To ensure a safe, positive environment that promotes learning for third graders, teachers and parents need to employ certain behavioral guidelines to a classroom and at home. These behavior guidelines should help your third graders accept responsibility for their actions, have an optimistic attitude during class and learning, follow directions correctly and make smart choices.

Rules

To help third graders behave well at school, tell them what is expected of them through class discussions and posting an unwavering set of rules for the classroom. Third grade rules should include, respect (respect of others and school and personal property); listening carefully; following directions; using appropriate voice (inside voice, library voice, recess voice); and working and playing in a safe manner. These same types of rules can also be employed by parents at home.

Consequences

When a third grader breaks a rule, he should know the consequences of that action. In the classroom, consequences can be loss of recess, a time out, the loss of a privilege such as choosing a game to play, or an apology. Consequences should be logical to allow the child to learn through personal experience. When the child does not do his homework, allow him to fail the assignment and suffer the teacher's consequences. At home, if a child refuses to eat breakfast, let him become hungry. However, this form of behavioral guidance should not be used in dangerous situations. If the child plays with matches, the parent or teacher should not let him burn himself.

Behavioral Chart

A behavioral chart chronicles children's behavioral improvement by placing stickers or stars next to their names for good behavior. These charts give children incentives (stickers) to behave well while being able to visually watch their progress. This visual reinforcement of good behavior can be more empowering than verbal praise. Teachers can also show these charts to parents to let them know how their child is performing in the classroom. Parents can use behavioral charts to fix behavior problems at home as well. Every time your child remembers to clean his room without having to be told, he gets a star. However, if the parents don't see any behavioral improvement after a week of employing the chart, this form of behavior modification probably will not work with the child.

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