High School Classroom Management

I am looking for any advice or suggestions on classroom management, organization, use of incentives (points, tickets, etc.) for special education high school English 10 and 11. These students are mild and are on a diploma track. This is my first year teaching high school, and any advice would be great.

well there are a lot of thing you can do! last year i was in kind of the same situation, so i made up this point system that works like real money and a bank account! 1st find out everyones reinforcers such as TV time, computer time, free time, outdoor activities, ask around for donations such as sodas or drinks, candy, chips, also buying the $10 Mp3 players was a hit, even though it came out of my own pocket it was worth it! also one of the reinforcers was to skip a lesson. After you get all their likes and what not, set up an "account" for everyone. I had to start from the bottom, so showing up to class on time was like 20 bucks! also participating was another big one, as well as doing acceptable work. while teaching a subject, if they answered a qestion they would get points, if they acted appropriately they would get points, it was kind of like a praise thing, so everything they did that was good, they got points. if they did wrong i wouldnt take points away, i just gave points to the other kids who were on the right track! lol every point = $1. price all the reinforcers low the 1st week so they can get a feel for it and as the weeks progress increase the prices. as they want to buy something they would use their points, and they would have to keep track of it (as well as yourself, because some was sneaky) like a checking account, if they didnt have points then they would have to work for points.

Also i use the STAR program, it has like a lil penny board with velcro on it and they pick something they want to work for such as TV, so they would have to fill up the penny board, usually 5 tasks, and then after they did they would get the reinforcer..in this case TV

Hope this helps! if anything ask me i would be happy to help!

2009-08-10 12:56:45 by Sienna

Welcome to Our Promo for "Classroom Management (Secondary) ."Teachers Network is now also making available individual videos for either ...

I have been teaching middle school for two and a half years and would like to move to high school. I know how to approach an eleven year old, but not a sixteen year old. What suggestions do you have for effective classroom management strategies?

Scary?

C'mon!

Professionalism counts.

*Set out the rules (boundaries/guidelines, you get the idea).

*Don't have too many rules.

*Have clear expectations(behavioral/academic/etc.).

*Stick to your guns (don't ever waiver with regard to your rules/expectations, EVER).

*Let them know (ARTICULATE) that you will be available to help them out after school/before school/during lunch if they have any questions regarding your lessons, and BE there for them.
**If they try to take advantage of you -"play you"-, calmly push them in the right direction.

*Always be professional (don't take things personally).

Good luck, I hope this helps.

2007-01-15 09:47:35 by QT D Bomb

Price: $32.95

You have 80 students in one class? Geez, I am so sorry.

Anyway, the best classroom management book I have ever read is "Tools For Teaching" by Fred Jones. My favorite part is that he has a great system based on time --- e.g., kids come prepared, work hard to have a productive day, and so on; then the class can earn small amounts of time that can add up at the end of the week for cool (educationally appropriate) activities.

Check it out!

2010-05-13 22:13:30 by eric r

Price: $27.95

Just google "classroom management secondary." In my experience, classroom management is classroom management. Just be clear about your expectations and don't give in to the students.

Students will rise or fall according to your expectations. Usually.

Also, don't smile until Thanksgiving. (lol)

2006-08-10 18:29:37 by ridham

I just received a position working with high school students who qualify for special education services for behavior management and emotional needs. I have just started taking courses towards obtaining my 801 special education license. I am going into this job blind, and would like any helpful hints for classroom management, chemistry and overall classroom set up. I do not know exactly how my resource room interacts with the rest of the school and how we as educators respond to the students. I was told we collaborate and all special education teachers share teaching responsibilities according to our students learning levels, but I will maintain the ED students IEP and BIPs. Basically I am looking for any information that could be helpful to me as a first time educator in a high school setting and working with ED students.

First of all, best of luck. This is not an easy position for any teacher, let alone a first-timer. Some suggestions that I have seen be effective in other behavior units:

1. Emphasis should be on social skills first, then academics. Many of these kids are smart, but their behavioral difficulties get in the way of their learning (duh, that' s why they are in your classroom in the first place, but you'd be amazed at the number of teachers in these types of units that try to force all academics, all the time as in a regular classroom). The sooner you recognize this, the better off your classroom will be. If an opportunity arises for a social skills "teaching moment", take it! You will most likely have to reiterate the same points repeatedly. Just remember, as frustrated as you get, multiply that by ten and that's how the kids are feeling.

2. Post a list of rules and expectations that is front and center in your classroom. Make it big and noticeable. I know you're in a high school classroom, but believe me, these kids need this type of structure, as childish as it might seem. The rules should be stated positively, making it clear the behaviors you WANT from the kids, not what you don't want. For example, rather than "Do not get up without permission", try "Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat". Or rather than "No calling out", try "Raise your hand before speaking." Keep the list of rules short and simple, and use positive language. Other rules you might want to include: 1. Use polite language; 2. Show respect to peers and teachers; 3. Follow directions. Also, you may want to demonstrate each rule on the first day of class. That way, there is no pleading ignorance that the kids didn't know what "polite language" is. For example, state the rule first: "Use polite language". Then give examples (I don't like, I'm not happy with...) and non-examples (curse words). Again, it sounds childish, but it will help set the tone for the year (i.e., that you aren't taking any crap. These kids may have problems, but they aren't dumb. They are going to know you're new and use that to their every advantage. You need to let them know from day one that YOU'RE in charge, not them).

3. You might want to ask if you can get carrels for your classroom. These kids tend to get distracted easily, and having a desk with sides helps them to be able to block others out when necessary. It also allows for a private cool down spot if needed.

4. Establish a level system for behavior. There are many different types of systems. Most systems I've seen use daily "point cards" with the level system. Students earn points for appropriate behavior throughout the day. Each level requires a certain amount of points, and has certain priviliges that accompany it. A child is able to work his way out of the behavior unit and into regular classes by earning points and moving through the levels. Check out my resource for more on how to set something like this up.

5. Reinforcement for appropriate behavior is essential. It needs to be immediate and plentiful. You should follow the 3:1 rule; that is, for every one negative comment, your should be giving three positive comments. Praise every instance of appropriate behavior, no matter how trivial. Make sure to be specific, so kids know exactly what they did to get the praise and what to do for next time. For example, rather than "Good job, Billy", try "Billy, I really liked the way you asked permission when you wanted to use the stapler." That way, there is no confusion about what Billy did correctly, and he'll now be more likely to ask permission in the future.

6. Get used to ignoring ALOT. Many of these kids crave attention, and in the past, their negative behavior has gained them alot of it. Well, things are going to change in your room. That's one good thing about this type of classroom; you can alot more slide than in a regular classroom. These kids are button-pushers, and guaranteed they will find your hot button and push and push. If the behavior isn't what you want, IGNORE IT. In addition, praise someone who IS doing the right thing. For example, if Billy (poor Billy!) is cursing and whining to get your attention for help on a worksheet, ignore it. Rather, go and help someone who is quietly raising his hand. Be sure to point this out: "Thank you, Chris, for raising your hand and being quiet. How can I help you?". Along these same lines, learn to let stuff go. These kids are going to curse, shout, and be generally obnoxious. Some can help it, some can't, and even the ones who can control it can't do it all the time. If it's not harming the child or someone else, let it go. As a wise person once said, you need not attend every battle you are invited to!

That's all I can think of off-hand. One of the best resources out there is Jim Wright's Intervention Central. Here, you'll find all kinds of resources and tips for behavior management, with easy to use print-outs and fun ideas for rewards systems and such. www.interventioncentral.org and www.jimwrightonline.org

Again, best of luck!

2008-07-26 09:53:54 by hob2213