Strategy

Reinforcing Positive Behavior

Theory/Research
Ripple Effect by Jacob Kounin

Specific Context

Reflection on practice

Example 1: When a student came into class

and set up their binder, was seated and
ready to begin, I congratulated that student
aloud on their great initiative. The next
class, more students behaved in the same
way.

This experience allowed me to understand that

people respond better to positivity than negativity,
especially with regards to classroom management.
Dwelling on negative behavior increases tension and
anxiety amongst students and teacher, decreasing
the overall goal of creating a safe and encouraging
environment.

Example 2: Give out monthly awards (i.e.:

printed certificate) to students who have
shown excellence in one of the learning
skills.
Responsibilities

The Ginnott Model

Example: Having tasks that are rotated

amongst students on a monthly basis
(attendance monitor, recycling, lunch bins
etc). As a student, you have a choice in
which responsibility you would like to take
on, however each student must fulfill at
least three different duties over the course
of the year.

Giving students the opportunity to make a choice

and to feel like a contributing and important member
of the class, increases confidence and builds
leadership skills. In addition, accepting responsibility
promotes independence from the teacher,
decreasing the chance of hostility.

Points, Bell, Non-Verbal

Communication (NVC) etc.

Assertive Discipline Theory

Example 1: I have used point systems in my

classes in the past to identify to the
students as well as to other teachers how
the students behaved during my period. The
goal is to have a high amount of points as
once the students reach 100, they get to
have a celebration.

I strongly believe all of these techniques work well in

practice. The points system in conjunction with the
bell put the ownness onto the students for their
behavior. I found that holding them responsible for
their actions works more effectively than a negative
conversation about class behavior.

Example 2: The Bell is a technique Ive

seen used in conjunction with a points
system. When the bell is rung, all students
are to be quiet and give their teacher their
attention. If not, they run the risk of losing
points.
Example 3: NVC is used when students are
given a choice of activities to work. While
choice promotes growth, it can often lead to
a noisey classroom. NVC is a system where
5 minutes of non verbal communication
occurs. At the end of these five minutes,
students have a choice to leave NVC on or
to take it off.

I personally loved working with NVC in classes, as it

gave students who prefer a quiet atmosphere the
opportunity to work independently and not be looked
down upon. This technique makes it clear that the
classroom volume levels are not okay, without
penalizing specific individuals.