1 Easy Community Building & Behavior Management Classroom Strategy

Monday, May 20, 2019 - 1 comment

Community building can be so hard because it takes time. It doesn't happen overnight, but you can build relationships with students slowly day-by-day with little (and very intentional) steps, while focusing on positive behavior management strategies for the classroom.

And sticky notes can help you!

My super easy classroom management tip

I keep a pad of sticky notes easily accessible, so I can write a positive note to students in the moment and stick it on their desk while they're working.

I'm talking about that moment when the class clown finally settles down and gets to work.

I write a happy note, and quietly stick it on a student's desk when I walk by as I'm answering questions or just generally monitoring how things are going while students work independently.

Why this works

1️⃣ Everyone likes feeling seen and appreciated!

It's a nice way to let students know that you see them working hard, you appreciate them, and to encourage their positive behavior.

Especially the students who do not always display positive behavior in your class and seek out any attention - including negative attention.

2️⃣ Thinking about a student that doesn't always display postive behavior in your class... file this idea under "classroom management strategies for difficult students".

Because that kid that calls out and acts out wants attention. This strategy is giving them that attention when they are displaying *positive* behavior.

You might start to see more of that positive behavior. 😃

3️⃣ This is one of my favorite behavior management ideas because it's quick, it's easy, and it's straight from the heart in the moment.

File this idea under long-term classroom management tips. Writing a nice note to a student and putting it on their desk one time won't magically build a relationship with that student (especially if they don't value learning Spanish), but it's a small step in the right direction.

Writing a short note that is genuine (students know when you're being fake from a mile away) can let them know you see when they're doing great work.

Keep in mind...

Evvvvvvvvveryone in class will notice you put a note on a student's desk.

They will allllll want to know what it says, why they didn't get one, and what they need to do to get a special note from their favorite Spanish teacher.

Maybe strive to write 2 notes to students in every class period twice a week to work toward building community. See how it improves your relationships with students, especially if you give a positive note to a difficult student. It's the little things that can build great relationships with students over time!