Effective Classroom Management: Strategies to
Create and Capture a Cooperative Classroom
Lynn Kirby (UT Austin)[email protected]
Scott Fray (NAU)[email protected]
“Classroom management is the most important factor
governing student learning”
• Harry Wong in “The First Days of School”
What does typical student “behavior management” look
like?
Scenario Student Teacher“As always, the ongoing challenges are along
the lines of disciplinary and other issues related to classroom management.” This one boy in particular is driving me crazy, he won’t do any work and disrupts class every chance he gets. I’m constantly trying to get him to do
some work…
With your table partners write down you first thoughts, what do we do?
What does “Classroom Management” actually mean?
(Write definitions on response sheets)
Fray’s definition based upon years of experience observing real
teachers, handling real problems, with real students, in real
classrooms…“Classroom management is a system of bribes and threats used to manipulate student
behavior.”
Student responses to scenario?
Common responses• Call the parents• Send to principal’s office• Tell him you will give him a zero• Make him come in during lunch• Make him sit by himself during class• Offer 10 minutes of recess if he does
his work.• Give him “class cash” (or other
token) used to buy rewards• Suggested rewards (bribes)
“If there is not an inherent attracting power in the material then the teacher will… make a bid or offering a bribe for attention by ‘making the lesson interesting’; or else will resort to… low marks, threats of non-promotion, staying after school… But the attention thus gained… always remains dependent upon something external.”
~ John Dewey 1915
A return to basics…
What do we know about how students learn?
What is “inquiry-based instruction”?
Why do we advocate teaching through inquiry? What are the
benefits?
We believe students learn about the world they live in through experience
and reflection…
But, we expect them to learn to manage their own behavior by telling them what
to do…
Problem???
If we want to inspire our students to do their best, what does research demonstrate is most beneficial for
human motivation?
Most harmful?
Business/Management…
• Merit pay doesn’t work.• “Compensation systems often act as
barriers to achieving productivity, quality, and intrinsic motivation…”
~ Frederick Herzberg• “Money is not a motivator.”
~ W. Edwards Deming• Changing the way workers are treated may
boost productivity more than changing the way they are paid.”
~Alan S. Blinder (Paying for Productivity: A Look
At the Evidence)
Economics Research
While it works (up to a point) for menial tasks, the more you pay
someone the poorer performance you get for cognitive tasks.
“Larger rewards inhibit creativity.”
That sounds like it might be important for educators
CriminologyHarsher punishments:• Three strikes• Death Penalty• Minimum sentencing
The United States has the most prisoners of any developed country in
the world in raw numbers and as a percentage of the population.
Public opinions on Education?“We need to crack down on
discipline…”
Haven’t we?• Zero tolerance laws
– Kindergartener expelled for kiss on the cheek– Student expelled for pretending a pencil was a gun– Maryland 7-year-old suspended for chewing his Pop-
Tart into the shape of a gun (2013)– Michigan senior expelled in October for forgetting the
pocketknife in her purse. – Seven teenagers arrested and charged with
“disorderly conduct” for an end-of-the-year water balloon fight (2013)
• School to prison pipeline
Other interesting facts about changing human
behavior…Recidivism: 68 percent of prisoners released were arrested for a new crime within three years of release, and 77 percent were arrested within five years.Least effective at reducing recidivism?
Intensive supervision: surveillance-oriented programs “We’re watching you!” (0% success)
Most effective?Intensive supervision: treatment-oriented programs focus on helping the person.
How about juveniles?
As an alternative to Juvenile hall: • Caseworkers focused on improving
juveniles’ skills, including relationships, school issues, employment, and free-time.
• Led to a 10% reduction in juvenile recidivism.
• The threat of punishment (going back to Juvi) leads to a higher rate of getting into trouble than talking with them.
Drug addiction
What causes heroin addiction?• Studies on rats in cages demonstrated
they choose heroin water over regular water.
• Bruce Alexander rat park.• Negative behaviors are the result of the
environment. • We are punishing people (students) for
having been abused……if you want to reduce self destructive behaviors, “Change the cage”.
What do you think is the goal of effective classroom
management?
The best classroom management gets
students to
cooperate!
Classroom management strategies
vs.
Classroom management philosophies
This means our Classroom Management Philosophies need
to be intertwined with our Philosophies of Education…
rather than a separate focus on classroom management
strategies.
What does work to motivate people and change behavior?
1.Autonomy2. Mastery3. Purpose
Google: Dan Pink + Motivation
Three Principles to help students develop intrinsic
motivation
1. “I” statements
2. Empowerment Through
Choice
3. Compassionate
Consequences(3 principles handout)
The 5-Point System
• This is only one example of how I used this. Tailor it to make it your own.
• It’s spreading, and has been implemented in multiple classrooms at this point, to much success.
Practicing “I” statements…
• Take out your lab sheets.
• Don’t go to your locker while I’m talking.
• Will you please be quiet!
• Put your name on your paper!
• Turn your work in on time or you’ll get a lower grade.
• Sit down or I’m putting your name on the board!
• I’ll start going over the lab sheet in 30 seconds.
• I allow people to go to their lockers when I’m not giving directions.
• I welcome everyone to stay with us as long as class isn’t being interrupted.
• I grade papers that have students’ names on them.
• I give full credit for work turned in on time.
• I’ll let everyone get started once we are all in our seats.
In conclusion…
Rewards (bribes) and punishments (threats) are detrimental to student
learning and motivation.
Intrinsic motivation comes from autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
“Change the Cage”
Who would like to share their questions & comments?
(and please fill out a feedback form before leaving)
Effective Classroom Management, Part 2:
A Day at the Improv
Lynn Kirby (UT Austin) Scott Fray (NAU)[email protected] [email protected]
Role playing
• Each group number off and lets practice using the 3 specific principles we went over for each scenario.
• Determine who plays the teacher, student(s), etc.
• Start at your tables and then we can share some examples in front of the class. – Practice is not “this is what I would do”,
but actually acting it out.
1. “I” statements
2. Empowerment Through
Choice
3. Compassionate
Consequences
Read the final scenario, which is another reflection from a student teacher.
How might developing a principled approach to classroom management help with these types of scenarios?
Who would like to share their questions & comments?
(and please fill out a feedback form before leaving)