Behavior Strategies That Actually Work: Setting Expectations

So your kiddo is driving you crazy and you don't know what to do? Been there, done that. When I first started working as a para, I was sort of just thrown in with the sharks. I was told I would have behavior training, but unfortunately, that did not happen. I was given the basics and added to an S.O.S. group chat, but that was pretty much it. I was so nervous that I would do something wrong or set the kid off even more. Truth be told- I did both. I still do both of these things, but that is a story for another time. I wanted to share one of the first things that should always be done with not only your behavior students but with the whole class.

Set Classroom Behavior Expectations! It may sound like a thing that would make you go "duh", but there are lots of different
ways to do this. I have seen teachers write it on their whiteboards, give their students a "contract" to sign, and many other strategies. My favorite is to create a classroom "rule" poster that the students help to create. If students are included in the decision-making process, they are more likely to follow the expectations they have set for themselves. The students will feel as though they have a choice in what is acceptable, rather than being told what to do and being unable to share their opinions and ideas. Students can be part of a large group discussion that makes them feel empowered to have choices. You will want to do this within the first few days of school, even though things are already crazy. Setting your classroom up to have an environment where students feel safe, empowered, and heard is beyond important. Your students will help to come up with great rules, funny rules, and rules that you probably would not have thought of. Some of the ideas I have heard are:

1. No running

2. No stealing

3. Be kind

4. Be responsible for yourself- no tattling

5. Don't step on someone's computer

6. Tell the truth

7. Work hard

8. Miss Kylie has to play with us at recess if she doesn't have meetings

9. If we have a good week we can bring a toy on Friday

10. Don't yell at your teachers or your classmates

Although these are great rules that I have heard students suggest for a classroom, they are only the basics. Sometimes students will say something funny, and sometimes you will question why something needs to be a rule at all- like "don't step on someone's computer." Letting students share their ideas and collaborate with their peers will help them feel valued, understand the importance of collaboration, and set a clear boundary for what you will allow in your classroom. Rules, rubrics, and syllabus days are boring, so let your students be silly when making the rules! Including some of their silly ideas will help them to understand that rules are give and take- if you do ___ then I will let you do ___. Let them be a part of the discussion and show them that what they say has value.

Best of luck,

Kylie