Behavior Strategies?

[Grace07]

Hello! I teacher Special Education .. 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Discipline is always an issue in my classroom because I really don't have good support at all from my principals and/or administrative staff. I was consolidated into a school that didn't want our kids or teachers to begin with, and it's been rough (long story). Anyway, I am looking for strategies I can use in my classroom with 4th 5th and 6th grade special education students to help with my discipline issues.

Any suggestions would be wonderful? Thanks so much! :)

~Grace

[MrsR]

I have seen a visual behavior chart used in the higher elementary special ed grades. I used something similar when I taught Pre-K. When I taught Pre-K, I had large pictures of a star, happy face, sad face, and uh-oh, placed in a high traffic area in the room, where each student would be able to see it at all times. Each student had a clothespin with his/her name on it. Everyone started the day off on happy face, they were able to bump up to star if they were listening and "being a good friend". They were asked to bump down when they were not listening or "being a good friend". As a class we decided on the consequences of ending the day on a sad face or uh-oh.
In the higher grades I have seen this used in a similar way. Instead of the symbols you may want to use words. You may want to give each student his/her own chart to keep at his/her desk.
Also, I had the students move the clothespins themselves, so they were able to take ownership of their behavior, in a sense.

[SpEd guy]

Consistency is really the key. I'd come up with 3 to 5 rules such as stay on task, use your best effort, respect others, etc. If possible, students should be asked individually if they are following these rules each hour/30 minutes/15 minutes/whatever. You can give points for a chart system or introduce classroom currency or give some type of golden tickets.

[melpara]

Hi!!! I too have asked for advice for this!!! I work in Primary...but I may have suggestions to help ease your worries!!! I use in my classroom...TIMERS!!! I have a set amount of work time that I set when a child start to do individual work. When the timer goes off and the child has done their work I give them a set amount of free time to do an activity that they choose from a list of activities that you give them. Also, a good resource to use is the Applied Behavior Analysis program...you can search this on the interent and it will pull up many sites that give GREAT ideas on how to manage behaviors. I have also found that using a behavior chart to see what causes the problem also is a GREAT help!!! Then you can try to manage the situation. The visual schedules are also good and work well for some children. I hope that this has provided you with some useful information!!!

[mopar]

I have used a stop sign...similar to the smiley face idea. The students begin on green, move to yellow with a warning and red with a call home or they need to write a letter to their parents.

I have found that positives seem to work better with many students. In this case, I have given my students something to work for (yes, it costs a little out of pocket) but well worth the extra money. I will make a box of donuts with 12 donuts. Then, for each day or however long you decide, that a student behaves, they would receive one donut. I tell the students that they have like 15 days to earn the box filled with donuts for me to buy them a donut or two of their choosing. I have also made ice cream sundaes, pizza, special field trips. Occasionally, I would ask the parents to send in money to support these extras. But I've found that the students enjoy displaying their pieces and it is a constant reminder of what they are working towards.

Also, any kind of star chart that a student keeps on their desk. When they fill it up they get to work with a friend or a no homework pass. It reminds you to give positives and the kids want the rewards.