Get A Handle on Behavior

I found this article, Get A Handle on Behavior, that I wanted to share with the class since we are doing our lesson plans and I feel that these are good tips that can help us while dealing with the classroom behaviors.
Patience
The first step to deal effectively with inappropriate behavior is to show patience. This often means you'll need to take a cooling period before you say or do something you just might regret.

Be Democratic
Children need choice. When you're ready to give a consequence, allow for some choice. The choice could have to do with the actual consequence, the time when the consequence will occur or input as to what follow up should and will occur.

Understand The Purpose
Why is the child/student misbehaving? There is always a purpose. Do you know what the purpose is? Getting attention? Power? Revenge? Feelings of failure? There is always a cause for a student to misbehave.

Avoid Power Struggles
In a power struggle, nobody wins. Even if you do feel like you've won, you haven't because the chance of reoccurrence is great. I honestly believe that the students’ attitudes in the classroom depend in the teacher’s behavior in the classroom. A child's behavior is most often influence by your behavior, remember this. If you are hostel or mad when dealing - they too will be.

Do the Opposite of What They Expect
When a child/student misbehaves, they often anticipate your response. Do the unexpected. For instance, when you see children playing with matches or playing in an area that is outside of the boundaries, they expect you to say "Stop", or "Get back inside the boundaries now!" However, try saying something like "You kids look too smart to be playing there" (or playing with matches). You'll quite surprise them.

Find Something Positive
For students or children who regularly misbehave, it can be very difficult to find something positive to say. Work at this, the more they receive attention for the positive things, the less apt they are to look for attention in a negative way.

Don't Be Bossy - This Too is Bad Modeling
Bossiness usually ends up with students seeking revenge. Ask yourself, do you like being bossed around? Chances are that you don't. Neither do children. After all if you employ the strategies suggested here, you'll find that you won't need to be bossy. Always express a strong desire and strong interest to have a good relationship with the student/child.

Sense of Belonging
When students or children don't feel that they belong, the result is usually the display of unacceptable behavior. Make sure the student has a strong sense of belonging. Praise the child's efforts to get along or work with others. Praise attempts to follow rules and adhere to routines.

Up, Down Then Up Again
When you're about to reprimand or punish a child. Bring them up first "Lately you've done so well, I've been so impressed with your behavior'. "Why today did you need to be involved with a 'hands on'". (Deal with the issue). Then end on "I know it won't happen again because you've been so good up until this moment. I have great faith in you." You may use different approaches but always remember: Bring them up, take them down, bring them up!

Students want teachers that:
· Respect them
· Care about them
· Listen to them
· Don't yell or shout
· Have a sense of humor
· Are in a good moods
· Let students give their opinions and their side/opinion

http://specialed.about.com/od/behavioremotional/p/handlebehav.htm