Using Positive Behavior Role Plays to Prepare Teacher Candidates for the Classroom: An Exercise for Classroom Management

Abstract

Teacher education programs across the country may infuse the latest research and resources of best practices in managing a classroom but there are not many opportunities to practice guidance and managing classroom behavior unless it arises while teaching in the actual classroom. There is not often a time or place to “practice” managing the classroom environment or practice encountering misbehavior until the actual situation arises within a field placement in an elementary classroom of students. Role play allows preservice teachers to practice guidance and behavior management of K-12 students in the college classroom.