Tom Bennett - Behaviour lessons from the best UK schools #rEDNed 2019

Summary

The speaker passionately discusses the importance of fostering good behavior in schools, emphasizing the need for proactive rather than reactive approaches. Drawing from research and experience, they argue that creating a positive school culture involves setting clear expectations, establishing routines, and practicing them consistently. The talk also touches on the significance of effective behavior response mechanisms and the role of sanctions in maintaining discipline, advocating for a balanced approach that considers the context and intentions behind student actions.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The speaker emphasizes the importance of creating a positive school culture and the role of proactive behavior management over reactive responses to misbehavior.
• 👩‍🏫 There is a call for better training for teachers and school leaders in managing classroom behavior, as many enter the profession with little to no training in this area.
• 🔍 The speaker conducted research and visited 200 schools, finding that successful schools consciously think about the whole classroom environment and how to influence behavior positively.
• 📚 The concept of an 'invisible curriculum' is introduced, which includes teaching students social skills and behaviors that support learning, not just academic content.
• 🤝 The need for clear communication of expectations and norms is highlighted, as students need to know exactly what behaviors are expected of them in the classroom.
• 🔄 Routines are essential for establishing a predictable and structured learning environment; they should be taught and consistently reinforced.
• 👀 The speaker suggests that many students may not know how to self-regulate and behave appropriately without being explicitly taught these skills.
• 📉 A reactive model of behavior management is common in schools, but it is less effective than a proactive approach that includes teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors.
• 🛑 The importance of consistency in applying sanctions and rewards is stressed, as inconsistency can undermine the behavior management strategies of the school.
• 🔗 The speaker argues that most misbehavior is not the result of complex underlying issues but rather a lack of understanding or disregard for the established norms and routines.
• 👂 Lastly, the script suggests that responses to misbehavior should be multifaceted, considering both the immediate sanction and the underlying motivations of the student's actions.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the speaker's presentation?

The main topic of the speaker's presentation is promoting good behavior in schools, particularly focusing on the importance of proactive measures rather than reactive ones.

Why does the speaker believe that most teachers are unprepared to manage classroom behavior?

The speaker believes that most teachers are unprepared to manage classroom behavior because they receive very little training in this area, often being left to figure things out on their own.

What role did the Secretary of Education in the United Kingdom ask the speaker to undertake?

The Secretary of Education in the United Kingdom asked the speaker to be the 'behavior finder' for the Department of Education, tasked with investigating how teachers should be trained and what successful schools are doing from a leadership perspective to create good learning environments.

What does the speaker suggest is the biggest lever in a school for maintaining order and improving behavior?

The speaker suggests that the biggest lever in a school for maintaining order and improving behavior is leadership, both at the school and classroom levels.

What is the speaker's main criticism of most schools' approach to dealing with misbehavior?

The speaker's main criticism is that most schools have a reactive model for dealing with misbehavior, waiting for it to occur and then responding, rather than proactively teaching students how to behave well.

What does the speaker mean by 'culture' in the context of a school or classroom?

In the context of a school or classroom, 'culture' refers to the shared beliefs and behaviors within the community. The speaker emphasizes the importance of consciously shaping this culture to promote positive behavior.

Why does the speaker argue that it's important for teachers to define and communicate their expectations for behavior?

The speaker argues that it's important for teachers to define and communicate their expectations for behavior because students need to know what is expected of them in order to self-regulate and understand the social norms of the classroom.

What is the significance of routines in creating a positive learning environment according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, routines are significant in creating a positive learning environment because they provide a predictable sequence of behaviors that help students know what to expect and how to act, contributing to a smoother and more focused classroom.

What does the speaker suggest about the role of habits in student behavior?

The speaker suggests that habits play a crucial role in student behavior. They argue that teachers should aim to help students develop healthy habits that support positive behavior, as habits can be more enduring and impactful than temporary changes in behavior.

What is the speaker's view on the use of sanctions in responding to misbehavior?

The speaker believes that sanctions can be effective in responding to misbehavior, but they must be used within a high-trust environment and be consistent. Sanctions should be part of a broader approach that includes teaching, routines, and the development of a positive school culture.

How does the speaker describe the importance of consistency in behavior management across different teachers in a school?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of consistency in behavior management, stating that when teachers have different rules and responses to behavior, it can confuse students and undermine the efforts of other teachers, leading to a lack of respect for the rules and the school environment.