CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
LEARNED REINFORCERS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO TEACHERS
Social Reinforcers consist of:
a. Praise statements such as
Very good Well thought out, John
Well done Show this to your parents
Good thinking Beautiful
Nice work Good job
Excellent Right on
Right Smart
Good work Good for you
You’re really working Good way of saying it
Good, you did your homework Very meaningful
You did your best, Susan You work fast
Good explanation You’re very prompt, To:___
That’s practical Good job on a task difficult as a___
Good attention You followed directions well
That took some thought That makes good sense
Clear thinking You tried hard on that
Correct Nice improvement
I like that That’s great
Calling pupil by name
b. Facial and bodily expressions and nearness
Eating with the children Joining the class at recess
Shaking hands High fives
Smiling Helping put on coats
Guiding with hand Clapping hands
Winking Leaning over
Giving a high sign Looking interested
Laughing Walking among pupils
Thumbs up Standing next to student
Activity Reinforcers that Can be Used in the Classroom
Free time Extra turns in a game; on computer
Carry library books upstairs Listen to own voice on the tape recorder
Paint at easel
Work Puzzles Read library books
Play with bean bags Take a message to the office
Water plants Play with magnets
Lead the pledge Feed room animals for a week
Be team captain Be a line leader
Take care of the calendar for a week Sing a song
Read comic book Help with audio visual equipment
String beans Sit at teacher’s desk for reading
Pass out paper Sharpen pencils
Play instruments Extra time at recess
Do extra project Perform before a group
Use playground equipment Study with a friend
Mark papers Listen to a record or tape using earphones
Run errands Represent group in school activities
Be a line monitor Decorate classroom
Put away materials Clean erasers
Work problems on the board Lead discussions
Perform for PTA Dance
List of
Self-Defeating Teacher Behaviors
Some consequences which reinforce and maintain undesirable behaviors are:
1. Paying attention to undesirable behavior. Shouting and arguing back and forth.
2. Not following through on a directive. Withdrawing requirements when pupils complain.
3. Showing favoritism, partiality, hostility. Punishing one pupil while ignoring the same behavior in
another pupil.
4. Failing to pay attention to pupils who exhibit desirable behavior.
5. Reinforcing only “good” pupils, and failing to notice improvement and effort from poorer pupils.
6. Allowing peer reinforcement for deviant behavior.
7. Using comparisons which show up certain pupil’s deficiencies.
8. Idle threats of unenforceable punishment, or threatening punishment without carrying it out.
9. Punishing in anger, and providing an aggressive model by violent punishment.
10. Delaying reward or punishment.
11. Failing to make the punishment fit the crime.
12. Belittling or embarrassing.
13. Failing to be consistent.