Teacher Reteaches Rules and Routines and Uses Praise to Reinforce

Teacher Reteaches Rules and Routines and Uses Praise to Reinforce

Mia, the teacher, has already explicitly taught the rules and routines to her class. Last week, Mia noticed a pattern of undesired behaviour during the line up routine at the end of a lesson. Mia plans to reteach this routine in the following week.

On Monday, before the first line up transition occurs, Mia reviews the three steps to lining up when the lesson is completed. She describes each step and models it for the class. Mia uses the school-wide values language as she explicitly teaches each step, saying things like ‘We are responsible by pushing in our chairs to make space for other students as they line up. We are respectfully quiet with our hands at our sides.’

Mia also talks about why it is needed. She shares examples and non-examples.

Mia allows her students to ‘practice’ lining up and provides them specific, positive praise as each of them completes the routine successfully. Throughout the day, Mia takes the opportunity to positively reinforce the values, routines and rules during other line up times. When Mia sees her student, Jack, walking slowly and calmly to the line spot, she takes the opportunity to embed and reinforce the rule by complimenting him, ‘Thank you, Jack, for showing responsibility by using your walking feet in the classroom. I appreciate your effort to follow our class rules and keep our space safe and respectful’.