Extinction at elementary level?

by C

Apr 8, 2010

As a future teacher at the elementary level, I hope to be able to create an environment where the highest ability of learning is able to be achieved. I am just worried about those students who are always acting out. What times of behavior modification work best at the elementary level? I have considered presentation punishment or even removal punishment, but ultimately I hope to be able to use extinction to eliminate bad behavior. Is extinction truly effective elementary level? If not, what type of behavior modification works best at this level? Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

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dan4thgr Also, always have your next management idea ready to go. No plan works forever. Don't forget that you are the boss and as long as you appear to be fair most kids will go along with you. You can have different plans for different kids. Always keep the parents in mind, even if they are worse than their children. Phone calls home can work wonders, neg...See More

Apr 21, 2010

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Leah The following articles may provide some insight:

Love and Logic Basics; Elementary Classroom Rules and Management: Rewards in the Classroom; Successful Teachers.

Click below and on the title of your choice

Apr 21, 2010

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Lynn You've already received great advice! I just want to add on to the person who said to keep the parents involved. Make a chart that lists the following: Student's name; date/time called; reason for call; person you spoke to; results of call. Fill it in every time you call. Besides being able to use this document as proof that you at least attempted ...See MoreYou've already received great advice! I just want to add on to the person who said to keep the parents involved. Make a chart that lists the following: Student's name; date/time called; reason for call; person you spoke to; results of call. Fill it in every time you call. Besides being able to use this document as proof that you at least attempted to communicate with certain parents, it's also really useful to you to remember things you discussed with parents that you might need to implement, etc.

One thing that has been a great benefit is at the start of the school year (within the first 1-3 days) I loosely identify students who may get into a bit of trouble through the year and might warrant a phone call home at a later date. After school, I call their parents.

I introduce myself and tell them how much I enjoyed meeting their child. I relate an anecdote about him/her I witnessed and then say "I look forward to working with you as team player to ensure your child's success this year." I give them a number (or email) I can be reached at should they have any questions or concerns.

I teach 4th grade, so usually the student's parents I call at this point are so use to receiving calls about how badly their children are behaving, they are on the defensive and quite taken aback when they learn the phone call is purely positive.

I make this phone call because I know I will have to call again about this child, and the next time it probably won't be positive. I don't want my first phone call to the parent to be negative.

The next time I do need to call, I lead off with 1-2 positives and an improvement.

I have done this every year I have been teaching and have NEVER had a problem with a parent. Occasionally teachers in lower grade levels will comment on difficult parents they had and while I have had those same kids, their parents have been a joy and great support. That's not to say I haven't had students who have had problems behaving. Yet, getting the parents on your side is a huge step.

I also make it a point to call EVERY student's parent once a month. This also does wonders for behavior, sense of pride, and accomplishment. This is also where that call chart comes in handy...to keep track of who I have called.

Apr 21, 2010

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Leah Excellent advice Lynn!

Apr 22, 2010

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T.S. On 4/08/10, C wrote: > As a future teacher at the elementary level, I hope to be > able to create an environment where the highest ability of > learning is able to be achieved. I am just worried about > those students who are always acting out. What times of > behavior modification work best at the elementary level? I > have consi...See MoreOn 4/08/10, C wrote: > As a future teacher at the elementary level, I hope to be > able to create an environment where the highest ability of > learning is able to be achieved. I am just worried about > those students who are always acting out. What times of > behavior modification work best at the elementary level? I > have considered presentation punishment or even removal > punishment, but ultimately I hope to be able to use > extinction to eliminate bad behavior. Is extinction truly > effective elementary level? If not, what type of behavior > modification works best at this level? Any responses would > be greatly appreciated!

When you student teach, you will probably be following your cooperating teachers' behavior plan(s) for the most part. The important thing for you to do will be to keep to it consistently and fairly.

(I don't know what "presentation punishment" and "extinction punishment" and all of those big fancy college words mean, but I do know how to keep an elementary classroom full of kids well-behaved.)

When you have your own classroom - You can't have too many management plans in place. Keep it simple and consistent. I use a color chart with blue, yellow, orange, and red.

Blue - Behavior is great.

Yellow - Warning zone. 5 minutes off of recess.

Orange - Out for full recess period and/or call to parents.

Red - Call to parents and stay after school (almost never happens...I haven't had a kid on red all year.)

Also - I use a positive/group system. I have a star chart. When kids are caught doing the right thing, or when I think they deserve it, I give a star to the table of kids that are cooperating. The table with the most stars gets to pick something out of the treasure box on Friday.

Homewor Stars chart - Each kid has their name on the "Homework Stars" board. If they fail to complete a homework, their name is removed. At the end of the month, I offer a small snack (popcorn or cookie or something) to the kids' whose name is still on the chart. Then the names go back up we start all over for the next month.

Line Rules - Line in the hall must be silent. If you're chaught talking, you simply tell the child to go to the end. If the child is at the end talking, then you move his color card on the behavior chart when you get back.

I have other behavior plans too, but what I'm trying to say is - come up with some simple, easy-to-enforce behavior systems that you can follow throughout the year. Kids need some rules and boundaries, but at the elementary level they cannot be ambiguous. They need to see that when they behave - good things happen. When they don't behave - there are appropriate consequences.

May 2, 2010

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