Praise is the most common and easiest-to-administer form of behavioral support in a classroom. Praise works by reinforcing positive behavior at the time of the behavior. Watch your students carefully for reasons to praise them. Situations such as correct answers to your questions and using proper classroom etiquette make good opportunities. Be careful to avoid bias by praising the action without regard to which student is performing the action.
Classroom rules are essential for promoting positive behavior. Rules create a clear standard and ensure that your students know what you expect from them, says Lori Newcomer of the University of Missouri. Keep the language in your rules simple and positive, such as "treat other students with respect" and "remain quiet while the teacher is talking." Explain each rule carefully and make sure that students understand exactly what you expect from them. Give them plenty of opportunities to ask questions about the rules.
Simple prize tickets are ideal because they are inexpensive and easy to hand out. Reward your students with a ticket for positive behavior. Set the standards in your own classroom but provide a sizable list of potential prizes on which they can spend their tickets. Candy is a good prize, but you can also award intangibles such as an extra 15 minutes at recess or the right to avoid a quiz. Replenish your gift list regularly so your students have new goals toward which to work.
Place a clear jar on your desk where your class can see it and watch their progress. Keep a large bowl of marbles or small rocks in your desk. Every time you witness a positive activity by one of your students, place a marble from your bowl into the jar. You can include this reward as part of classroom games and reward your entire class for successful answers. When the jar is full, reward your class with a pizza party, an extra period outside for recess or a classroom movie event. Make it something fun so your class can get behind the effort.