Behavior Management Strategies - Small Group Systems

{Empowering students to take responsibility for their behavioral choices and fostering independence in the classroom are two effective management techniques that help reduce behavioral interruptions and maximize your instruction/small group time!

While clear, concise expectations and consistent classroom procedures are important to reaching these goals, many educators also employ a behavior management system.

Here's a look at several common behavior management systems...}

Small Group Systems

Instead of individual behavior management systems, many teachers choose to recognize positive behavior in a more collective way by using a small group approach. Most classroom formats provide an opportunity for dividing students into groups - by table, by center, etc. With this approach, each group works together toward a common goal or prize and, during the course of the day, the behavior of each group as a whole is observed and recorded. There are various ways to structure this system...

Cara over at The First Grade Paradeuses a "BRAVO board"! She observes each table for positive choices, awarding them a tally for each one. If a table can collect 15 "bravo points" by the end of the day on Thursday, they get a special prize on Friday! She does this each week to encourage her kiddos to work together and try their best.

In Stephanie's second grade classroom, groups that demonstrate exceptional behavior and work ethic earn "brownie points" and, once they've filled their pan, get a special treat! You can find out more at her blog - Keeping up with the Joneses.

Like the "Race To Rewards" system pictured above, Stephanie's system presumes that students' will be on their best behavior each every day and looks out for groups/students that go above and beyond what is expected of them, whereas Cara's system recognizes each groups' daily successes; large and small. There are different philosophies behind each variation and, as with any behavior management system, you'll have to be the judge of what will work best in your classroom!