5th Grade - Classroom Management ideas

[Anne-Marie]

I saw this once in a classroom, but I'm trying to remember exactly how it went. I'd appreciate any input on anyone who has tried this sort of thing.

There was a seat set off from the other students.
If a student was disruptive, breaking rules, etc, they were sent to the seat, and they had to write why their behavior was inappropriate and what they could to avoid it next time.

Now, the student stayed there until the teacher had a chance to come over and check it out.

If the student fell behind in classwork, they had to finish it at recess.

I know this system isn't perfect, because the student might associate writing with drudgery, but I think it does help them articulate what they are doing and how to change it.

Anyone have management ideas like this one that work for older elementary students?

[Ms.Champion]

hello there! That idea would definitely not work for me, although it sounds like it could work. lol I teach 6th grade at a middle school. Last year my mentor introduced me to a behavior chart that she used in her room. I implemented it last year in the middle of the year and it worked really well. So, I decided to use it again this year, but just start it at the beginning at the school year.

This is how it works, I hope it makes sense. lol

I have two groups of students, Block One and Block Two. I have a poster board, that has labels, "Behavior Chart," "Block One Arrow" and "Block Two Arrow." I have a excel spreadsheet that has all of the students names on it in rows and the days of the week in columns. It also has a behavior chart code on there. T = talking, ASL=asleep, DF=defiant, DIS=Disruptive, THR=Throwing objects in class, etc...

Anyway--how it works is, if a child is doing any of the unacceptable behavior listed above, I let them know and will simply say, "Johny, go put a T for talking." The student knows that they are to walk up to the behavior chart and put a T beside their name and on the particular day it is. If they go to the behavior chart three times in a day, then they are sent to "redirect" at our school (basically chillout). They start off fresh everyday. So, anyway, that is what I use. If you want to look at the spreadsheet for the chart, let me know. Hope that helps!

[dsmms]

I have done something similar, with a few key differences. If you have a teacher from another class that you can collaborate with, have the student go to the other teachers class for isolation. You can do the same for the other teacher. In addition to them filling out a behavior contract, they were given their work for the day and they were to do it. I found that it was especially effective to use a classroom from another grade level (out of their comfort zone) The teacher did not tollerate any goofing around and the work was always completed. The student even had lunch with that class. I used this as a last resort before turning it over to the principal.

[teacher5]

Anne-Marie: I have an ongoing system of points for any kind of positive behaviors that are displayed. You can also lose points for the wrong behaviors. Every six days you can use your points to buy treats from my Treasure Box. If there is a severe or repetitive infraction of the rules, not only do you lose points, but you stay in at recess time and write what you did, and what you plan on doing next time in order to avoid this situation. The student must date it and sign it. If it occurs again, it is the phone call home or to a parent's workplace. The kid gets on the phone and explains why the call is being made. Don't hang up until there is a new plan in place. You also have documentation that this has happened before, and the kid made a plan, and did not follow up. Again, you MUST show the parent and administrator that you have tried to work with the kid before you go to the principal. Good luck!