My school has adopted the PBS plan as a school-wide policy. In my classroom, both my CT and I, continue to implement this behavioral plan. On day one we reviewed the school rules: Be respectful, be responsible, and be kind. She asked for each student to give an example that shows how these rules can be done. Then she had about 3 students in each group draw a picture of what not to do versus what you should do. For example, one group drew a picture of someone throwing paper balls in the bathroom and on the other half of the page they drew someone throwing their paper towel in the trashcan. After each group completed their picture they presented it to the class and then we hung them up on the wall. That way the students take responsibility for their actions and they understand the rules.
On the first day of school she also set the expectation up for the rest of the year. She clearly stated to them the behavior that is expected of them. Of course the first few days we encountered a few bumps but after that it has been pretty nice! The kids know they are expected to drop everything and freeze when the teacher says “Freeze!” or “Everyone stop. All eyes on me!” However, they do need to be reminded of this sometimes.
My CT strongly believes in highlighting the positive. However, there are times when students who are not behaving appropriately and she calls them out. Usually she does this by whispering to them or mouthing to them “warning one”. This usually fixes the problem, for the most part.
I was having trouble getting one of my students to see me as an authoritative figure so my CT pulled me aside one morning and she told me that she wanted to me to pull this little boy aside before he even walked through the door and talk to him. So I did. I asked him what I could do to help him be successful and sending a positive note home did the trick.
My CT really takes the time to get to know her students and develop a genuine caring relationship with each and every one of them. I think this not only helps determine the best way to handle a behavioral problem but I also believe it helps develop a mutual respectful relationship between the student and the teacher.
