Behavior management is a crucial part of the classroom. Most teachers will agree that learning can only happen when there is structure, routines and expectations put in place. That’s why it’s so important to take the first few weeks (or however long it takes) to establish these important aspects of your classroom. I have three behavior management systems in my classroom that you can read in another post. Here, I want to show you how I track student behavior and the importance of it.
Tracking Behavior
In my classroom, I use a clip chart for individual behavior management. So, I track behavior for each student based on where their clip is at the end of the school day. (For more information on how the clip chart works, read here.) I use a graph to color in what color each students’ clip ends. This graph is a visual representation of their daily behavior. What I love most about this graph is that it is so easy to see if a student just had a behavior slip up or if behavior is something they struggle with. When I notice a student consistently getting low colors on my chart, I use a behavior intervention strategy (mentioned below).
Behavior Intervention When the Clip Chart Doesn’t Work
Every student responds differently to each behavior management strategy. Throughout my experience in teaching, I’ve had to find ways to reach each student. So when I notice a student getting low colors on my chart for a period of time, I try a behavior intervention until I find one that works.
Behavior Intervention Strategies
- Chunk the Day – Sticker Chart: This chart separates the school day into smaller parts. After each part of the day, I conference with the student about their behavior and they either get to add a sticker to their chart or they don’t.
- Recess & Lunch – Sticker Chart: Similar to chunk the day, this sticker chart is specifically for recess and lunch time behavior. This year, I’ve had a few students that do fine in the classroom but struggle with the freedom at recess and lunch. This sticker chart works well for these students.
- Blurt Chart: This is for the student who shouts out. They get three chances (or whatever you decide) and then get a consequence. I’ve never used this but there are lots of blurt chart ideas on Pinterest.
- Kerplunk: This is a whole class intervention and something that has become very popular amongst teacher Instagrams. You set up the game Kerplunk and each time the class shows the desired behavior, you have one student pull a stick. Once all the marbles/balls fall, your class wins a reward! I started this last month and am absolutely loving it! My kids responded so well and are so excited when they get to pull a stick.
What behavior interventions work best for you? Do you track your students daily behavior? Leave a comment below!
