How do you encourage good behavior in the library? As elementary librarians, we have the added challenge of keeping order in multiple classrooms. I've worked at several different schools during my education career, and I can tell you that this has never been an easy task. It's especially difficult if the librarian before you had different rules and expectations (or none at all, like some situations I've been in!). I wanted to share some behavior management strategies that have worked for me.
Establish Rules and Expectations
This should be #1 on your agenda every year. If you are on my mailing list, you should have received a sample of my library lesson plans. You'll see that I spend a lot of time going over my rules, and for good reason. I have very specific rules and expectations for my library, and I try to be very fair when enforcing them.
Have Meaningful Consequences and Follow Through
Explain the consequences of not following the rules, and when students don't follow them, do something about it. This sends a message to the other students: you're not messing around. I like to start with trying to handle the behavior issues with the classroom teacher, but if I'm still having trouble, I'll send notes home (it's always a good idea to have a paper trail when dealing with behavior issues) or call home. I've done a few office referrals for severe behavior, but luckily that doesn't happen too often. I've found that once you start taking action with one or two students, you usually don't have too many problems from that point on.
Use a Seating Chart
I can't stress this enough. It really is that important. I assign seats in the library because it gives the students a place in the library to call home. They don't have to wander around looking for a place to sit, because they always go to the same place. I am extremely inflexible when it comes to the seating chart, and the students know it. I know this because each time one of them asks me if they can sit with their friends, they always grin when I tell them no. I do too. It's a well known fact that you don't change your seat in the library.
Establish a Positive Behavior Reward System
By this point, you might be thinking that my library sounds like a prison. I can assure you that it is far from it. In fact, my students love the library. I rarely have any behavior issues, thanks to the systems I have in place. Rather than always concentrating on consequences for negative behavior, I like to reward positive behavior. I've done this several different ways. At my last school, I did a behavior bulletin board. Each classroom had a "bookshelf", which I stapled 4 paper books to at the beginning of each library class. If students were well-behaved, they might receive an extra book. If not, I would take books away. Once their homeroom's bookshelf was completely full, we would have a reward day. Reward days might consist of outside play time, outside reading time, or indoor game time when the weather didn't cooperate.
This year, I bought lots of small and large rewards to give away to students. I have scented bookmarks, candy, and lots of other kid-friendly trinkets that I give to people who are following the library's rules. You would be amazed at how the behavior of the entire class will change when I start handing out prizes. Want students to use shelf markers? Praise someone who's using them and give them a prize. Students not sitting in their assigned seats? Give out a prize or two to others who are following the rules. It's amazingly effective.
I also created a Library Treasure Box, which is in the picture at the top of the post. I used some of my book fair credit to buy a bunch of the book fair "junk" kids love so much - UV pens, drumstick pencils, cell phone erasers, bracelets, etc. When someone has really exceptional behavior, I let them choose something out of the Library Treasure Box. They love it at every grade level!
To create my Library Treasure Box, I found an old book fair box, covered it with bulletin board paper, and used the library's Cricut machine to make the letters and stars. I'm not completely finished decorating yet, but I know the finished product will be a hit!
How do you manage student behavior in your library? What works best for you? Share with us in the comments!
Amy Penwell says
I have struggled with the idea of rewards for behavior, because I really don't ask for anything more than basic good school/class behavior in the library. It seems unnecessary to reward students for doing what they are supposed to be doing! But maybe I will consider awards for exceptional behavior.
I know several special subject teachers at our school do class based awards ('art award', 'gym award' - with a token something that gets displayed in the class for the week), based on their best behaved class all week. Class Dojo would work for this. Maybe I can repurpose a weeded title (or a blank notebook for the classes to be listed in) with some gold spray paint and create 'The Golden Book' award 🙂
Elem_Librarian says
That's really the idea behind it. I am with you that kids shouldn't be rewarded for normal good behavior. Occasionally I do give something out for exceptional behavior.
Tyra H. says
As far as behavior, I got an idea from another librarian in my district. He has Vacation Station. I got a palm tree with a hula girl and a monkey and taped them to a pole in my library. There the kids will find a cooler, a desk, some pencils and a stool. It looks very inviting, but there's a catch. If I have to remind students more than three times to change their behavior, they have to take a trip, a vacation from the rest of the class. Once there, they must write a paragraph so many times according to their grade level. For example, 5th grade has to write it 50 times and get it signed by their parent. I also make a phone call home, just in case they refuse to do the assignment. I am proud to say that I have only had one child take a vacation. Grades KDG-1st have to write their numbers 1-100 by filling in a blank 100 chart for the 3 times I reminded them to change their behavior. Again, only one kid went on vacation, and they were in the 1st grade.
Rachel says
This is a fantastic, effective sounding idea. Would you please give more details about what grades 2-4 might write and the length?
Molly Matchak says
I know this is an old post, but I feel compelled to comment on it. PLEASE don't use writing as a punishment. I understand using it as a reflection piece - having the student write about the misbehavior and how he or she can change that behavior, but the repetitive part of it is overkill and undermines process of learning to write and to enjoy writing. I worked in a school where that was part of the school-wide discipline policy and as a Language Arts teacher at the time, I cannot express to you how just how detrimental it was to the students.
nikki says
I like your idea of separating defiant student from the class. In my school district we are not allowed to force students to write "standards," or repetitive writing for discipline.
Are you able to share more specifically on what the students will write (grades 2-5)?
I was thinking of having a simple 'library rules' poster made up and they can chose the rule they broke, copy it down, and have it signed by their teacher - 1st warning, next (2nd offense) their parent, 3rd offense, principal receives the letter signed by parent. Do you think this would help with student's behavior?
Sheryl says
I don't use seating charts but... if a student is not following directions or paying attention they are assigned a seat for a period of time. They have to earn they way out of the assigned seat. Great motivation to follow directions and listen for all the students.
Elizabeth Vollmer says
I have never used seating charts but I am rethinking my position. It is generally the same small number of students who make me scowl. A seating chart will eliminate a fair number of my frown lines. Thanks so much for your post and inspiration!
Melisa says
I use class dojo @ class dojo,com. It helps students to monitor their own behavior. I also incorporate class rewards. I like you idea about seating charts
Rhonda Gamboa says
Melisa, I would love to learn more about your experiences with Class Dojo. Is there a reward or consequence assoicated with this computer system? Do you display on the Smart Board? Do you use your smart phone to update the students behavior?
Heather says
I only found Class Dojo towards the end of the year but my few experiences with it have been AWESOME! It is a really great program and the kids were so into it. I pulled it up for a second grade class while they were working and without even saying anything, they began to notice it and get excited, pointing out good behavior and self-monitoring (and monitoring each other "Devin, it says youre being disruptive, quiet down!"). I showed the teacher the board and she loved seeing how everyone had behaved at a glance. Its printable and it has stats as well. I *think* it will separate the class into small groups too.
I intend to input each class for next year and I am considering having students go to the whiteboard and change their own "domo" for good and bad behavior.
Brook Berg says
Having well known, reasonable and fair expectations is the key for me. We use above the line, below the line and bottom line in our school. All the specialists in the school got together and made a short list of behaviors. When a student is below the line, I give them a choice to fix it or have consequences. Most kids want to fix it and together we come up with a plan to fix it. If the kids don't follow through, they will get my consequence. I cey seldom ever have anyone fall below the line.
I think about the expectations as turning on the lights in a pitch black room. If you send people into the room, they will stumble around knocking into each other and whatever is in the room - dangers and chaotic. But if you turn the lights on most of the people will stay out of each others way and stay safe.
I too have give aways to outstanding citizens. I always talk about characteristics of a good citizen. It is one of our standards, so a good way of reinforcing those ideas. Kids have picked up on terminology.