Choices, routines, and students!

Student Choice

     The cooperative teacher uses many opportunities to provide students with choices. One example that is very popular with students is her coupon system. The students have chances to earn tickets throughout the week. On Friday, if they have earned 10 tickets they can thumb through her "coupon catalog" and choose a reward that they are interested in. She has a large array of fun choices for them and they absolutely love it! 

Students feel Safe and Loved!

    The teacher has created a very positive classroom environment with emphasis on teamwork and stamina. I was very impressed when the students were working on a computer based skills program. One student achieved a comparatively low level compared to his classmates, but he felt secure to announce his success and received a round of applause. No disparaging remarks were made, his classmates were all happy for him. Mrs. O always uses a very kind, encouraging tone.  If she gets exasperated or tired, it doesn't show. She phrases correction in very positive ways.  Her classroom is a very pleasant place to be, and the students line up to hug her at the end of the day.

Consistency and Routine lead to success

     Mrs. O has very clear routines and expectations of her class. She reinforces them with consistency, but also kindness.  Its the beginning of the year, and she teaches 2nd grade, so the students are still in training, but they do a great job. There are clear routines for lining up, walking in the hallway, coming in from recess, using the bathroom, and transitioning from one activity to another. The students know what is expected of them and live up to those expectations. If they start to slip a bit, she encourages them and has them practice, praising them all along the way. The classroom runs smoothly and the children are content and engaged.

Behaviorism

   I have most often observed my teacher using the theory of Behaviorism in her class. At the beginning of each day each student receives a ticket. Throughout the day if a negative behavior happens, the student might have a ticket taken away. Tickets can be removed  for any type of behavior that goes against the classroom rules. Most often, the students are reminded first, and the ticket is only taken if they continually break the same rule. She has her rules clearly posted in the class making it very easy for the children to know what is expected of them.

     On Friday afternoon, any remaining tickets the students have are deposited in a bucket for a drawing. The more tickets a child has retained, the more chances they have of winning a prize. So far in my observation, it seems all the children almost always are successful at keeping all their tickets. She brings out a little treasure box full of Dollar Tree and Oriental Trading Co. items similar to what you would find in a dentists office. She spreads them out on the table and when a student's name is drawn, they can come choose their prize. She draws multiple names each Friday. I believe her method is very effective  in that her class is very well behaved. They come to attention quickly, return to attention quickly, and are kind to each other. This leads to an environment very conducive to learning.