Giving Choices!

In my second grade classroom this semester my cooperating teacher is big on turning the responsibility for things over to the students. One way she does this with disruptive behavior is to give the student(s) a choice. Little do these little wonderful children know that they choices they get to choose between are both win/win choices. The teacher gets what he/she wants out of the child with either decision the student makes.

For example: I had two little boys in my class that were always kicking each other under the table, or trying to steal each others shoes. So I had a chat with both of these boys and gave them these choices:

You may either follow our class rule of hands and feet to yourself and stay where you are sitting

OR

If you choose to not follow that rule, you may sit over at this seat by yourself.

As soon as these boys were talked to they stopped trying to kick each other. The key thing with giving choices is to live up to the consequences no matter which choice the student decides to make. Also, really relay to the students that it was because of the choice they made that the consequence happen. (i.e. Oh I am really sorry you decided to kick underneath the table again, will you please grab your stuff, I will help you, and come and sit in this seat right over here).

BIGGEST THING- stick to what you have told them you would do for each choice given to them, if they can get away with something once, they WILL try again!