Behaviour Management strategies. Top tips for a calm classroom.

Behaviour management is one of the greatest challenges that we all face. It’s not only new teachers that can feel overwhelmed by the demands of our ever-evolving nature of education.  Over the past five years, I’ve been learning different ways to manage a range of behaviour. I’ve experimented with a range of strategies that have worked and NOT worked. Here are some of my favourites.

        Whole Class rewards.  

Whole class rewards are such a simple and effective way for children to work together. I have always used a marble jar. This is a great visual way for children to build up rewards. It’s also good for quick maths questions eg, “how many more marbles until the jar is filled?” The children can only fill the jar IF everyone in the class is working well. If one child is letting the class down, then the class don’t get the marble. Once the jar is filled the children pick a whole class treat. Some of the most popular have been, making cakes, a trip to the local park, hot chocolate and movie, PJ party, slime party and ice cream. I printed my marble jar from a picture from google, and printed it onto my favorite neon paper. I use my marble jar in addition to personal behaviour management strategies.

Wheel of fortune

I love, love LOVE my wheel of fortune. The children adore this. I let the children collect reward coupons and then they can take a spin on the wheel. They can collect a coupon for being kind, completing homework or doing a show stopping piece of work. I let the children pick their own rewards. If you like the sound of the wheel of fortune, you can find the link here.

      Emoji Cards

My new emoji cards are one such a fun way for children to take control of their own behaviour. Each card is personalised, when children are behaving well, do a piece of good work etc, they get their card punched. Once children have completed their card they can pick from the class prize box or spin the wheel. To get the great hole puncher I use for the cards click here.

        Stickers

You can never go wrong with stickers! I’ve never met a child who doesn’t go crazy for them! I use a range of stickers, my favourite are scented ones from Primary TeachingServices. They smell divine and they have such a great selection. I’ve also started making my own bitmoji stickers. The children love receiving a “Miss Craven” sticker. These are simple to make. I use avery stickers to make these. Head over to my Instagram page to find my tutorial on how I make them.

           Brain Boosters

Brain boosters are yummm! These are for on the spot praise. Unfortunately, stickers are quite expensive, so this is a cheap strategy to run alongside. I buy a pack of chocolate cherrios from the “brain booster shop.” The children can earn these at any point of the day.

  Whole Class behaviour Chart

Something I’ve used in the past that works well, is a whole class chart. Each child has their name on a watermelon (it fits my tropical themed classroom). The children all start off at the same spot at the beginning of each day. The children can then move up or down, behaviour dependent. If the children reach the very top, they get sent a positive note home. If the children reach the bottom of the chart, they will receive a phone call home to parents.

          

           Verbal Praise

Verbal praise is something that I use constantly. I regularly stop the class and show good work, or let children show their work. This is a quick and simple way that is hugely effective.

Voice Levels

I'm sure it's not just my class, but they can be so noisy. For months I tried different things such as power points and posters. Nothing seemed to work... until my voice level lights! These have been the best things ever. I hit the light to indicate what level their voices should be at. Such a quick, simple resource. I'm currently working on updating my display! I will update you as soon as i've finished it. If you're interested in these lights just click here.

These are just a few of the strategies that I’ve come to love. I am currently working on some new strategies for my new classroom. I plan to update this post with the new strategies that I intend to implement in my new classroom.