How to Use the Traffic Light Colors for Controlling a Classroom
Classroom management is one of the essential fundamentals needed to provide a good learning environment. Teachers must begin their school year with clear-cut classroom management systems. The traffic light system is an excellent method to use with early childhood students because it provides reinforcement, encourages self-awareness and teaches them about a practical item in the real world.
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Things You'll Need
- Poster board
- Basket
- Basic crayola marker pack
- 30 index cards
- Stapler
- Glitter
Instructions
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Traffic Light Behavior Chart
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1
Use magic markers to draw a traffic light on a large poster board. Cut five index cards into six strips each. Write each student's name on a strip. Place the students' names in a basket.
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2
Gather the children together to explain the concept of the traffic light behavior chart.
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3
Explain the concept of traffic lights and how they operate on the street by guiding drivers. Go over what the colors represent for drivers. For example, when the yellow circle brightens, it means for the cars to slow down.
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4
Explain how the traffic light poster will operate in the classroom. If a student's name strip falls under red, it means "I have not followed the class rules." If it falls under yellow, it means "Almost, but I need to try harder." If it falls under green, it means "I am working hard and trying my best."
Traffic Light Controls Classroom Transitions
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5
Create an arrow out of poster board and glitter to use with a traffic light poster. The arrow represents the concept of time.
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Explain to the students that when the arrow lands on a specific color of the traffic light, they should know what to do next.
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Go over each color's meaning. If the arrow is placed on red, it means, "Be quiet, look up and pay attention to the teacher." If the arrow is placed on yellow, it means "Start wrapping up whatever is going on because a transition is about to take place." If the arrow is placed on green, it means "Start working and work diligently until the assigned task is completed."
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Tips & Warnings
Before writing the students' names on index cards, make sure you have spelled their names correctly. If a student's name is misspelled, the student is less likely to pay attention to the system.
Make sure to enforce any punishment or reward that you assign. Your word is the most important thing a teacher has. If you do not carry through, your classroom will lose control.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
