Case Study - Leaning Back in Chair

Introduction

The case study approach of this module has been designed to create an awareness of the general classroom behavioral problems that may be encountered on a day to day basis. The examples here are generalised and may be applied to situations other than the ones given here.

Description of the problem

In Mr Timmons's first-grade class, several students have the habit of tipping their chars back on two legs. Students lean back in their chairs during small-group lessons, during music, and even when they are working at their desks. Several students have tipped themselves all the way over. Fortunately, no one has gotten hurt yet. Mr Timmons has discussed the dangers of leaning back in chairs with the students, but the discussions have not eliminated the problem.

Causes

The students have probably received attention for leaning back in their chairs. Whenever they lean back someone tells them not to. In addition, some students may be modeling the behavior of older siblings, or even of characters in the movies. (The tough guys always lean back in their chairs.) Finally, some students simply find this to be comfortable position and have been given no meaningful reason to give it up.

Goal

Students will sit in the chair with all four chair legs touching the floor. The Plan:

Step 1:
Design a consequence for tipping back in the chair. A reasonable consequence for not using a chair correctly is to have the chair taken away from the guilty party. This results in the child having to figure out how to function without a chair. From this the child learns that having a chair is a privilege that can only be earned by treating the chair properly.

Step 2:
Discuss the problem and the consequence with your students. Explain why leaning back in a chair can be dangerous. Also explain that a chair is designed to have all four legs on the ground and that any other way of sitting in a chair is abusing it. Leaning back on two chair legs creates stress in places where the chair was not designed to take it. Then tell the students the consequence you have chosen for those who commit this offense. The discussion might go something like this:

'I'm very concerned because a lot of people in this room are leaning back in their chairs. When you lean back on the two back legs of a chair, the chair could fall over backward, seriously injuring someone.' In addition, when you lean back in a chair, you are not using the chair the way it was designed to be used. Chairs are designed to have all four legs touching the ground. Tipping back the chair puts all of your weight two legs and may eventually break the chair. If chairs were designed to hold your weight on two legs, they would only have two legs.

Since chairs are designed to have all four legs touching the ground, that is how you should sit in them. From now on, if anyone sits in a chair incorrectly, I'll assume that that person does not know the correct way to use a chair. Therefore, that person will not get to use a chair for the rest of the day. Does anyone have any questions?'

NOTE:
This holds true even if the chair is attached to the desk.

Step 3:
When a student tips back his or her chair, take the chair away from the student. Do not lecture or scold the student. Calmly say 'I'm sorry, but you forgot to use the chair properly so you won't be able to use the chair for the rest of the day.' If the student argues, ignore him or her. Do not negotiate. It wouldn't be appropriate to say 'Well, if you promise to remember to keep all four legs on the floor, you can have it back.'

If someone begins to tease the student for not having a chair, praise other students for minding their own business. Do not give attention to either the student doing the teasing or the student being punished.

Step 4:
The following morning, place the chair at the student's desk before the students arrive in the classroom. When the student enters the room, make no comment about the chair. If the student says that he or she doesn't want the chair, give the student that choice. However, the student must understand that this means he or she cannot get the chair back until the next day. Allow the student to make the choice.

Step 5:
If a student comes to you and tattles about someone who is leaning back in his or her chair, ignore the tattling. The only time you should punish a student is when you see the student misbehaving