Maintaining Positive Classroom Environment
Getting students to use the target language is often a difficult challenge while trying to maintain a positive classroom environment. Seems like every day we teach it becomes more and more of a challenge to get students to use the target language. As teachers, we know that it is of dire importance to use the target language 90% – 100% of the time. But do we expect students to maintain the same communication expectations we ask of ourselves?
The challenge seems to be getting students to use and stay in the language. The trick is to make them want to use the language and make them responsible for monitoring the classroom environment. After all, don’t you have enough to worry about? So you ask me how to make this magic happen? Let me give you a few ideas to maintain a positive classroom environment while getting students to use the target language.
ENGLISH
Here is a great trick I picked up from Angie Torre from Best PowerPoints for Spanish Blog. Write the word E-N-G-L-I-S-H on the board at the start of each class. If you hear students using the English language, erase a letter. Be consistent with this. Once this is explained, you must follow through. No continual warnings. At the end of the class, place a reward token in a jar if there are any letters left on the board. If all letters are left, place a bonus token in the jar to motivate students.
Pro tip: I use a ball canning jar to hold all of my tokens. I use one for each class period. I use glass beads for the tokens.
This system allows students to make mistakes and use their voices but still receive rewards for the overall effort. This will maintain a positive environment. Because most students want a reward or a change-up in the daily routine, they will monitor each other and take the responsibility off of you. Positive peer pressure can be a good thing. If the word English gets erased, remove a bead from the jar.
Reward Systems for Positive Classroom Environment
First, you need to set up a reward system. Decide what you are willing to use as rewards in your classroom. This can be small things, like a piece of candy for everyone to a free choice learning activity. If you look online, you can find a million ideas for rewards and find one that works for you, your class, and your personality. Here are a few examples that I have tried and like.
- Pizza party (local restaurants will often support you in this)
- Sign Language Pencils for everyone
- Sit by a buddy day or choose your own seat
- Movie day (I usually pick a cultural flick)
Here are some ways to use this system
Create a reward jar. You can fill the jar with marbles, beans, glass beads or anything you have handy. Mark the jar with a line close to the top to be the fill line. Basically “bribe” students to stay in the target language by offering a big reward that will entice them to stay in the target language. This can be a movie day or a popcorn party. Often great motivators are free like homework passes or bonus points on a test or quiz (make it enough to not inflate the grade). Once the jar is filled, the reward is granted for the entire class. If the prize is large, it may take a while to obtain. Consider the size of the container holding the reward tokens. Don’t make the task of filling the jar impossible. You want the students to be able to achieve success a few times a term, maybe more.
Another option for a positive classroom environment is to use a multiple-level reward system. For this, you will need a larger jar and multiple rewards to achieve. You will want to have at least three rewards. The magic number is 3 -5 rewards for this system. The lower reward is a smaller item because it is easier to achieve. The top is a big prize that the students crave and really want to work for. This will help to know your students to keep them hooked during class. For a 4 tier reward system you can use 1) play a review game 2) pick your own seat 3) popcorn party 4) free homework pass. Again, pick what works for you.
This reward system is one of my favorites. I make four jars with specific rewards. Each jar represents a different reward. All of these rewards are larger “ticket” items. I usually use 1) freebie Friday 2) free homework pass 3) gameday 4) potluck signing party.
If the students achieve the target language goal, I give them a reward token. Students then place the reward in the jar of their choice. The reward is granted once the jar is filled. Empty that jar only and continue to fill the other jars. These jars should be smaller than the other reward jar because they take longer to fill.
Token Ideas
Beans
Optional Reward Choices
What if I can’t remember to drop the token in the jar? If you don’t like the thought of placing beads in a jar daily, give students punch cards like those found here. This makes the student responsible for remembering to work with voice off and work individually for the reward. Sometimes there is always that ONE kid that can’t follow the rules and holds everyone up. In this format, students are rewarded for what they do and are recognized by you. Students still like rewards like small tokens and prices. At my school, the kids love the sticky hands. Sometimes the little things are motivation enough. You know your students best. Reward them with what works for you.
So what do you think? Is this something you can integrate into your classroom to positively motivate students to use the target language? I hope you try this approach and share with us how it worked for you.
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