The Four Steps (K - Grade 2)The Four Steps is an intervention strategy to resolve conflict between students by having them engage in a reflective process. It is appropriate for children ages 5 to 8 years of age. However, children who struggle to read will have to read the steps with the assistance of an adult.
Each step is imperative in the reflection process. The first step allows the child to clearly identify the inappropriate behaviour in their own words. Next, the student must confront precisely why the behaviour is inappropriate; the student must be pushed beyond the rationale of "because the teacher says so". In the third step, the student reflects on how they might handle a similar situation in the future. This step is particularly crucial as this intervention strategy is only successful if teacher can "direct the student to choose a more appropriate behaviour." (Singh, 2000, p. 222) This direction of future behaviour is key to avoiding relapses in classroom decorum. In the final step, the student has the opportunity to make amends for their actions through apology or other constructive gestures (the teacher will likely need to scaffold to help the student come up with ideas). For students that can produce a basic text, these steps serve as excellent writing prompts for a journal following a conflict. Their writing serves as evidence should any future conflicts arise. For students who cannot produce a text (especially in kindergarten), the teacher must take the student though the steps orally and document the responses so as to keep a record. This record keeping is especially important for Step 3 as the teacher will want to check if the student is successful in applying the strategy for future conflicts. Singh, A. (2000.) Classroom management: a reflective perspective. Retrieved from http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~asingh/Classroom%20Management%20A%20Reflective%20Perspective.pdf Wright, R. (2015.) From-student-to-teacher. Retrieved from http://from-student-to-teacher.tumblr.com/post/125869285114/httpswwwpinterestcompin187180928240113090 Break Card (K - Grade 2)The Break Card is a proactive intervention strategy. In other words, it seeks to address a reoccuring behaviour issue before it can happen. It is used for students that need breaks during class to retain focus. The featured Break Card is great for 5-8 year olds though it can be adapted to suit older students.
A proactive intervention strategy is imperative for a well functioning classroom. Indeed, Auger and Rich (n.d.) emphasize the importance of proactive classroom management techniques in order to avoid engaging in a reactive, emotionally charged and unproductive, manner. The Break Card is good for students who get restless and choose to express their restlessness through outbursts in class that may distract their peers. The card facilities reflection for the student by having them gauge how they are feeling to justify the use of a Break Card. For instance, they may choose to use it because they are angry, tired or simply bored. This can be useful for the teacher as it allows an opportunity to check how the student feels in the flow of the class and be proactive in how the lesson proceeds so as to keep the attention of students who suffer from any form of attention deficit. Students who can write can fill in the blank space themselves while students who struggle with writing can fill out the blank with the assistance of the teacher. This particular version of the Break Card indicates specific options for the use of the student's break. Another option is to have the student take a walk in the hall with the supervision of a class monitor or other supervisor. The break card entitles the student to a specific amount of break time. In the case of younger students, two minutes will usually suffice. The student receives a specific number of cards for the day (usually four) and normally not more than one or two per period. Auger & Rich. (n.d.) The teacher's tool kit. In Strategies for teaching (7). Retrieved from [PDF] Kindergarten kids at play. (2013.) Interventions for Defiant Kids in the Classroom. Retrieved from http://kindergartenkidsatplay.blogspot.ca/2013/10/interventions-for-defiant-kids-in.html |
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