Teach English in FujiAqiao Zhen - Yongzhou Shi

1. Positive Reinforcement in the classroom There are many ways to manage a classroom but positive reinforcement is by far the most effective strategy. Believing in a student is a powerful thing. Many times in countries where English is not the native language it is difficult to get to know the family environment of the students we teach. Each child is unique. Each child is special. Each child needs to be believed in. They have the potential to listen, to learn and to behave. Here are some helpful ideas on positive reinforcement: A. High fives B. Big Smiles C. Words of affirmation D. Clip charts where the name of the student can have their clip moved up when they do something really well. E. Always be on the look out for the good things the student does. F. Sticker charts are great to reward students for good behavior or doing something unique. G. Prizes for a finished sticker chart. H. Prizes that the students really are motivated to win. I. Movie reward. J. Dance party reward. 2. Negative Reinforcement in the classroom Though negative reinforcement isn’t the first option, many times it does have to be used. It can still be used with love, kindness and inspiration though. The main thing is to not take a students bad behavior as personal. Look at loving this child unconditionally and sometimes when we really care about our students we have to use negative re-enforcement. Clip charts can be really effective with negative as well as positive reinforcement. Accompanied by sticker charts and prizes a difficult student can be motivated to have a better behavior in the classroom. If a child is not motivated easily by stickers and prizes, then here are some other ideas for negative reinforcement in the class. A. Clip down on the charts, keeping a keen eye on good behavior though to not discourage students. We believe that they can do well! B. Time-out’s for a short period, this sometimes works with students and sometimes the students like the attention. I would suggest 1 minute time out for the age of the student. So if the child is 4 years old, a 4 minute time out might work. C. Taking away something they really like. If it isn’t stickers for a prize it could be ipad time, playground time, talking etc. This shouldn’t be overused and this also requires the teacher to get to know their students more. When their time is used, make sure to not treat the student badly. It is important to really show how much you care for the student but there are consequences for this behavior as well. D. Expressing forgiveness and belief in the student each time negative re-enforcement is needed. For example, with a student who is kicking or hurting another student, you can say something like this: “Alan, remember we have two rules you need to follow: 1. Use kind words and actions and 2. Keep hands and feet to yourself”. I need to move your clip down, and if you do it again I have to take away a sticker. I am doing this because I believe you can learn from this and next time use kind words and actions. I care about you and want to see you succeed in life.” 3. Always believe in the student Believing in a student is a very powerful thing. They might have low self-confidence, they might be told other things. When someone can believe in you, you can change the world. Positive Re-enforcement is always the first choice but sometimes negative re-enforcement is needed and can be used in a very effective way. Even with the worse student, taking the time to get to know them, speaking truth into them and loving them unconditionally can have a tremendous outcome. Transformation can occur if you purposefully believe in a student and act out that belief everyday.