Classroom Management Theories

Study Notes

Classroom Management Theories

Foundational theorists include Skinner (Behavior Modification), Redl & Wattenberg (Group Dynamics), Glasser (Choice Theory), Gordon (Discipline as Self-Control), and Ginott (Congruent Communication Theory).
Behavioral approaches emphasize structured techniques like Canter & Canter's Assertive Discipline and The Good Behavior Game to foster discipline.
Self-regulating approaches, such as Coloroso's Inner Discipline, focus on students monitoring their behavior.
Supportive approaches include Dreikurs's Democratic Teaching, Nelsen's Positive Discipline, and Curwin & Mendler's Discipline with Dignity.

Foundations for Classroom Management

Classroom rules should be observable, measurable, positively stated, and specific; limit to 3-5 rules.
Expectations serve as goals for students to strive towards, while procedures outline steps for specific activities.
Implement routines through pre-correction, non-examples, and practice, anticipating student errors.

Theories of Assertive Discipline

Canter & Canter advocate for balancing positive reinforcement with reasonable consequences to promote proper student behavior.
Emphasize consistency in establishing and communicating class rules and expectations at lesson starts.
Three response styles are identified: Assertive, Nonassertive, and Hostile, with assertive being the most effective.

Theories of Democratic Teaching

Dreikurs highlighted understanding students' backgrounds to recognize mistaken goals of misbehavior: attention-seeking, power-seeking, revenge, and feelings of inadequacy.
Teachers should act democratically, use logical rather than punitive consequences, and differentiate between praise and encouragement.

Theories of Discipline with Dignity

Curwin & Mendler emphasize dignifying students and fostering a safe classroom environment.
Encourage long-term behavior change, fairness, sensible rule-making, modeling expectations, and valuing responsibility over mere obedience.

Theories of Inner Discipline

Coloroso discusses three teacher archetypes: Backbone (supportive), Brickwall (controlling), and Jellyfish (inconsistent).
The REP-R framework summarizes essential components: Rules, Expectations, Procedures, and Routines.

Theories of Consistency Management and Judicious Discipline

Gathercoal stresses protecting students' constitutional rights while fostering a responsible climate.
Introduces a front-loading framework to teach behavior expectations, emphasizing property respect, educational purpose, and safety.

Strategies for Improving Classroom Management

Routine strategies include pre-correction, modeling expected behavior, and positive reinforcement.
For disruptive behavior, techniques such as teacher proximity, planned ignoring, and using visual cues can be effective.
Engage students in learning goals with tools like KWL charts and response sticks to track their needs.

Targeted Behaviors and Modifications for Students with Disabilities

Identify target behaviors and implement a corrective plan based on the functions behind misbehavior: Power, Attention, Inadequacy, Revenge, and Escape/Avoidance.
Understand the Acting Out Cycle, stages include Calm, Trigger, Agitation, Acceleration, Peak, De-escalation, and Recovery, noting learning occurs during Calm and Recovery phases.

Creating a Positive and Safe Classroom Environment

Student motivation is a product of Expectation x Value x Climate; establishing relationships and a welcoming climate is crucial.
Be mindful of individual factors influencing behavior, including personal biases, home life, and cultural differences.

Understanding Teacher Attitudes and Their Effects on Student Behaviors

Teacher biases manifest in preferential treatment, calling patterns, and differential expectations or punishments for students.

Strategies for Crisis Prevention and Intervention

Proactively develop strategies to manage and prevent crises effectively within the classroom environment.

Description

Explore the foundational theories of classroom management in this quiz. Understand key approaches such as behavior modification, group dynamics, and democratic teaching. Learn about the structured techniques and self-regulating methods that promote a positive learning environment.