Improving Behavior at Crab Orchard School

Abstract

Crab Orchard School is a small, modern facility serving 380 children (K-8) in a rural, mountainous area of Middle Tennessee. The building consists of a lower pod con taining six teachers and grades K-4, an upper pod con taining five teachers and grades 5-8, and a connecting wing housing the office, library, and gymnasium. In the three years since the school opened, the teachers in the upper pod have attempted to use the open space through team teaching, learning centers, and establishment of subject areas. However, the behavior of the students created a chaotic atmosphere less than conducive to learning. Teachers found themselves screaming to make themselves heard and spending much instructional time on behavior problems.