Create a behavior checklist to improve classroom management and inspire student success.
Classroom management plays an important role in student success from elementary grade levels to high school. According to the National Education Association, teachers who create a positive and encouraging classroom environment foster good student behavior and inspire learning. A behavior checklist can be a vital tool for teachers, whether implementing classroom rules for the beginning of a new school year or trying to improve negative student behaviors.
Organizational Behavior
Student success strongly correlates with organizational skills like time management, test preparation, taking notes and meeting project deadlines. Students who are messy or unorganized might be distracted from lessons and have difficulty keeping track of homework and other important papers. Teachers can observe each student’s individual organizational behaviors and include this information on a behavior checklist. Pay attention to which students take notes during lectures and consider taking a look at those students’ notes. Write down how often students come prepared to class with a pencil, notebooks and textbook materials.
Peer Behavior
The way students interact with peers in the classroom can have either positive or negative effects on behavior and even the ability to learn. In fact, children need to feel a sense of comfort and belonging with peers before they can achieve academic success, reports educational research company WestEd. Teachers can improve students’ social skills by recording peer behaviors on the checklist. Take note of students who tease or speak rudely to other students, which disrupts the classroom and upsets the concept of teamwork and community. Also write down positive interactions between students when they try to help each other with difficult concepts and solve problems together.
Independent Behavior
Measure individual behaviors on the checklist to ensure that students have the independence to take control of their own learning in the classroom. According to Honolulu Community College, teachers should allow students to be themselves and act naturally as long as these behaviors don’t disrupt the class. Record which students can independently take notes during lectures, actively participate in discussions, follow directions and ask constructive questions without interrupting lessons. Observe and take note of the times when students are too talkative or argumentative as well.
Academic Behavior
Teachers should consider students’ academic behavior patterns as the final aspect of a behavior checklist. Academic behavior refers to the way students act during tests and the attitude they exhibit towards homework, projects and grades in general. On the checklist, note when students have difficulty completing assignments on time, avoid extra credit opportunities and fail to produce neat and legible work. Studying academic behaviors can help you inspire every student to show a genuine interest in the material and in turn care about individual success.
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