Effective Classroom Management: Strategies to

Create and Capture a Cooperative Classroom

Lynn Kirby (UT Austin)lkirby@austin.utexas.edu

Scott Fray (NAU)Scott.Fray@nau.edu

“Classroom management is the most important factor

governing student learning”

• Harry Wong in “The First Days of School”

What does typical student “behavior management” look

like?

Scenario Student Teacher“As always, the ongoing challenges are along

the lines of disciplinary and other issues related to classroom management.” This one boy in particular is driving me crazy, he won’t do any work and disrupts class every chance he gets. I’m constantly trying to get him to do

some work…

With your table partners write down you first thoughts, what do we do?

What does “Classroom Management” actually mean?

(Write definitions on response sheets)

Fray’s definition based upon years of experience observing real

teachers, handling real problems, with real students, in real

classrooms…“Classroom management is a system of bribes and threats used to manipulate student

behavior.”

Student responses to scenario?

Common responses• Call the parents• Send to principal’s office• Tell him you will give him a zero• Make him come in during lunch• Make him sit by himself during class• Offer 10 minutes of recess if he does

his work.• Give him “class cash” (or other

token) used to buy rewards• Suggested rewards (bribes)

“If there is not an inherent attracting power in the material then the teacher will… make a bid or offering a bribe for attention by ‘making the lesson interesting’; or else will resort to… low marks, threats of non-promotion, staying after school… But the attention thus gained… always remains dependent upon something external.”

~ John Dewey 1915

A return to basics…

What do we know about how students learn?

What is “inquiry-based instruction”?

Why do we advocate teaching through inquiry? What are the

benefits?

We believe students learn about the world they live in through experience

and reflection…

But, we expect them to learn to manage their own behavior by telling them what

to do…

Problem???

If we want to inspire our students to do their best, what does research demonstrate is most beneficial for

human motivation?

Most harmful?

Business/Management…

• Merit pay doesn’t work.• “Compensation systems often act as

barriers to achieving productivity, quality, and intrinsic motivation…”

~ Frederick Herzberg• “Money is not a motivator.”

~ W. Edwards Deming• Changing the way workers are treated may

boost productivity more than changing the way they are paid.”

~Alan S. Blinder (Paying for Productivity: A Look

At the Evidence)

Economics Research

While it works (up to a point) for menial tasks, the more you pay

someone the poorer performance you get for cognitive tasks.

“Larger rewards inhibit creativity.”

That sounds like it might be important for educators

CriminologyHarsher punishments:• Three strikes• Death Penalty• Minimum sentencing

The United States has the most prisoners of any developed country in

the world in raw numbers and as a percentage of the population.

Public opinions on Education?“We need to crack down on

discipline…”

Haven’t we?• Zero tolerance laws

– Kindergartener expelled for kiss on the cheek– Student expelled for pretending a pencil was a gun– Maryland 7-year-old suspended for chewing his Pop-

Tart into the shape of a gun (2013)– Michigan senior expelled in October for forgetting the

pocketknife in her purse. – Seven teenagers arrested and charged with

“disorderly conduct” for an end-of-the-year water balloon fight (2013)

• School to prison pipeline

Other interesting facts about changing human

behavior…Recidivism: 68 percent of prisoners released were arrested for a new crime within three years of release, and 77 percent were arrested within five years.Least effective at reducing recidivism?

Intensive supervision: surveillance-oriented programs “We’re watching you!” (0% success)

Most effective?Intensive supervision: treatment-oriented programs focus on helping the person.

How about juveniles?

As an alternative to Juvenile hall: • Caseworkers focused on improving

juveniles’ skills, including relationships, school issues, employment, and free-time.

• Led to a 10% reduction in juvenile recidivism.

• The threat of punishment (going back to Juvi) leads to a higher rate of getting into trouble than talking with them.

Drug addiction

What causes heroin addiction?• Studies on rats in cages demonstrated

they choose heroin water over regular water.

• Bruce Alexander rat park.• Negative behaviors are the result of the

environment. • We are punishing people (students) for

having been abused……if you want to reduce self destructive behaviors, “Change the cage”.

What do you think is the goal of effective classroom

management?

The best classroom management gets

students to

cooperate!

Classroom management strategies

vs.

Classroom management philosophies

This means our Classroom Management Philosophies need

to be intertwined with our Philosophies of Education…

rather than a separate focus on classroom management

strategies.

What does work to motivate people and change behavior?

1.Autonomy2. Mastery3. Purpose

Google: Dan Pink + Motivation

Three Principles to help students develop intrinsic

motivation

1. “I” statements

2. Empowerment Through

Choice

3. Compassionate

Consequences(3 principles handout)

The 5-Point System

• This is only one example of how I used this. Tailor it to make it your own.

• It’s spreading, and has been implemented in multiple classrooms at this point, to much success.

Practicing “I” statements…

• Take out your lab sheets.

• Don’t go to your locker while I’m talking.

• Will you please be quiet!

• Put your name on your paper!

• Turn your work in on time or you’ll get a lower grade.

• Sit down or I’m putting your name on the board!

• I’ll start going over the lab sheet in 30 seconds.

• I allow people to go to their lockers when I’m not giving directions.

• I welcome everyone to stay with us as long as class isn’t being interrupted.

• I grade papers that have students’ names on them.

• I give full credit for work turned in on time.

• I’ll let everyone get started once we are all in our seats.

In conclusion…

Rewards (bribes) and punishments (threats) are detrimental to student

learning and motivation.

Intrinsic motivation comes from autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

“Change the Cage”

Who would like to share their questions & comments?

(and please fill out a feedback form before leaving)

Effective Classroom Management, Part 2:

A Day at the Improv

Lynn Kirby (UT Austin) Scott Fray (NAU)lkirby@austin.utexas.edu Scott.Fray@nau.edu

Role playing

• Each group number off and lets practice using the 3 specific principles we went over for each scenario.

• Determine who plays the teacher, student(s), etc.

• Start at your tables and then we can share some examples in front of the class. – Practice is not “this is what I would do”,

but actually acting it out.

1. “I” statements

2. Empowerment Through

Choice

3. Compassionate

Consequences

Read the final scenario, which is another reflection from a student teacher.

How might developing a principled approach to classroom management help with these types of scenarios?

Who would like to share their questions & comments?

(and please fill out a feedback form before leaving)