Top 10 Classroom Behaviors: Elementary
This list includes the Top 10 behaviors (in no particular order) that elementary students exhibit throughout the year. Along with the specific behaviors, I have also included three potential ways to solve this behavior problem.
Tattling
To curb tattling, teachers can have a class discussion about the difference between tattling (telling someone to intentionally cause trouble) and reporting (telling a teacher to help another student in crisis) to enlighten all students.
When approached by a tattling student, the teacher can ask the student for ways that he or she believes will solve the problem, instead of the teacher providing her own intervention plan.
Teachers can introduce a box at the beginning of the year where students can anonymously write down their tattles, so that they aren't telling everyone.
Farting
If a student is not farting repeatedly, teachers can simply ignore it so that the students will do the same.
Teachers can introduce a social skills lesson about bodily functions so that students will not laugh at the issue as much.
Teachers can hold an individual conversation with a student to curb behavior and find cause (attention-seeking or otherwise) of behavior.
Bathroom
Classrooms need to have a procedure, such as a hand signal, that students will use when they need to go to the bathroom.
Teachers should not limit the number of bathroom visits per day, so that students don't feel pressured. However, if students are spending a long time in the bathroom during each trip, a timer can be set.
When a student asks to leave for the bathroom, set aside work (for example, on a magnet by the door) to be completed when the student returns. This will avoid students going to the bathroom to simply avoid class or skip out on work.
Choosing Partners
At the beginning of the year, choose partners for the students.
When students are given permission to choose their own partners, "no" should not be allowed. If someone asks another student to be his or her partner, he or she must say yes.
Before asking students to create groups, check for the number of students present. Teachers should be conscious of whether groups of two or groups of three will work best.
Relationships
If friendship difficulties are affecting class time, teachers may need to have a one-on-one meeting with each friend, and then a group meeting to resolve difficulties.
As girls and boys are beginning to be attracted to one another, teachers may need to incorporate more frequent health lessons into the curriculum.
Students who are being exclusive will need to discuss this issue with the teacher, and may need assistance in confronting left-out students.
Bullying
Bullying should be presented at the beginning of the year as not tolerated, in opening discussions and classroom newsletters.
If bullying occurs, the teacher should bring it to discussion during a classroom meeting to discover the underlying cause of bullying.
The teacher should discuss bullying with the bully and the student being bullied individually to discover the feelings and cause of bullying.
Forgetting Homework
Teachers should set up a homework procedure at the beginning of the year, including baskets to place assignments in and a planner policy for students to record homework.
Students who forget their homework frequently may be required to get their planners signed by their parents each night.
Providing a "homework club" at lunch or after school can allow students to get their work done before even leaving the building.
Put-Downs
Negative comments should be ignored when initially stated.
Teachers should pull students aside and talk about the way the put-down student may have felt in this situation.
In a classroom meeting, teachers should discuss student differences and talk about how everyone is unique in their own special way.
Toys/Electronics from Home
In an opening letter, teachers should state that toys and electronics from home can cause a distraction in the classroom, and should not be brought to school in case they get lost.
Students who bring items from home should be asked to place them in their backpacks so they leave the building at the end of the day.
If students are able to leave toys at home for a pre-determined period of time, teachers can provide a reward day where these items are allowed in the classroom.
Getting off Task
A morning meeting should be provided each day to allow students to share about their out-of-school lives.
Students can be provided an opportunity to meet with their teacher when needed to share about things that are happening outside of the classroom.
When a student's response gets the class discussion off task, the teacher should acknowledge the student positively for contributing to the classroom, but then alter discussion in order to get back on task.
To curb tattling, teachers can have a class discussion about the difference between tattling (telling someone to intentionally cause trouble) and reporting (telling a teacher to help another student in crisis) to enlighten all students.
When approached by a tattling student, the teacher can ask the student for ways that he or she believes will solve the problem, instead of the teacher providing her own intervention plan.
Teachers can introduce a box at the beginning of the year where students can anonymously write down their tattles, so that they aren't telling everyone.
Farting
If a student is not farting repeatedly, teachers can simply ignore it so that the students will do the same.
Teachers can introduce a social skills lesson about bodily functions so that students will not laugh at the issue as much.
Teachers can hold an individual conversation with a student to curb behavior and find cause (attention-seeking or otherwise) of behavior.
Bathroom
Classrooms need to have a procedure, such as a hand signal, that students will use when they need to go to the bathroom.
Teachers should not limit the number of bathroom visits per day, so that students don't feel pressured. However, if students are spending a long time in the bathroom during each trip, a timer can be set.
When a student asks to leave for the bathroom, set aside work (for example, on a magnet by the door) to be completed when the student returns. This will avoid students going to the bathroom to simply avoid class or skip out on work.
Choosing Partners
At the beginning of the year, choose partners for the students.
When students are given permission to choose their own partners, "no" should not be allowed. If someone asks another student to be his or her partner, he or she must say yes.
Before asking students to create groups, check for the number of students present. Teachers should be conscious of whether groups of two or groups of three will work best.
Relationships
If friendship difficulties are affecting class time, teachers may need to have a one-on-one meeting with each friend, and then a group meeting to resolve difficulties.
As girls and boys are beginning to be attracted to one another, teachers may need to incorporate more frequent health lessons into the curriculum.
Students who are being exclusive will need to discuss this issue with the teacher, and may need assistance in confronting left-out students.
Bullying
Bullying should be presented at the beginning of the year as not tolerated, in opening discussions and classroom newsletters.
If bullying occurs, the teacher should bring it to discussion during a classroom meeting to discover the underlying cause of bullying.
The teacher should discuss bullying with the bully and the student being bullied individually to discover the feelings and cause of bullying.
Forgetting Homework
Teachers should set up a homework procedure at the beginning of the year, including baskets to place assignments in and a planner policy for students to record homework.
Students who forget their homework frequently may be required to get their planners signed by their parents each night.
Providing a "homework club" at lunch or after school can allow students to get their work done before even leaving the building.
Put-Downs
Negative comments should be ignored when initially stated.
Teachers should pull students aside and talk about the way the put-down student may have felt in this situation.
In a classroom meeting, teachers should discuss student differences and talk about how everyone is unique in their own special way.
Toys/Electronics from Home
In an opening letter, teachers should state that toys and electronics from home can cause a distraction in the classroom, and should not be brought to school in case they get lost.
Students who bring items from home should be asked to place them in their backpacks so they leave the building at the end of the day.
If students are able to leave toys at home for a pre-determined period of time, teachers can provide a reward day where these items are allowed in the classroom.
Getting off Task
A morning meeting should be provided each day to allow students to share about their out-of-school lives.
Students can be provided an opportunity to meet with their teacher when needed to share about things that are happening outside of the classroom.
When a student's response gets the class discussion off task, the teacher should acknowledge the student positively for contributing to the classroom, but then alter discussion in order to get back on task.
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