TEACHER INQUIRY PROJECT

Deanna Bane, Frank Garza, Chloe Gomel,

Courtney Tarrer, Carrie Cormack, Linea
Villarreal
QUESTION: IS IT MORE EFFECTIVE TO OFFER
STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE
STANDARD AND NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR USING A
COLOR CHART WITH EXEMPLARY LEVELS THAT
THEY CAN ACHIEVE?
Hypothesis
We predict that
students will respond
to this positive
behavior system with
fewer negative
behaviors.
Background Information
Forman Elementary uses a color chart system as a
consequence for negative behaviors.
Students begin their day with their clip on purple and
remain there by following the rules.
For negative behaviors, students move their clip down
the chart to green, yellow, blue, and red, though some
colors vary from teacher to teacher.
Each color has a different consequence associated
with it and parents are notified in a communication
folder which color their child ended on for that day.
Some teachers allow students to correct their behavior
and move their clip back up, but others do not.
Plan to Implement New Behavior Chart
The color chart will ascend to include two opportunities for
students to show above and beyond behavior, Pink and
Gold Star. These two levels will have rewards and
recognition to encourage and praise desired behaviors. By
showing above and beyond behavior such as advanced
character traits beyond current age appropriate
development (i.e. sharing, empathy towards others,
persistence, or self-directed learning) students will be
asked to move their clip up to Pink Level first. The students
voted for the specific rewards at each level. At Pink they
will receive a positive note in their folder describing their
specific behavior. At Gold Star, which indicates continued
positive behavior, the students receive a certificate and the
option for 15 minutes of free time in the room, or to visit a
previous teacher in the building.
Before Introducing New Chart
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011121314151617
# of Negative Behaviors
# of Negative Behaviors
Students in the
Classroom
After Introducing New Chart
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
# Negative Behaviors
# Positive Behaviors
Students in the Classroom

# of Negative Behaviors
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Original Chart
Pink and Gold Chart
Students in the Classroom

Total Behaviors Noted
Negative Positive
Before 24 0
After 19 69
Goals and
Results
This goal is achieved daily. Ive
observed students who typically
dont take an interest in trying to
achieve growth in their character
traits truly take an interest. They
are looking for ways to help others
and show persistence and grit. B
Mainly, those students who were
typically being reprimanded for
poor behavior are now consistently
receiving positive reinforcements
and growing self-esteem.
--Hilary Morris, 1
st
grade teacher
Goal #1:
Encourage
and
Motivate
Positive
Behavior

Goals and
Results, Cont.
This is my favorite part of the
new behavior plan. I love
having a consistent form of
communication to parents
about their students positive
behavior. Ive had three
parents make comments to me
that theyve truly enjoyed
reading the positive comments
about their child each week.
--Hilary Morris, 1
st
grade
teacher

Goal #2:
Create a
Consistent
form of
Parent/Teach
er
Communicatio
n

Goals and
Results, Cont.
I love the momentum this plan has
brought into the classroom.
Typically, the second semester
sees a decline in good behavior
and persistence. However, Ive
observed a swell in positive
behavior. My class has seemed to
dig-in to persistence and pushing
through tough situations instead of
falling to pieces. I couldnt be
happier with this new plan and I
will continue to implement it each
year.
--Hilary Morris, 1
st
grade teacher

Goal
#3:Reward
Positive
Behavior

Conclusion
Allowing students the opportunity to achieve recognition
for exemplary behavior resulted in more positive
behaviors and fewer negative behaviors as a whole in the
classroom.
Each child having their own goal to reach made it more
personal for them, which resulted in intrinsic motivation.
This behavior system was so effective that Mrs. Morris
opted to keep it in place for the remainder of the year and
use it in subsequent years.