Can I have a sticker please?

I came into school today all ready and excited for my second day of prac, ready to see what I was going to learn today. Again I had such a fantastic day and am really learning a great deal. I feel like I’ve settled in quiet well. Today I could observe the class more closely compared to my first day when I was overwhelmed with a busy day and learning everything I could about my class.

I made it my goal today at prac to look at the ways in which my teacher handles classroom and behaviour management more closely. I was happy to observe a number of different strategies in the classroom.

Classroom management

In my classroom my teacher has a sticker chart system. During class she gives children stickers not only for positive behaviour but positive attitudes to their work and other students. When children finish a whole chart of stickers they receive a prize (which they love). She also has the word TREAT on the board in bubble writing and would colour/uncolour parts of the word for good/bad whole class behaviour. If it is all coloured in at the end of the week the children get free play or to watch a movie.

An example of a sticker chart

Behaviour management

My teacher uses a few different strategies to suit different behaviours. She uses the clapping technique, a small shaker or reminds the class about the 5L’S of listening to gain whole class attention. For individual/small groups she varies in what she says which I found very interesting as well as overwhelming in that she knew exactly what to say to each individual child to reinforce positive or stop negative behaviour.

An example of the 5L's of listening

When looking at the research in regards to behaviour management, it is overwhelming and also something I am beginning to learn is somewhat of a personal preference and what “fits best” with your class.

I looked at the NSW Institute of Teachers standards to see where I needed to be as a graduate teacher and at professional competence level in terms of classroom management and found Element five:

Element 5:
 *Aspect 5.1.5 Demonstrate knowledge of practical approaches to managing student behaviour and their applications in the classroom

*Aspect 5.2.5 Manage student behaviour through engaging students in purposeful and worthwhile learning activities.

After reading these aspects I was left to question myself:

Will I be able to do this as a teacher?

How am I going to fulfill these requirements when I have a class of my own?

References:

NSW Institute of Teachers. (2006). Professional Teaching Standards, Retrieved from http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au.