Happy and Sad Face Behavior Chart
The Behavior Model implemented in our classroom is a Happy
and Sad Face Chart. This model has been thought out, tested, and proved to be a
successful tool to promote safety and learning.
I feel this behavior model has a positive effect on the
class. I have used and observed many other behavior models over my past years
of teaching and feel that this one works for me this year. Initially all of the
children's names start on a happy face. Due to behavior a child may move down
to a sad face. A child has received many "reminders" of what is
expected prior to moving down to a sad face. This is done to be more of a
visual reminder, rather than a negative. The child can ALWAYS move up from a
sad face to a happy face. I feel that having a visual reminder is something
that "some" children need... where as a reminders, or two (prior to
moving to a sad face) work for other children. One of the consequences may be
to have time taken off of their recess...BUT I also make sure that no one ever
loses all of their recess (and usually never more than 5 minutes), since the
student that is more apt to lose recess is typically the student who needs it
the most. And there is usually a serious reason that someone needs to sit out.
While sitting out, I like to make sure I speak with to the child about why they
are sitting out and strategies and ways to make sure they don't have to sit out
again. Sitting out is not intended for the child to just sit there....
I believe that the happy/sad face is beneficial since it
provides a uniform and consistent behavior model for all the students, and
helps them understand what is expected and shows them that there are
consequences, which in turn makes them begin to take responsibility for their
behavior. Without the children taking responsibility for their behavior, would
certainly make it difficult for one teacher to ensure 20+ students are safe and
thriving!
I also have taken into account those students who are having
a harder time with such a model, and have implemented other behavior plans for
students. I'm working with those individual needs and those children have their
own specialized behavior model that seems to be working for them.
I also have other positive behavior plans, such as giving
the students the opportunity to let the group know if someone did something
nice to them or for them, at that point the child can give themselves a pat on
the back. This encourages positive behaviors. We also work together as a group
to earn "cubes". I have a jar that I add cubes to...when we fill the
top we get a special activity. Also, we have weekly class meetings to discuss
the many aspects of the classroom environment. We talk about the things we need
to work on and (most importantly) we discuss the things that are going well!!!
And throughout the day I am continuously giving positive reinforcement for
positive behavior and have other positive behavior plans to build classroom
community and self-esteem.... I have worked toward making sure my classroom is
a positive place, where each individual child feels good about themselves and
where each individual child feels successful :)