How will implementing conscious discipline affect the social emotional climate of a second grade classroom?

Julia Salzer


Seminar Title


How will implementing conscious discipline affect the social emotional climate of a second grade classroom?


Concept/Strategy

Focus of the Research


social emotional development


Grade Level

Research Was Applied


2nd Grade


Relevant Grade Level

Connections


Elementary


Discipline

Where Research Was Applied


Other


Additional Discipline Areas

I see Application to


All Disciplines


Invitation/Commercial


“She hit me!” “He called me stupid!” Are you sick of the sound of tattling children ringing throughout your classroom? Would you like to have another tool for the student who is constantly having meltdowns? Do you wish your class could just get along? Conscious discipline might be the tool you are looking for. Conscious discipline can help students of all ages, even adults! My research touches on relationships, regulation, social emotional needs and self awareness. My implementation was based in second grade but could be adapted for all grade levels. If you are interested in a more harmonic classroom and could use a few more tools under your belt, this is the session you are looking for!


Abstract


Julia Stephnie Salzer St. Cloud Blend 3 Learning Community Jssalz16@smumn.edu How will implementing conscious discipline affect the social emotional climate of a second grade classroom? The question guiding my research is as follows: How will implementing conscious discipline affect the social emotional climate of a second grade classroom? After reading the review of the literature I have found several strategies using conscious discipline that will target the change I am seeking in behavior in my classroom. Therefore, the targeted changes I am pursuing for my students are 1) increased self regulation, 2) better conflict resolution skills, and 3) building better relations with peers and adults. The strategies I am going to implement in my classroom are student led calming strategies, guided conflict resolution script, and community building activities. Looking at my classroom, my students and myself, I will assess my implementation by using 1) pre and post surveys 2) recording escalated behavior 3) journaling observations in the classroom. Through my research I have learned new breathing techniques to help calm and self regulate students who are escalated. I have also learned new ways to help students solve their own conflicts with peers and build a better sense of classroom community through daily relationship rituals. The number of escalated behaviors has decreased slightly, with some students this implementation had a bigger impact than others. However, there has been inconsistency with the sole use of conscious discipline since conscious discipline alone was not working for everyone. I have had to implement other behavior modification techniques such as positive and negative reinforcement. I have found that using conscious discipline can be very time consuming when there are so many students who struggle with self regulation. I have also had students move or sent home early which leads to inconsistency with the data. As a result I have determined that conscious discipline is a great supplement to use in the classroom, but it is not a one size fits all. I still have to use other forms of behavior modification techniques in the classroom. I will continue to use conscious discipline in the classroom along with other techniques.