From Good to Great! Three High-Leverage Techniques to

Transform your Classroom

Mario Gonzalez III,

Maria “Koko” Varela

Tracey McAllister

District Instructional Leadership Coaches

Do Now:

Adjective What you Hope to gain from this

session

Hook:

Choose a picture and go to the area that describes the way you feel when you think about classroom management.

• Be respectful to others and their perspectives at all times.

• Come prepared to engage.

• Actively reach out to others, collaborate, and

get to know your colleagues.

Norms and Commitments

Objective:

By the end of the session participants will:

1. Master three techniques effective teachers use to build a strong, vibrant classroom culture and maintain high behavioral expectations.

2. Practice, and reflect on how to implement these techniques.

McRel Element 1a. Teachers lead in the classroomTeachers establish a safe, orderly environment, and they create a culture that empowers students to collaborate and become lifelong learners.

McRel Element 2a. Teachers provide an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults. Teachers encourage an environment that is inviting, respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible.

Why do Students Misbehave?

Many times discipline problems are attempts by students to meet a need, either consciously or unconsciously.

It’s personal…not

Students engage in behaviors to get needs met.

Types of Needs

Avoiding Failure

Uninformed

Control-Seeking

Attention-Seeking

Angry

Energetic Bored

Incompetence

Defiance

Opportunistic

Misbehavior Categories

Students don’t come preprogrammed with high behavioral expectations. ---So we teach them

1. Explain what each technique is and why it is important to the class.

2. Model how to implement strategy.

3. Allow students to practice.

and practice.

Technique # 1

Create Your Threshold by maintaining the pace, establishing clear expectations, and

greeting students to build rapport.

Key Principles of Threshold

• See Both Sides • Control the Flow • Build Civility• Reset Expectations• Positive Chatter

Entering the Room: Entry Routines

• Enter classroom silently.

• Pick up journal and handouts.

• Sit in your assigned seat.

• Begin daily bell work “Do Now” assignment.

• Be ready to engage in lesson.

Threshold:

Mayra Salinas: PSJA High

How does Ms. Salinas’s Threshold set the tone for her class?

Practice your Threshold

• You will use “Good Morning” as your standard greeting to

practice Threshold.

• The captain is the teacher; the others will be the students.

• Practice Key principles: See Both SidesControl the FlowBuild CivilityReset ExpectationsPositive Chatter

Key Principles of Threshold

• See Both Sides • Control the Flow • Build Civility• Reset Expectations• Positive Chatter

• Manage the “After”:

The “Entry Routine” (i.e., what students do after they enter your

room) is as important as the Threshold itself.

Manage the “After”:

How does Ms. Sanchez’s entry routine help her students ready themselves for instruction?

Jennifer Sanchez: YMS

Threshold – Dismissal

• Wait until teacher dismisses students; not the bell.

• Teacher will dismiss students by rows.

• “Quietest, cleanest rows will leave first,” as your standard Threshold dismissal.

• Remain is seat until all materials and area is cleaned up

• Clean up area prior to the bell.

Technique #2

Tracking

• Be intentional about how you scan your classroom.

• Decide specifically what you’re looking for

• Remain disciplined about it in the face of distractions.

Tracking, Not Watching

Tracking:

Expecting students to focus on the speaker with their eyes forcesthem to actively listen and be engaged as a learner.

Sarah Bravo: Memorial

Why is it important to for our students to practice Tracking? What is one way it will

benefits teachers in the classroom?

Tracking Practice:

• Captain is teacher:

• “Everyone Track me in 3-2-1; track me!”

• “That was good, but I want great. Let’s do it again.

• Everyone Track me in 3-2-1; track me! Great…”

Technique #3

100%

Techniques need to be implemented100% correctly

by 100% of students100% of the time

Getting 100% depends on three key principles:

• Emphasize Compliance You Can See • Use the Least Invasive Form of Intervention

• Rely on Firm, Calm, and Finesse

100%

Build Radar Increase your chances of seeing behaviors

Be Seen Looking

Draw students’ attention to the fact that you are looking

Visible Compliance

Marginal Compliance

Observable behaviors

Students are always asking if we will accept the bare minimum

100%- Building Radar/ Be Seen Looking Aerobics

Invisible Column The Swivel

The PoliticianThe Sprinkler

The Tiptoe

100% - Compliance You Can See

Mrs. Salinas Pacheco: AMSJonathan Rodriguez: Memorial

How do Mrs. Pacheco and Mr. Rodriguez use 100%? How does this technique

contribute to their classroom culture?

100%- Practice

Starting with your table captain, take turns playing the role of the teacher at your group.

• Teacher will say, “Let me have 100%, in 3-2-1.”

• Teacher raises hand. Students raise hand.

• Check for 100%.

• Person to the right is next.

• Next person repeat.

Objective:

By the end of the session participants will:

1. Master three techniques effective teachers use to build a strong, vibrant classroom culture and maintain high behavioral expectations.

2. Practice, and reflect on how to implement these techniques.

Reflection Exit:

Bottom Line:

Early implementation of behavioral techniques sets the stage for high

academic expectations in the classroom.