type of behavior organization because of the overwhelming success it has had in classrooms.
According to Standridge (2002), positivity goes a long way with children. If students can see an adult pulling for them, they will put forth the effort to please them. Instructional interactive tools can aid teachers in deciding upon learning objectives, keeping the learner engaged, and providing scaffolding in practice activities (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2012, p. 174). There are two technological tools I have found very helpful in my own classroom. Brain Pop Jr.(http://www.brainpopjr.com/) is an excellent resource that I use daily. It uses interactive video and activities to support student understanding. Science, social studies, math, health, reading, writing, the arts, and technology are all topics teachers can search through. Moby, a robot, is the main character in each video and students love his comical and witty style of explaining topics. There are quizzes, for both advanced and struggling learners. There is an interactive word wall, jokes, comics, special activities, matching games, charts, book suggestions, writing prompts, drawing activities, and lesson ideas for the teacher.
Starfall (http://www.starfall.com/) was another resource what was mentioned in our resources (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2012, p. 176). Starfall is a wonderful website for reading and math. Pre-K and Kindergarten students get great exposure to letters and sounds with individual letter videos. Colors, word building, interactive books, nursery rhymes, motion songs, rhymes, calendar activities, math songs, numbers, and geometry are just a few topics that students can explore. For a subscription, teachers can gain access to more activities and resources. In my opinion, it is worth the money. The website ranges from Pre-K to 2nd grade material.
Reinforcing effort, providing recognition, assigning meaningful homework, and providing practice are all important strategies teachers must implement daily. The behaviorist theory is something that is alive and well in classrooms today. There are many instructional interactives that are beneficial and helpful to student learning. The ultimate goal in our endeavors as teachers is for students to come away with new concepts, deepen understanding, and receive mastery in skills that go above and beyond our expectations (Pitler, Hubbell, and Kuhn, 2012).
Resources:
Morris, R. (2009). Clip Chart: A Simple Discipline Strategy for Promoting Positive Behavior [EPUB version]. Retrieved http://www.newmanagement.com/ebooks/pdf/clip_chart_ebook.pdf
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Standridge, M. (2002). Behaviorism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Behaviorism
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteI love that you stated that if a student sees an adult who cares they will work for them. I find this is true from a personal perspective and through classroom experiences. I have a student currently that was retained last year. He did not have a positive experience with his previous teachers. He was a behavior and struggled academically. He knew his teachers did not like him and avoided learning from them at all cost. The environment was not a great situation for the child or teachers. This year we have made a connection and his mother informed me that he no longer gives her a hard time about homework or coming to school. In class we still struggle to get his self control under check but he is learning and smiles every day. One of the resources that work well with him is Class Dojo. This program is similar to the clip in that it allows students to gain points as well as lose points for undesired behavior. However, the program also lets you break those behaviors down into categories. I often can remember major behavior concerns and usually the negative behaviors, but I do not remember those minor moments. This program allows you to keep track and write notes on the point given or taken. The students love the avatars and the chart that tells them how they were for that school day. They no longer ask me did I have a good day. They go to their chart and count what they did that day to make themselves successful. They earn points not only for being on task but also for resource, leadership, table manners, and many others.
I think one of the ways to recognize accomplishments as well undesired behavior is through the behavior clip chart you mentioned. The students are not only able to go down but also move up the ladder. I teach 3rd but through siblings and duty stations you get to know students in other grades as well. There is a kindergartner that struggled with his behavior in Pre - K last year. This year when I see him he is doing much better. I told him let me see a green day at car riders and he said, "I'm to get a blue day." He proceeded to explain to me how he was going to move up the ladder. I think this opportunity to strive for better is an important lesson for students. (Oh, by the way he did get a blue day.)
We are a Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) green ribbon school. We use many positive behavior techniques to focus on in our school to encourage desired behavior.
Tracy,
DeleteIt sounds like you are really making a difference in your student's lives. I will have to look more into the Class Dojo you were talking about. I appreciate your kindness and feedback.
Whitney
Hello, I am also a big fan of BrainPOP! At my school, our fourth graders participate in behaviorist intervention called RTI (Response to Intervention) for math instruction. “Simply put, it [RTI] is a process of systematically documenting the performance of students as evidence of the need for additional services after making changes in classroom instruction. (U.S. Department of Education, 2014). I have the smallest group of students; they are also the students most challenged by mathematical concepts and calculations. To keep engagement high, I use games and manipulatives to teach various math concepts. Recently, I added animated math videos from BrainPOP to the mix and the students love them. The site is subscription-based and uses characters Tim and Moby to explain and demonstrate a plethora of math content such temperature, fractions, graphing on a coordinate plane and the difference between a word problem and regular math problem.
ReplyDeleteFor those who teach higher level math or just love math, I recently came across an app called Mathemagics. This app for the iPhone or iPad allows the user to “Learn and practice the tricks of mental math calculation in a fun and engaging application” (Blue Lightning Labs, 2014). The app offers levels of math tricks and proficiency practice. I shared the idea with the teacher who instructs the highest-achieving math students in our RTI format. He is uploading the app to the student iPads this weekend, and I am anxious to hear his feedback. Has anyone else used the Mathemagics app?
References
Blue Lightning Labs. (2014). Mathemagics- mental math tricks. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathemagics-mental-math-tricks/id306586847?mt=8
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. (2014).
National technical assistance center on positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). Retrieved from http://www.pbis.org/school/rti.aspx
Amy,
DeleteI have not heard of the Mathemagics iPad app. I have 5 iPads currently in my room all day. Is this resource mainly for upper elementary or can early childhood benefit from it as well?
Whitney
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. I reviewed the Brain Pop Jr. instructional website you mentioned. I found that it will be very pleasing for my third graders. The graphic images are designed to keep students engaged and draw their attention while they learn. I will definitely incorporate this website in my lessons. Thanks for sharing!
Mayeva,
DeleteI think there is a free trial for a few weeks, but after that there is a fee to use it. You might want to check with your administration to see if they have any extra funds for use of BrainPop. Good luck, and thank you for your kind comment.
Whitney