Setting and Maintaining High Behavioral Expectations
Technique 41: Threshold
What is Threshold?
Threshold is a technique that allows students to understand the standards their teacher holds, while simultaneously making them feel worthy and important for coming to class. Before the students arrive, the teacher, if the school policy allows, should position him/herself in front of the door and greet each student personally as they walk into the classroom. Though some teachers prefer to have the students shake their hands and make eye contact as they pass through the threshold, it is ultimately up to the teacher to determine what his/her greeting will be. By personally greeting each student with their name or even what they’re doing that day in class, the teacher is letting them know that s/he is paying attention to them and that today is going to be a good day of productivity and learning. The students get a personal connection with their teacher and can have a better relationship and level of respect for their teacher this way, which ultimately leads to a more positive and productive classroom.
Threshold is a technique that allows students to understand the standards their teacher holds, while simultaneously making them feel worthy and important for coming to class. Before the students arrive, the teacher, if the school policy allows, should position him/herself in front of the door and greet each student personally as they walk into the classroom. Though some teachers prefer to have the students shake their hands and make eye contact as they pass through the threshold, it is ultimately up to the teacher to determine what his/her greeting will be. By personally greeting each student with their name or even what they’re doing that day in class, the teacher is letting them know that s/he is paying attention to them and that today is going to be a good day of productivity and learning. The students get a personal connection with their teacher and can have a better relationship and level of respect for their teacher this way, which ultimately leads to a more positive and productive classroom.
Why Does This Work?
A method for encouraging good behavior is to ensure that the expectations are clear from the start of class. By meeting and greeting each student at the threshold of the classroom with a quick statement of classroom assignments or even how well they did during a game or on a homework assignment, the teacher is setting his/her expectations of how the school day is going to go. Whether they have a test that day that the teacher reminds them of, or s/he mentions that their bellwork is on the front table and needs to be done upon entering, the students are coming in prepared and ready to go just from a few greeting words from their teacher. These clear expectations can lead to higher levels of motivation. Higher levels of expectation along with the student’s intrinsic (internal) interest can leave to high achievement motivation. Just one simple gesture each day can give a student a greater chance of becoming more academically motivated and interested in class.
A method for encouraging good behavior is to ensure that the expectations are clear from the start of class. By meeting and greeting each student at the threshold of the classroom with a quick statement of classroom assignments or even how well they did during a game or on a homework assignment, the teacher is setting his/her expectations of how the school day is going to go. Whether they have a test that day that the teacher reminds them of, or s/he mentions that their bellwork is on the front table and needs to be done upon entering, the students are coming in prepared and ready to go just from a few greeting words from their teacher. These clear expectations can lead to higher levels of motivation. Higher levels of expectation along with the student’s intrinsic (internal) interest can leave to high achievement motivation. Just one simple gesture each day can give a student a greater chance of becoming more academically motivated and interested in class.
Specific Classroom Examples:
Because I don’t necessarily enjoy shaking hands with people, especially elementary level students, I would prefer to start my mornings out by high fiving each of my students as they step through the threshold and into the classroom. As each student passed me, I would expect him or her to look up at me and greet me as well and if they missed my hand or it was a weak high five, I would ask that they try again until we get a strong high five. I would also say their individual names along with either a compliment to the student, a reminder of what is due, or tell him/her what we are learning today. I would do all of this in a positive voice to set the mood of the class early on. I feel like staying positive and energetic, especially early in the morning, is very important so that the teacher can show the students that even though it is early and everyone is tired, it is time to learn. Not only that, but showing them that learning is fun without necessarily saying it is also important. Non-verbal language, such as the hand shake/high five or the smile on the teacher’s face, can often say more than words. This technique can potentially change the way a child views learning, which can make or break a classroom setting.
Click here to see another example of how a teacher uses the Threshold technique in her classroom.
Because I don’t necessarily enjoy shaking hands with people, especially elementary level students, I would prefer to start my mornings out by high fiving each of my students as they step through the threshold and into the classroom. As each student passed me, I would expect him or her to look up at me and greet me as well and if they missed my hand or it was a weak high five, I would ask that they try again until we get a strong high five. I would also say their individual names along with either a compliment to the student, a reminder of what is due, or tell him/her what we are learning today. I would do all of this in a positive voice to set the mood of the class early on. I feel like staying positive and energetic, especially early in the morning, is very important so that the teacher can show the students that even though it is early and everyone is tired, it is time to learn. Not only that, but showing them that learning is fun without necessarily saying it is also important. Non-verbal language, such as the hand shake/high five or the smile on the teacher’s face, can often say more than words. This technique can potentially change the way a child views learning, which can make or break a classroom setting.
Click here to see another example of how a teacher uses the Threshold technique in her classroom.