Proactive and Reactive Classroom Methods that Work

Proactive Methods •  Begin with the End

•  Offer Help

•  Never Apologize

•  Model Note-taking

•  Say What You Mean

•  Check Everyone

Reactive Methods •  Require Participation

•  Be Calm and Collected

PROACTIVE METHODS

� Limit unnecessary classroom interruptions �  Limit “downtime” in the classroom

�  Avoids escalation of behaviors that distract from the lesson

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BEGIN WITH THE END

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The ob jec t ive te l l s you the goa l .

The key po ints are what you need to know or do to reach

the ob jec t ive .

The ex i t t i cket i s how you tes t what key po ints are

mastered.

The gu ided notes are how students learn the

re la t ionsh ip between the key po ints .

The guided practice are how you practice using the key

points together.

The independent practice is how you give students an

opportunity for feedback before they are graded on their

mastery.

OFFER HELP Teacher: What is the definition of a nocturnal animal? Student: I don’t know. Teacher: So, we know that nocturnal means…? Student: I don’t know. Teacher: Let’s back up. Nocturnal refers to a time of the day. Owls, bats, and possums are nocturnal while dogs, birds, and horses are not nocturnal. What time of day does nocturnal refer to? Student: I don’t know. Teacher: Call a friend. (other students raise hands.) Student: Sam. Sam: Nocturnal refers to the night. Teacher: Correct. So what does nocturnal refer to? Student: Nocturnal means night. Teacher: Good. What is the definition of a nocturnal animal? Student: A nocturnal animal is an animal that stays awake at night.

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NEVER APOLOGIZE

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MODEL NOTE-TAKING

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VS.

MODEL NOTE-TAKING

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�  If students are busy writing, then students don’t have time to misbehave.

Notes should be incomplete, not blank.

VS.

SAY WHAT YOU MEAN

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CHECK EVERYONE

� “Question, (pause), Name?”

� Ask a variety of questions about the same topic �  Higher level question than the answer you just got

�  Explain why

�  Examples or non-examples

�  Definitions

�  Evidence from the text

�  Their opinion (of someone else’s answer)

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REACTIVE METHODS

� responding to unexpected events in the classroom with the goal of returning the classroom to the positive learning environment. 

� occurs after the unexpected event has occurred. 

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REQUIRE PARTICIPATION �  Nonverbal intervention

�  Positive group intervention

�  Anonymous individual correction

�  Private individual correction

�  Lightning quick public correction

Always follow verbal interventions with a shout-out.

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BE CALM AND COLLECTED

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� Act EARLY. 

� Act RELIABLY. 

� Act PROPORTIONATELY. 

� Act RESPECTABLY.