Behavior Management

At a glance

Students feel connected to school and their peers when teachers take actions to promote positive, pro-social behaviors in the classroom.
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Overview

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

Students felt more connected when:

  • Students receive clear instructions about how to do their work in classes.
  • Teachers make a point of sticking to the rules in classes.
  • Teachers address students acting up in class.
  • Students understand consequences for breaking a rule.

Behavior management

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

Example strategies:

Clearly communicate to students what they are expected to do to complete their work and why. This includes providing clear (ideally written and oral/recorded) procedures for completing class assignments, turning in homework, and working in groups.

Virtual learning settings

Keep consistent routines, schedules, and methods for participating in remote learning. Consider developing a virtual learning matrix that clearly outlines what is expected of students in the virtual classroom.

Example strategies:

Use a strengths focus to support the development of positive behaviors. For example, create positive classroom roles for students, such as leading an activity that aligns with their strengths and interests.

Help students who display disruptive behavior develop alternative behaviors. Examples include:

  • Post key classroom rules, agreements, and procedures in visible locations as a reminder of class expectations.
  • Emphasize that behaviors are choices that students have control over.

Be mindful of how implicit biases may lead to stereotyping and unfair disciplinary practices. This may be particularly true for racial and ethnic minority students who experience disproportionately negative disciplinary actions.

Tips for virtual settings

Consider using virtual tools that give students immediate behavioral feedback and reinforcement. Some schools may have software programs that provide such feedback by smartphone app. Or, track feedback in a spreadsheet; then deliver constructive feedback to students not meeting expectations via 1:1 virtual check in.

Example strategies:

Be consistent and predictable when enforcing class rules to eliminate the perception of favoritism and emphasize fairness.

Make sure all students receive the same consequences (consistency) every time (predictability), and positively reinforce pro-social behaviors often for everyone.

Example strategies:

Set clear, logical consequences for breaking class rules and agreements early on. Be mindful of the difference between logical consequences and punishment:

  • Logical consequences are directly linked to students' behavior and focus on corrective guidance and modelling to promote learning and behavior change.
  • Punishment focuses on short-term compliance.

Make sure students always have access to the rules and consequences. You could give a copy to every student and also post it in the physical classroom or on an online platform. Consider reviewing the rules and consequences periodically, as needed.

Virtual classrooms

Ensure that students know the positive and negative consequences of their virtual actions. Also, make sure that class rules and consequences are equitable, regardless of students' home environment and resources.

For example, some students may have unreliable Internet service or may lack needed materials or devices for virtual learning. These issues could make active engagement in lessons difficult.

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