How to Make a Student Behavior Classroom Chart for Elementary School

Avoid misconduct with a behavior chart.

All classrooms, especially elementary classes, thrive on consistency and predictable rules and expectations, say Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong, authors of "The First Days of School." One way to ensure good classroom behavior and prevent common misbehaviors is to create a student behavior chart that clearly explains the rules, rewards and consequences of expected conduct. There are many styles of behavior charts, but they all have similar goals.

Things You'll Need

• Poster board
• Index cards
• Ruler
• Markers/crayons
• Stickers
• Treasure chest (optional)

Instructions

1. Make a short list of classroom rules to post next to the chart. Rules should be concise and clear. For very young students, include an illustration of the rules to help with understanding. In the first weeks of school, explain and discuss each expectation. According to The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, teachers with strong classroom management skills spend time "teaching and reinforcing rules and routines." Examples of rules could be: Keep your hands and feet to yourself, raise your hand before speaking and be respectful to yourself and others.

2. Label clearly each level of the behavior chart with a different message and color to provide easy to follow, visual steps. For example, the first level of the chart could be green and clearly marked, "Great Choices!" The second level, possibly colored yellow, could say, "Warning." The third level, a third color, could say, "Time Out." The fourth level could be another time out, time taken from recess or a similar consequence. The final level, possibly labeled red, should be the step where a parent is contacted. The chart could read, "Phone call home."

3. Create name cards for each student in the class to be placed on the "Great Choices!" level each day. Print each child's name clearly. Use Velcro, paperclips or another easily adjustable adhesive to place the name cards on the charts. Students can move their names down the chart during the day, if necessary.

4. Encourage good student behavior. For example, if a student stays on the "Great Choices!" level for the whole day, give them a sticker to place on a reward chart somewhere else in the room. The reward chart should have each student's name printed clearly in front of an empty row where stickers can be placed.

5. Give rewards when students reach a pre-determined number of stickers. Rewards can include a trip to a class treasure chest, extra computer or recess time, or the opportunity to choose a read-aloud for the class.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important to encourage good behavior as well as deter behavior that is a problem. This is why creating a sticker chart is just as critical as the rules chart.

• Behavior charts should be colorful, easily understood and concise.

References

• "The First Days of School"; Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong; 2001
• U.S. Department of Education: Reducing Behavior Problems in the Elementary School Classroom