How to Use Positive Words in the Classroom
An unruly classroom filled with loud and disruptive students can be difficult for even experienced teachers to manage. Taking the effort to show interest in a student's desires, behavior, and classwork can encourage better behavior and grades. Speaking harshly or negatively can make a student fearful and even resentful of a teacher. Set an example for students by focusing on ways to improve instead of lingering on ways in which a student falls short.
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Instructions
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Positive Words with Middle and High School Students
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React to student behavior only after carefully considering what you will say. A teacher who reacts on impulse may find that bad behavior simply worsens. Instead of threatening to send a student to the office, offer the student a choice in his discipline. For example, you could say, "You may stay here in the classroom if you work quietly, or you may go to the office if you choose to be disruptive." Offering a choice will likely work better than threats.
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Find ways to compliment each of your students each day and choose to compliment specific behaviors. Avoid generic compliments like, "You are a helpful student." Instead, a teacher might say, "You were helpful when you passed out calculators this afternoon."
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Criticize in private whenever possible. Act in a supportive and positive way when you do have to criticize. Give specific criticisms, but focus on what can be improved instead of focusing on how "wrong" or "bad" the student's behavior or effort has been. Pull a disruptive student aside and say, "You were shouting, and that is bothering the other students. Please be quiet so that everybody can do their work."
Positive Words and Elementary School Students
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Show students the behaviors that are expected of them and remind them of classroom rules frequently. You may teach the class that in order to get your attention they should raise their hands. Use students in the class to demonstrate the kinds of behavior that are expected.
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Give direct feedback on student behavior as soon as it occurs. "Mary, thank you for being quiet while everyone finishes the test," shows gratitude for the student's behavior. For students who are behaving poorly, inform them of the damage that their behavior is causing. Saying, "John, the shouting is making it difficult for students to do their work," can remind students about expected behavior.
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Develop study groups where students take turns being the "teacher" and the "student." According to the Institute of Education Sciences, students who teach and learn from one another in this way show improved cooperation, as well as improved positive social interaction.
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Reconsider reprimanding poor behavior. Instead, ask the student what she hopes to accomplish by doing the behavior. If the student is growing impatient while waiting to play with a toy, gently offer alternative ways for her to be satisfied. You might suggest other toys she can play with, or encourage her to play together with another student.
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Tips & Warnings
Even when students perform poorly on something, find something to compliment or encourage.
References
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