Positive Framing- Definition
Positive framing is making corrections consistently and positively in the classroom. The behavior that should be emphasized is a positive one and for that to take place a positive response to behavior is required. Students will respond far better to a positive response than to a negative one. Positive framing keeps the class in the present, what is currently going on in the class at a particular moment, it does not drag on what the student(s) may or may not have done twenty minutes ago. As a teacher it can be hard to stay positive in the classroom especially when the students are misbehaving. But it is very important to assume the best out of your students and assume that your students have tried their best. Another thing to avoid when incorporating positive framing into the classroom, is to call students out directly by their name, singling them out. Instead use a group name, such as a class name or a general "guys" or "boys and girls". By doing this it keeps the class momentum and shared responsibility going but does not single anyone out from the group. In building momentum in the classroom it is important to keep directions and expectations as clear and concise as possible. The teacher should narrate the command or expectation in a positive light, not negatively reflecting on the students actions. Students need to be challenged in the classroom. Teachers should build competition into the day as a good and fun way to challenge their students. This works best when the students are paired into groups. Also it is important to inspire your students and lead them on a path to higher education. You can talk about your students future education and what they will become some day.
Positive Framing- Explained in my own Words
Positive framing will include positive reinforcement of behavior. Positive reinforcement occurs when a particular stimulus or consequence is presented after a behavior or action and the behavior increases as a result. The behavior that is being increased will be a positive one in correlation with the consequence. This means that when a student misbehaves and a consequence is given then then student will learn from the consequence and their behavior will decrease because of the consequence. In the case of positive framing the consequence should not be negative as that will not encourage positive behavior. Instead the consequence should be positive which will encourage positive behavior. Positive framing can also include conditioning, if a student gets use to being positively rewarded for an action then they are going to be more likely to behave in a way that allows for them to receive the reward. However this should not be overly used so that students do not get into a habit of only doing good to be praised. They should behave well because it is the right thing to do.
A key part of positive framing is to encourage and point out the good behavior instead of the bad behavior. A common error that teachers make is that they point out the bad behavior more often than they point out the good behavior. This eliminates those students that misbehave because they are striving to get attention. The bad behavior is almost ignored and only the good behavior is recognized so that the other students notice only the good behavior and pay less attention to the bad behavior.
A key part of positive framing is to encourage and point out the good behavior instead of the bad behavior. A common error that teachers make is that they point out the bad behavior more often than they point out the good behavior. This eliminates those students that misbehave because they are striving to get attention. The bad behavior is almost ignored and only the good behavior is recognized so that the other students notice only the good behavior and pay less attention to the bad behavior.
Positive Framing- Example
I plan on using positive framing in my classroom by encouraging my students good behaviors and discouraging the bad behavior. In this video the teacher does a good job of pointing out the good behavior and ignoring behavior that she does not want to see in the class. I will teach a similar age group as shown in the video so this is relevant to how my class will look and sound.
