Teacher Reinforces High Expectations regarding Student Engagement and Learning

Teacher Reinforces High Expectations Regarding Student Engagement and Learning

Teacher Kim has started the year with a new class. After the first week, Kim sees unwanted behaviours developing in some students as they start to become comfortable with the environment.  

Kim refers to the school-wide matrix of expectations in developing definitions of expected behaviours to complete the classroom rules matrix.

With student input, they consider what they want to hear and see to meet the expectations in each setting or routine. Kim displays the classroom matrix in the classroom and teaches the expectations through the effective teaching steps. 

Kim will regularly check for understanding of the rules and will provide continuous feedback to ensure students’ understanding of the expectations. 

After the first week using the classroom rules matrix, Kim sees a big improvement in behaviour and students are engaged in their learning. She provides praise when the students are applying the rules, which further reinforces the expected behaviour. She will continue to reflect on the classroom rules throughout the year, which will set the stage for learning. During the open-house day, Kim refers to the classroom matrix and celebrates the class’ behaviour improvement since the beginning of the year. Kim asks the parents if they have noticed improvements and encourages them to continue developing rules at home as well.