A behavior contract is a very important artifact because lets face it, not every student is going to a perfect little angel. The goal of a behavior contract it to improve student behaviors by implementing student made goals. If every student completes a behavior contract, they will better understand how they should act in the classroom, and what will happen if they break their contract. However, not all students will need a behavior contract. Students who have chronic (always or never) behavior may need a behavior contract. As teachers we want our students to respect one another. We do not want students screaming, calling each other names, hitting, making vulgar comments etc. One way to help avoid this from happening is having students complete a behavior contract.
The behavior contract you see above is something I definitely plan on using in my classroom. What I like most about this contract is that students complete it, rather than just read what the teacher writes on the contract and sign their name. These contracts are also specific to each student because as we know, every student is different. Students will write down three behavior goals to meet and follow throughout the school year. Students then have to write down three ways they will meet those goals. They then create three consequences and three rewards. These, along with the entire behavior contract, have to reviewed by the teacher to make sure they are observable, measurable, and appropriate. You cannot reward students by giving them a 100 on exam, but maybe a class pizza party twice a year is more doable. I also liked this because the parents can see this as well, and have to sign it. This behavior contract can also be used for specific students that need it the most because it is reviewed by the teacher, the parents, the student, and an administrator. These contracts should be kept on file and followed through.
From this behavior contract I learned that depending on the student, they will each have different goals for how they will improve behavior. I also learned this is a great way to hold students accountable and make them responsible for their actions. In contrast, as we learned from Zach's book talk, some students will have behavioral problems that are out of their control, or in other words, it is something that they cannot help, or they do not mean to do. This is something we as teachers have to be careful of when it comes to how to manage behaviors that are not intentional. Behavior contracts can be affective and beneficial if used and followed correctly. If teachers and students do not follow through with the contracts they will not help improve behavior.
The behavior contract you see above is something I definitely plan on using in my classroom. What I like most about this contract is that students complete it, rather than just read what the teacher writes on the contract and sign their name. These contracts are also specific to each student because as we know, every student is different. Students will write down three behavior goals to meet and follow throughout the school year. Students then have to write down three ways they will meet those goals. They then create three consequences and three rewards. These, along with the entire behavior contract, have to reviewed by the teacher to make sure they are observable, measurable, and appropriate. You cannot reward students by giving them a 100 on exam, but maybe a class pizza party twice a year is more doable. I also liked this because the parents can see this as well, and have to sign it. This behavior contract can also be used for specific students that need it the most because it is reviewed by the teacher, the parents, the student, and an administrator. These contracts should be kept on file and followed through.
From this behavior contract I learned that depending on the student, they will each have different goals for how they will improve behavior. I also learned this is a great way to hold students accountable and make them responsible for their actions. In contrast, as we learned from Zach's book talk, some students will have behavioral problems that are out of their control, or in other words, it is something that they cannot help, or they do not mean to do. This is something we as teachers have to be careful of when it comes to how to manage behaviors that are not intentional. Behavior contracts can be affective and beneficial if used and followed correctly. If teachers and students do not follow through with the contracts they will not help improve behavior.