Running head: POSITIVITY IN THE CLASSROOM

Positivity in the Classroom

Micaela Rayford
Current Issues Paper
Capstone Project
Arkansas Tech University
October 15, 2016

POSITIVITY IN THE CLASSROOM

My BPS Concentration area is Early Childhood Education. Throughout the Early

Childhood Education concentration area, one will gain knowledge of developmental milestones.
In addition, one will gain knowledge to understand the early learning process and specific tools
that help children begin to learn and establish an educational foundation. One will also gain
relationship-building skills between parents and children. The Early Childhood Education
concentration area consists of many Early Childhood Education courses. Each course differs and
provides growth in Early Childhood Education.
There are many strategies in education to obtain academic achievement. However, one
strategy does not take any money to help obtain that goal; that is being positive. Many would say
that being positive has a deeper impact of obtaining academic achievement, it helps build
character, help gain self-management, social and emotional skills, as well. How does positivity
help learning in the classroom? Many factors play important roles in positivity in classrooms.
These factors are getting to know students, make learning relevant, create expectations and
motivation, reinforce positivity, and correcting students in a positive manner.
It is important for teachers and students alike to take time and get to know one another.
This will not only be beneficial to learn teaching techniques, but also the students learning
techniques. By learning students strengths and weaknesses, learning techniques, and interests,
teachers can adjust their own teaching techniques to better suit present students (Gerber-Allred,
2008). This will also build trust between the students and teacher and build a positive
relationship between the two. By doing so will create a positive atmosphere and help make
learning relevant. When students complete meaningful activities that are engaging and can
connect with what is already know will help with learning and building motivation and

POSITIVITY IN THE CLASSROOM

confidence. When students connect with the material, each will take something from that
particular lesson and add it to their schema. When students do not connect, they will not be
confident in the lesson and have trouble recalling the lesson being taught.
At the first of the school year, a teacher, should create expectations for both learning and
behavior for students. It is equally important for the students to have a chance to share how they
would like to be treated (Gerber-Allred, 2008). When students have a feeling of being cared and
valued, they are more willing to comply with the expectations that have been set (Boynton and
Boynton, 2005). Expectations have an impact on students learning and behavior. Some say that
calling on students equally cannot only boost self-confidence, but also gives students a chance to
fulfill expectations set. Another way for follow through with expectations set for students is
voicing that they could achieve and do well. This method is a strong and will result in students
working harder to fulfill that expectation set. As teachers make get to know their students, make
learning relevant, and create expectations for learning and behavior; creating motivation will
come with ease. As mentioned before, when students are engaged and completing activities, that
they connect with will help students motivation.
In todays classrooms, there are many ways to reinforce positive behaviors and/or
accomplishments. By recognizing and reinforcing, such behaviors and/or accomplishments will
help students continue on a positive path. Some examples of positive reinforcement in an
elementary classroom would be tokens, coupons, and/or special prizes. When students connect
how they performed and how they felt afterwards, motivation will continue in the classroom
(Gerber-Allred, 2008). When motivation continues, learning continues and students will take
more from each lesson that is being taught.

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In reality, there are going to be negative behaviors in the classroom. However, the way to
correct students both academically and behaviorally comes down doing it in a positive,
meaningful manner. When correcting the behaviors, the correction should be made privately and
allow students to keep their dignity. By doing so, this allows students to increase the chances to
reflect on the negative behavior. It will also allow the students to select a better choice in the
future. In addition, reassure students that they are still loved even though they made a wrong
choice.
In conclusion, there is a lot that goes into academic achievement. However, being a
positive role model inside and outside the classroom reflects on the expectations set for the
students. By getting to know each student inside and outside the classroom will help promote
positivity. This will help keeping students engaged, interested, and motivated in what is being
taught in the classroom. It will help with behavior management, as well. By reinforcing
positivity in the classroom will not only help with student achievement, but also with students
confidence level, too. Lastly, it is good to know how to correct a student in a positive way, which
will also help academically. Positivity is contagious and will help students become positive
throughout their lives.

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References

Boynton, C., & Boynton, M. (2005). Developing Positive Teacher-Student Relations. Educators
Guide to Preventing and Solving Discipline Problems. Retrieved from
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/105124/chapters/Developing_Positive_TeacherStudent_Relations.aspx

Gerber-Allred, C. (2008). Seven Strategies for Building Positive Classrooms. Educational

Leadership: The Positive Classroom, 66(1). Retrieved from
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept08/vol66/num01/SevenStrategies-for-Building-Positive-Classrooms.aspx

Stephens, T.L. (2015). Encouraging Positive Student Engagement and Motivation: Tips for
Teachers. Review360 Pearson. Retrieved from http://www.pearsoned.com/educationblog/encouraging-positive-student-engagement-and-motivation-tips-for-teachers/