Name System
Standard 4 - Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environment.
Standard 4.1.1 - Support student participation
Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
Within the classroom I currently work in, they have created a classroom management strategy called the ‘Name System’. In this system, each child has their name laminated on a green and red piece of paper. The student’s green names are automatically placed on ‘Good Job – 1’ every morning. As the day goes on, if students deserve praise for positive behaviour, the teacher will ask the student to ‘move their name up’ onto ‘Great Job – 2’. If the students reach the top level – ‘Fantastic RAP’, the student will be given a RAP card which is placed in their wallet. Each student has a wallet where they tally the number of RAPs they have at the end of each term. If you are given a certain amount, you receive a certificate and may even receive a Principal’s award. As the day goes on, students names may also be moved down if students have not been behaving properly. In this instance, their red names will be placed on the wall and they must undertake the consequence shown on the name system.
If a teacher asks a question in a group discussion and a student states the wrong answer, they will be praised for their efforts and asked to move their name up for trying. Such behaviours like this support inclusive student participation and engagement in the classroom activities as students know they will receive something positive from their efforts, even if they may not be correct.
This verbal strategy allows students to explicitly see the level they are at and encourages them to keep working hard to reach Fantastic. Literature by Shores et. Al, indicates that teachers are more inclined to tend to inappropriate behaviour in the classroom. (Shores, Gunter & Jack, 1993). Such management strategies as this will be implemented in my future teaching as it enhances the effects of positive praise and showcases the benefits of positive behaviour in the classroom. (320 words)
