Managing Behaviours in the Learning Environment

1a) Explain how a learning support practitioner may contribute to the planning, delivery and review of learning activities

Findings from a recent Ofsted report have shown that low-level disruption in the classroom is causing pupils to potentially lose up to one hour of learning each day, and that this may have a detrimental impact on their life chances (Ofsted, 2014). Difficulties managing behavior is a commonly reported source of stress and burnout among teachers, and is resulting in a substantial number leaving the profession within 5 years (Ford et al, 2012). Disruptive behaviour is not only stressful for teachers, but it can be unsettling for pupils, can hinder pupils enjoyment of school and can prevent pupils from fulfilling their potential (Gorard, 2010). Although there has never been a time when all pupils behaved well, all of the time (Viser, 2005), it is important that teachers have a good understanding of the challenges they may face in the classroom, and are equipped with effective strategies to help them manage classroom behaviour. After all, effective behaviour management and discipline in schools is a crucial to ensuring academic success and a positive and safe learning environment (Luisellia et al, 2005).

2.3 explain the importance of identifying patterns of behaviour or triggers to challenging behaviour when establishing proactive and reactive strategies to be used

2.5) Explain how own practice in planning inclusive teaching and learning has taken account of theories, principles and models of learning, communication and assessment

4. How does your view of behavior affect how you might address this consulting assignment?

Explain how to establish and maintain a safe and supportive learning environment 7.3.1. Explain how to establish ground rules with learner’s to promote respect for each other. 9.3.2. Explain how to promote appropriate behaviour and respect for others. 7.3.2.

It is important for a teacher to challenge disruptive behaviour immediately and consistently. I feel by trying to make lessons enjoyable and providing work that helps students to achieve minimizes disruptive behaviour. The use of good communication by the teacher can also be a useful tool. This includes the use of the voice, phrasing, eye contact and body language. For example, using an assertive tone when making a request or physically positioning yourself near disruptive students.

Produce information about promoting positive behaviour for parents, children and young people within the school setting, the information must show that you can:

Assignment 1: Describe how a learning support practitioner may contribute to the planning, delivery and review of learning. What learning support strategies have you used or could you use to meet the needs of your learners?

Behaviour for learning refers to the pressure on schools to constantly attempt to raise attainments (Department for Children, Schools and Families 2009). This has come about because of schools trying to raise standards for their students that can be identified in the teaching standards which promotes the raising of standard for students. Adams (2009) says 97 percent of new qualified teachers believe managing student behaviour is one of the most important issues for them in the teaching field. Behaviour cannot be separated from learning as they are intrinsically linked together (Ellis and Tod, 2009). Behaviour for learning therefore becomes one of the most important issue for newly qualified teachers and trainee teachers. This reflective writing will look at how the trainee teacher will building relationships in the classrooms as a means of promoting behaviour for learning.

As it can be seen behaviorism is a major part of any classroom. For if one student acts out then the rest might get the idea that they can also act out in class and not receive punishment for it. It is also good to have a classroom management in place. Classroom management is also called behavior management. As it states in A Beginning Teaching Portfolio Handbook, “For these teachers, motivated students are those who do what they are told to do when they are told to do it.” (Foster,Walker,Song, pg. 99, para. 9) Which means when a

Teachers are not only expected to teach their students, but also provide an environment where everyone feels safe and can learn. Classroom management is a very important part of teaching. Students cannot learn in an unsafe, disruptive environment. This paper will discuss the strategy of SHAPING, how it is used to modify a student’s behavior, and give an example of how to modify a student’s behavior. This paper will also discuss my personal beliefs about classroom management, share rules and expectations for the classroom, rewards for individuals and the class, designing the classroom where the teacher is visible and there are no distractions, and discuss some classroom procedures and how they contribute to classroom management

It is a fact that classroom management and discipline has always been a challenge to pre-service teachers as they do not know and have not acquired the necessary skills to deal with unruly learners effectively. Often so, teachers in service use strategies that are incorrect or rather unacceptable; whether this is done intentionally or under certain desperation to gain control and respect of the learners. It is prevalent across the globe. Although the South African system has used corporal punishment for many years to maintain discipline and management in the classroom; there have always been other alternative ways which are effective and better as opposed to the harsh way of discipline. The Constitution of South Africa specifically banned the use of this harsh treatment because of the awareness that children are vulnerable and defenceless; therefore they are the ones who are at risk of being victims of crime, beatings and psychological trauma that are an ultimate result of being bullied by adults. My claim is that strategies used to maintain classrooms in public schools are not acceptable if they cause a negative effect to the development of our children. And I will argue that there are other alternatives that could be used to make sure that the classes run smooth and without causing any intimidation to either the learners or teachers in this industry, as the South African Journal of Education mentions that

During my inquiry, I considered theories when planning, taking action, reflecting, evaluating and finally documenting. Sometimes we can feel pressure to handle disruptive behaviours immediately. Taking the time to understand the behaviour and to consider various options often results in a more constructive resolution. After an event is past, taking the time to evaluate the effectiveness of our response can help to improve our reaction in the next situation (Kuhlenschmidt & Layne, 1999). During my inquiry, I made questions about student behaviour and made assumptions. As an example student behaviour during Friday, last period was really disruptive. I assumed, that may be their energy supply is low or excitement about the weekend (mood). Discussion with teachers proved me this was a very common experience. Research showed that It’s natural for student attention levels to vary according to motivation, mood, perceived relevance of the material, and other factors (Briggs, 2014). Based on my understandings, knowledge, readings and other experts’ ideas, I developed an action plan for behaviour management in year 8

‘The poor behaviour of some children affects not only their learning but also the learning of others.’ (Adams 2009, page 4) This suggests that poorly managed behaviour in the classroom can have a detrimental effect on learning overall, as well as individually. This assignment will analyse how behaviour and learning are inextricably linked. This assignment will also emphasise how primary classroom teachers develop behaviour management strategies in order to promote an effective and positive learning environment.