Tiered Supports - Intervention Finder

Academic struggles can stem from a number of issues. In some cases, the student has the requisite skills but may not be motivated. In that case it may be most appropriate to address motivation with a behavioral intervention. You can determine whether it’s a lack of skill or lack of will by conducting a “Can’t/Won’t Do” assessment. If the student lacks the skill, you may want to use an instructional intervention to provide the student more practice, more explicit instruction, or tasks more aligned with their instructional-level (e.g., reading level, math operations).

Academic deficiencies may come in any of the following areas: 

• oral expression
• listening comprehension
• written expression
• basic reading skills
• reading fluency skills
• reading comprehension
• mathematics calculation
• mathematics problem solving

If a student is struggling in one of these areas, there are several interventions that may be considered to help the student.

Reading Supports

Savvy Teacher's Guide: Reading Interventions that Work - The intervention selected depends on the issue at hand. There are many evidence-based interventions that address errors, fluency, and comprehension as well as early reading skills. This tool identifies a handful of evidence-based reading interventions in each of these areas and provides step by step instructions on how to use them. Some examples are below:

Graphic Organizer for note taking - Sometimes students may need a tool to help organize their thoughts during classroom instruction. Graphic organizers can be an effective way to fullfill that purpose as well as helping the student organize their ideas and potential questions that they may have.

Elementary Graphic Organizer

Cornell Note Taking Template

Peer Tutoring - Peer tutoring is a method that can be used in the implementation of several other types of interventions. Pairing a struggling student with a more proficient student can provide a model for the struggling student and allow the teacher to provide individualized support to several students while the intervention is being implemented. Peer tutoring should be used to supplement, not take the place of, teacher instruction.

Error Correction and Word Drill Techniques

Repeated Reading - When a student commits an error in reading orally for the teacher, correct the word. Then direct the student to reread the sentence and continue reading. This ensures the student is practicing correct reading and not errors.

Word Attack Hierarchy - When a student misreads a word, there is a descending order of cues provided to the student to try to read the word correctly (e.g., "try another way," "finish the sentence and guess the word," "break the word into parts," etc.)

Error Word Drill - With this strategy, the teacher records on individual index cards any misread words during a reading session. These cards are then used as flash cards to help the student practice accurate reading of each word. When a word is mastered, it is removed from the deck.

Techniques to Promote Reading Fluency

Assisted Reading Practice - The student reads aloud while an accomplished reader (teacher or peer) follows along silently. If the student commits a reading error, the helping reader corrects the student error. Parents can be easily trained to use this strategy.

Listening Passage Preview - The student follows along silently as an accomplished reader reads a passage aloud. Then the student reads the passage aloud, receiving corrective feedback as needed. 

Paired Reading - The student reads aloud in tandem with an accomplished reader. At a student signal, the helping reader stops reading, while the student continues on. When the student commits a reading error, the helping reader resumes reading in tandem. 

Techniques to Build Text Comprehension

Advanced Story Map Instruction - Students are taught to use a basic "Story Grammar' to map out, identify, and analyze significant components of narrative text.

Click or Clunk - Students periodically check their understanding of passages (sentences, paragraphs, pages). When the student encounters problems with vocabulary or comprehension they use a checklist to apply simple strategies to solve those reading difficulties.

Keywords: A Memorization Strategy - Students select the central idea of a passage and summarize it as a keyword. Then they recode the keyword as a mental image to relate to other important facts and keywords. 

Math Supports

Math Drill Down - Achieve the core, USBE core guide

Cover-Copy-Compare - This intervention promotes the acquisition of math facts. The  student is given a sheet containing math facts to practice. The student studies each math fact with answer that appears on the sheet, covers the fact briefly and copies it from memory, then compares the student-copied math fact and answer to the original correct model.

Math Computation: Incremental Rehearsal - Incremental rehearsal builds student fluency in basic math facts ('arithmetic combinations') by pairing unknown computation items with a steadily increasing collection of known items. This intervention makes use of concentrated practice to promote fluency and guarantees that the student will experience a high rate of success.

Writing Supports

Sentence Combining - Students are presented with kernel sentences and given explicit instruction in how to weld these kernel sentences into more diverse sentence types either by using connecting words to combine multiple sentences into one or by isolating key information from an otherwise superfluous sentence and embedding that important information into the base sentence.

Collaborative Writing - Students work on their writing in pairs or groups at various stages of the writing process: planning (pre-writing), drafting, revising, editing.

Spelling Cover-Copy-Compare - The student is given a sheet containing words to practice. The student studies each word on the sheet, covers the word  briefly and copies it from memory, then compares the student-copied word to the original correct model.

RESOURCES

DSD Teaching and Learning

Intervention Central Academic Interventions 

Explicit Instruction

Call Parent or Note Home - Too often teachers may only call home when a student has misbehaved or there is concern about the student. Calling or sending a note home to inform parents of the good behaviors or successes that a student has can be rewarding to the student and increase the positive acknowledgement that they receive at home and at school. This should also be tied to a tracker. 

Negative Punishment - The act of removing something (privileges) in order to decrease behaviors (aggression/bullying). This is typically more effective if the student is very aware of specific behaviors that will lead to specific consequences (If/then). (card flip strategy, take away unstructured/free time). Furthermore, to be effective it must be determined that the loss of the desired object/activity is truly preferred by the student. For many students, even a minute lost of recess or unstructured time, is effective for some misbehaviors. The specifics of the misbehavior should dictate an appropriate amount of loss of time. 

Referral to the Office - If a student’s behavior reaches a sufficient level of intensity, disruptiveness, or danger, it may be appropriate to refer a student to the office. The administrator can then provide an appropriate consequence to the student.

Restorative Justice Circles

The purpose of restorative justice circles is to help improve or repair the relationship between the victim(s) and those who committed the offense. Examples of when restorative practices can be used are bullying, stealing, lying, vandalism, etc.

The principle behind these practices are to help the offender(s) be able to fully realize any damage that they have caused and become more empathetic to anyone who was harmed by their actions. It is important that the focus should always remain on the unacceptable actions/behaviors rather than the person themselves. The purpose is not to determine or discuss whether or not they are a good or bad person.

These practices can be done in multiple different ways and settings and it is up to the school team/administrator to determine which approach would be most appropriate. The settings range anywhere from large group conferences, where the victim(s), offender(s), and family and friends can attend, to a small group discussion where the victim and offender may not even meet. The conference/discussions should be completed by a neutral, 3^rd party participant.

Resources

Classroom Circles Manual

Restorative Practice Ideas for your classroom

International Institute for Restorative Practices

Restorative Practice

Room Clear – If a student is having a tantrum, it may reach a level where they are a danger to other students. The tantrum may also be worsened by having an audience, or may be distressing to other students. In these cases, it may be best to clear the room of the other students.

Stop, Walk, & Talk - This is an excellent program which helps to teach students bullying prevention strategies. 

Resources and references

www.pbisworld.com

Intervention Central Behavior Interventions 

Kids Against Bullying   

Bully Prevention in Positive Behavior Support 

It is normal is for children to show some levels anxiety and depression--requiring some help--yet not actually having a full blown Anxiety Disorder or Depression. 

Anxiety and Depression may actually manifest itself in simple ways that you have not considered. Here are some common examples:

Anxiety

• hesitancy or refusal to go to school
• nervousness in new situations
• unwillingness to leave your side

Depression

• feeling alone
• not interested in playing games
• unusually moody or emotional

Active or Reflective Listening - Reflect what the student says to you, back towards them. This is accomplished to help the student feel supported and validated and also know that that there is a caring adult within the building. (reflective listening)

Call Parent or Note Home - Too often teachers may only call home when a student has misbehaved or there is concern about the student. Calling or sending a note home to inform parents of the good behaviors or successes that a student has can be rewarding to the student and increase the positive acknowledgement that they receive at home and at school. It is important to notify a parent whenever you feel there is a concern. Having consistent communication across multiple settings can help to create a supportive structure for the student. 

Classwork Accommodations - This can be accomplished multiple ways. One common way is to decrease the workload that is required, or even breaking down the assignment into smaller more manageable parts. Another option is to allow the student alternative methods of completing the assignment. This is all done as a way to help the student feel, and be, more successful.

Deep Breathing - This is an intervention that can be effective in calming a student down who might feel anxious. To be most effective, it should be used early when a student is demonstrating signals of anxiety, stress, or frustration (e.g., heavy breathing, clenched fists, crying).

SPACE Treatment - Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) is a parent-based treatment program for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related problems. This is an intervention focused on working with parents to change behavior that may contribute to behavior associated with anxiety or obsessive compulsive disorder. It can be done as formal therapy but there are also books and other resources that can be used in working with parents on implementing strategies for helping their child.

Take a Break - taking a break can be built in multiple times throughout the day to help get the student back on track or even just as needed. There should be a plan in place for what this should look like. Where will the student be? How long will the break last? What will the student be expected to do while taking that break? You should also document how often the student needs to take a break so that you can track/monitor any progress or regression.

Teach Relaxation Techniques - Providing students with techniques to cope with anxiety or depression may help reduce the symptoms of physical discomfort.

The SafeUT Crisis Text and Tip Line is a statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through texting and a confidential tip program – right from your smartphone.

SafeUT link 

References and resources

www.pbisworld.com

WorryWiseKids  

Anxiety Disorders Association of America 

Separation Anxiety 

Students may be chronically absent for various reasons with significant consequences. While schools may not have control over many of the factors contributing to absenteeism, they should work hard to help students improve their attendance. At the tier 1 level schools should strive to create an engaging climate where students feel safe and supported. If absenteeism is a problem school-wide it may be beneficial to consider a school-wide approach. At the individual student level, In order to appropriately address the problem, a functional behavioral assessment could be conducted to identify causal factors of the absenteeism. For example, the student may be absent due to social anxiety, academic failure, bullying, illness, mental health issues, conflicts with a job, or difficulties with housing/food. Each of these problems would necessitate a different intervention to address it. A few targeted interventions include the following:

Action plan - Based on a functional based assessment to determine the student's reason for absenteeism, a team may identify a formal plan to address that intervention. Attendance Works provides a framework of strategies to address absenteeism. They have student attendance success plans for K-12 (in English and Spanish) and several strategies and tools for addressing attendance at all tiers of support.

Adult Mentor - One of the factors most highly correlated with student success if having regular interaction with a caring adult. Mentor programs provide a student with that adult, who checks in with the student on a regular basis, to provide any needed support and encouragement as well as problem-solve issues the student may be facing.

Behavior Intervention Plan for Attendance - from PBISworld.com, this tool guides you in the development of an appropriate BIP based on the function of the attendance issues (why they are missing). The fillable word document

Engage parents - Parents are key to getting students to school. In some cases parents may contribute to the absenteeism, but in other cases parents may not know how to support their child. Sharing ideas with parents on how to help their child attend can help in many cases. 

For information regarding Davis School District's attendance policy, please click here.

Students that struggle with poor coping skills often struggle with being very reactive to situations and may become sad or angry quickly/easily. This may occur multiple times a day or infrequently. 

Active or Reflective Listening - Reflect what the student says to you, back towards them. This is accomplished to help the student feel supported and validated and also know that that there is a caring adult within the building. (reflective listening)

Check-In Check-Out - A highly researched and effective intervention, Check-In, Check-Out consists of a student checking in with an identified adult (e.g., counselor) to review their behavior goals, teachers providing feedback throughout the day, and the student checking out with the identified adult. The student takes the sheet home to be signed by the parent. This intervention provides the student with frequent self-analysis of his/her behavior and consequences for good behavior.

Take a Break - If you're finding that the student is displaying emotion that doesn't match the situation, taking a break can be built in multiple times throughout the day to help get the student back on track or even just as needed. There should be a plan in place for what this should look like. Where will the student be? How long will the break last? What will the student be expected to do while taking that break? You should also document how often the student needs to take a break so that you can track/monitor any progress or regression. 

Teach Specific Social Skills - Students often have difficulty expressing, or even identifying, specific emotions. Specifically teaching behavior strategies as well as how to identify emotions in themselves and others may help. To further strengthen the expected behaviors, have the student track and monitor these behaviors throughout the day. The behaviors tracked should be limited to no more than 3.  Several lessons can be found to address specific social skills including hygiene, manners, listening, appropriate touch, turn-taking, etc.

Social Skills Curricula - If you are looking for a more comprehensive social skills curricula, there are several research-based options. Zones of Regulation, Think Social, Superflex, and Superheroes Social Skills are all currently available in Davis School District through your school psychologist or counselor.

Social Stories - compiled by the Davis School District Special Education Department

References and resources

www.pbisworld.com

Minecraft 5 point scale example 

Smart but Scattered Kids 

Defiance often appears as verbal or nonverbal protesting, tantrums, and even lashing out at others. Defiance may or may not include physical/verbal aggression.

The Better Reprimand

Incentives and Token Economy - Similar to positive praise, reinforcing a student incentives and/or tangible objects or time allowed to do a preferred activity is one of the most effective interventions at our disposal. This can be completed with an individual student, but is also very effective as a classwide, and school-wide support. Before beginning a token economy, first work with the student(s) to create a menu of options that they may find reinforcing. These options should be inexpensive and easy to give.

As discussed in the Tough Kid Tool Box, (Rhode, Jenson, Reavis, 2010) remember to:

1. Keep it simple
2. Keep it inexpensive
3. Make sure it can be given immediately
4. Make sure the child doesn't have an alternative way to get that incentive
5. Make sure it won't make things worse (e.g. toys that encourage aggressive behavior)
6. Make sure it doesn't make take too much times to give the reward

Negative Punishment - The act of removing something (privileges) in order to decrease behaviors (aggression/bullying). This is typically more effective if the student is very aware of specific behaviors that will lead to specific consequences (If/then). (Card Flip Strategy, Take Away Unstructured/Free Time). Furthermore, to be effective it must be determined that the loss of the desired object/activity is truly preferred by the student. For many students, even a minute lost of recess or unstructured time, is effective for some misbehaviors. The specifics of the misbehavior should dictate an appropriate amount of loss of time. 

The No! Protocol

Provide Multiple Choices - Providing options to the student helps to increase the probability of fewer defiant behaviors by decreasing power struggles, and helping to empower and engage the student. This is often most effective when done to prevent behaviors from occurring rather than after they have already become defiant. (offering students choices)

Behavior Momentum - Students who don't respond to requests may be more successful if they first engage in higher probability requests. For example, if a student is laying on the ground refusing to return to her seat, you might start by asking them to simply count to 5. Then after a few moments, the student might be asked to sit up. Subsequent steps approximate the desired behavior (sitting in seat). 

Positive Reinforcement (Praise) - Positive praise is a great way to help build trust and rapport, as well as student buy in. It also helps to increase confidence within the student as well as build resilience. It's often effective if the praise is in a ratio of 3 or 4 to 1. It's important to note that it is helpful to first ensure that the student can complete the task that you aren't wanting to track and praise. 

Precision Requests
This strategy really helps with limiting parent frustration when their child is being non-compliant (AKA naughty, trouble maker, or disobedient). Instead of getting into a power struggle, this strategy uses a healthy dose of ignoring while still being the parent. Here it goes:

• When you want your child to do something (for example, get started on their homework), say to them "Please, get started on your homework" or "Alright, please turn off the TV and get started on today's homework." The Key word is Please.
• After 2 minutes have passed, come back and see what has happened. If they still have yet to engage in their homework then say "I need you to start your homework, or (insert consequence)." Key word is Need. Leave room for 2 minutes. 
• If they still have not engaged in their homework, then give consequence.

Restorative Justice Circles

The purpose of restorative justice circles is to help improve or repair the relationship between the victim(s) and those who committed the offense. Examples of when restorative practices can be used are bullying, stealing, lying, vandalism, etc.

The principle behind these practices are to help the offender(s) be able to fully realize any damage that they have caused and become more empathetic to anyone who was harmed by their actions. It is important that the focus should always remain on the unacceptable actions/behaviors rather than the person themselves. The purpose is not to determine or discuss whether or not they are a good or bad person.

These practices can be done in multiple different ways and settings and it is up to the school team/administrator to determine which approach would be most appropriate. The settings range anywhere from large group conferences, where the victim(s), offender(s), and family and friends can attend, to a small group discussion where the victim and offender may not even meet. The conference/discussions should be completed by a neutral, 3^rd party participant.

Resources

Classroom Circles Manual

Restorative Practice Ideas for your classroom

International Institute for Restorative Practices

Restorative Practice

Tier III Behavior Intervention for Tantrums (including problems with student lying on the floor) - Unfortunately, students tantruming behaviors may escalate to the point where you need a much more structured and targeted approach. Attached is a copy of a step by step intervention guide for supporting a student that may be struggling with tantrums in the classroom.

References and Resources

DSD Special Education Support/Resources page

www.pbisworld.com

Intervention Central Behavior Interventions 

Kids Against Bullying   

Bully Prevention in Positive Behavior Support

Executive Functioning can be explained in many different ways. It is a broad term used to describe many cognitive functions with the purpose of regulating behavior, which can include emotional regulation, organization, planning, memory, and more. Executive functioning expert Dr. Russell Barkley has stated "we can think of the executive functions simply as those capacities for self-control that allow us to sustain action for problem solving toward a goal. So it's goal-directed problem solving and goal-directed persistence."  Executive Functioning can be broken up into multiple different areas:

Daily Planner – Giving a students a daily planner can help them be organized by helping them schedule, keep track of assignments, and take greater ownership in their education.

The Executives – For students who have executive functioning deficits across many areas, it may be beneficial to use a comprehensive set of lessons. The Executives was developed by Joe Viskochil and includes 36 lessons in the areas of organization, goal setting, self-monitoring, and engagement.

Graphic Organizer for note taking - Sometimes students may need a tool to help organize their thoughts during classroom instruction. Graphic organizers can be an effective way to fullfill that purpose as well as helping the student organize their ideas and potential questions that they may have.

Elementary Graphic Organizer

Cornell Note Taking Template

Organize Materials Daily – Having a time set aside each day for a student to organize (their backpack, desk, or locker) can help them stay on top of being organized and not wait until it is overwhelming.

Teach Specific Social Skills - Specifically teaching behavior strategies as well as how to identify emotions in themselves and others may help. To further strengthen the expected behaviors, have the student track and monitor these behaviors throughout the day. The behaviors tracked should be limited to no more than 3.  Several lessons can be found to address specific social skills including hygiene, manners, listening, appropriate touch, turn-taking, etc.

Social Skills Curricula - If you are looking for a more comprehensive social skills curricula, there are several research-based options. Zones of Regulation, Think Social, Superflex, and Superheroes Social Skills are all currently available in Davis School District through your school psychologist or counselor.

Social Stories - compiled by the Davis School District Special Education Department

RESOURCES

Executive Functioning Activities (Age 5-7, Age 7-12)

DSD Special Education Support/Resources page

Accommodations for Executive Functioning

Minecraft 5 point scale example 

Smart but Scattered Kids

Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD of Utah) 

Helping the student with ADHD in the classroom 

Executive Functioning at a Glance   

Executive Function 101--free e-book   

Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills from Infancy to Adolescence 

Smart but Scattered Kids

Hyperactivity can be difficult to manage in the classroom. It often appears as the the student is always "on the go" or " driven by a motor". They often fidget frequently or seemingly non-stop, and can be easily distracted. Behaviors may also appear to be defiant and/or aggressive though not intended as such.

Behavior Tracker - Creating a daily behavior tracker can help the student, as well as all adults involved, monitor student progress towards 1-3 behavior goals that have been taught to the student. It helps provide additional structure and motivation for the student. Behavior trackers should be reviewed, ideally at least at the start and end of each school day and may need to be reviewed more often if needed. Trackers should also be tied to appropriate reinforcement options as well as potential consequences. 

Check-In Check-Out - A highly researched and effective intervention, Check-In, Check-Out consists of a student checking in with an identified adult (e.g., counselor) to review their behavior goals, teachers providing feedback throughout the day, and the student checking out with the identified adult. The student takes the sheet home to be signed by the parent. This intervention provides the student with frequent self-analysis of his/her behavior and consequences for good behavior.

Classwork Accommodations - Some students get overwhelmed by too much information or requests that are perceived to be difficult. Breaking down an assignment or task demand can help alleviate this feeling and build behavioral momentum to comply with subsequent requests or task demands This can be accomplished multiple ways. One common way is to decrease the workload that is required, or even breaking down the assignment into smaller more manageable parts. Another option is to allow the student alternative methods of completing the assignment. This is all done as a way to help the student feel, and be, more successful.

Seating Disk – Some students may need additional stimulus to help them focus. A seating disk or other stimulating seat may help the student focus and thus stay in their seat longer.

Take a Break- taking a break can be built in multiple times throughout the day to help get the student back on track or even just as needed. There should be a plan in place for what this should look like. Where will the student be? How long will the break last? What will the student be expected to do while taking that break? You should also document how often the student needs to take a break so that you can track/monitor any progress or regression.

References and resources

PBISworld.com 

Free Behavior Tracking Forms and Charts -

Intervention Central Behavior Interventions 

Teaching self-control skills

There is often a lot of overlap between students who show impulsivity vs hyperactivity. Students may appear very fidgety, and may have trouble waiting for their turn or even transitions. They may often struggle with talk outs and/or staying in their seats. It's important that students with these struggles are taught the expected behaviors multiple times and that antecedents are identified to help prevent any potential future and preventable failures that they may have.

Behavior Tracker - Creating a daily behavior tracker can help the student, as well as all adults involved, monitor student progress towards 1-3 behavior goals that have been taught to the student. It helps provide additional structure and motivation for the student. Behavior trackers should be reviewed, ideally at least at the start and end of each school day and may need to be reviewed more often if needed. Trackers should also be tied to appropriate reinforcement options as well as potential consequences. 

My Time May Be Your Time - This procedure allows students to earn free time if they complete work but may lose time during unstructured time (recess, class break) if they disrupt academic time or do not complete the required amount of work.

Routines - This is an intervention that also appears in the "classwide supports" tab listed above, but definitely benefits the individual student struggling with impulsivity issues. It helps to provide the entire classroom with more predictability which in turns helps to alleviate potential stress and anxiety. Adding structure to instructional activities or transitions can help students understand what behavior is expected. Having a visible schedule as part of that can help students anticipate the amount of time engaged in an activity and maintain focus for the time necessary. Routines should be visibly posted, simple, clear, and able to be completed independently by the student. Working in a timer as well as warnings before transitions can also be beneficial. (see more about routines)

Take a Break - taking a break can be built in multiple times throughout the day to help get the student back on track or even just as needed. There should be a plan in place for what this should look like. Where will the student be? How long will the break last? What will the student be expected to do while taking that break? You should also document how often the student needs to take a break so that you can track/monitor any progress or regression.

Teach Specific Social Skills - Specifically teaching behavior strategies as well as how to identify emotions in themselves and others may help. To further strengthen the expected behaviors, have the student track and monitor these behaviors throughout the day. The behaviors tracked should be limited to no more than 3.  Several lessons can be found to address specific social skills including hygiene, manners, listening, appropriate touch, turn-taking, etc.

Social Skills Curricula - If you are looking for a more comprehensive social skills curricula, there are several research-based options. Zones of Regulation, Think Social, Superflex, and Superheroes Social Skills are all currently available in Davis School District through your school psychologist or counselor.

Social Stories - compiled by the Davis School District Special Education Department

Use of Timer - Using a timer is effective to not only allow the student to help monitor their own behaviors but also helps to alleviate potential stress so that they can be better prepared for any future and/or immediate transitions. It can also help increase executive functioning skills related to planning, organization, and monitoring work as well as behaviors. 

References and resources

PBISworld.com 

Students who appear inattentive may be frequently off-task or distracted. Working memory may also be a concern, as multiple step directions can be difficult, and they often appear forgetful. They may ask to have things repeated frequently and may appear lost and/or disorganized.

Behavior Tracker - Creating a daily behavior tracker can help the student, as well as all adults involved, monitor student progress towards 1-3 behavior goals that have been taught to the student. It helps provide additional structure and motivation for the student. Behavior trackers should be reviewed, ideally at least at the start and end of each school day and may need to be reviewed more often if needed. Trackers should also be tied to appropriate reinforcement options as well as potential consequences. 

Classwork Accommodations - Some students get overwhelmed by too much information or requests that are perceived to be difficult. Breaking down an assignment or task demand can help alleviate this feeling and build behavioral momentum to comply with subsequent requests or task demands This can be accomplished multiple ways. One common way is to decrease the workload that is required, or even breaking down the assignment into smaller more manageable parts. Another option is to allow the student alternative methods of completing the assignment. This is all done as a way to help the student feel, and be, more successful.

Graphic Organizer for note taking - Sometimes students may need a tool to help organize their thoughts during classroom instruction. Graphic organizers can be an effective way to fullfill that purpose as well as helping the student organize their ideas and potential questions that they may have.

Elementary Graphic Organizer

Cornell Note Taking Template

Mystery Motivator - This can be done individually or with a classroom of students. Preferred incentives are identified (e.g., prizes, free time, access to preferred objects) and provided contingent on the student(s) earning a pre-determined number of points.

Routines - This is an intervention that also appears in the "classwide supports" tab listed above, but definitely benefits the individual student struggling with impulsivity issues. It helps to provide the entire classroom with more predictability which in turns helps to alleviate potential stress and anxiety. Routines should be visibly posted, simple, clear, and able to be completed independently by the student. Working in a timer as well as warnings before transitions can also be beneficial. (Please click on classwide supports listed above to see more about routines)

Use of timer - Using a timer is effective to not only allow the student to help monitor their own behaviors but also helps to alleviate potential stress so that they can be better prepared for any future and/or immediate transitions. It can also help increase executive functioning skills related to planning, organization, and monitoring work as well as behaviors. 

References and resources

PBISworld.com 

If your student struggles with language concerns, not to be confused with english as a second language concerns, this can be difficult to find suitable supports and interventions alone. Each school has a Speech Language Pathologist that will be willing to help and support the student and teacher. Please click here to find out more information related to the SLP assigned to your building.

Talk with your child frequently
Ask and answer questions about things happening in their environment.
Read to your child.  Read a variety of books. Ask questions about the story. 
Talk about what you are doing. (cooking dinner, washing dinner, bath time, cleaning, etc.)
Give directions for your child to follow (e.g., making cookies) 
Expand what the child is saying by adding a little more information.  If the child says "car go" you could say "see the car go".
Waiting gives children time to respond to your utterances.
Talk about how things are alike and different.
Give your child reasons and opportunities to write.
Sing songs.
Teach children Nursery Rhymes.

Language Milestones:
Birth to 1 year              http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/chart/
1 year to 2 years          http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/12.htm
2 years to 3 years        http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/23.htm
3 years to 4 years        http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/34.htm
4 years to 5 years        http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/45.htm

Students who struggle with organization may, as a result, have lower grades and interpersonal challenges. The use of some simple strategies may help some students. In some cases, students may have significant executive functioning deficits and may require more intensive training and supports to help them learn to organize their time, schedules, and materials.

Behavior Tracker - Creating a daily behavior tracker can help the student, as well as all adults involved, monitor student progress towards 1-3 behavior goals that have been taught to the student. It helps provide additional structure and motivation for the student. Behavior trackers should be reviewed, ideally at least at the start and end of each school day and may need to be reviewed more often if needed. Trackers should also be tied to appropriate reinforcement options as well as potential consequences. 

Break Down Assignment – Some students may feel overwhelmed by too much information or large projects. Breaking an assignment or behavior down into parts can make it more manageable for the student.

Daily Planner – Giving a students a daily planner can help them be organized by helping them schedule, keep track of assignments, and take greater ownership in their education.

Graphic Organizer for note taking - Sometimes students may need a tool to help organize their thoughts during classroom instruction. Graphic organizers can be an effective way to fullfill that purpose as well as helping the student organize their ideas and potential questions that they may have.

Elementary Graphic Organizer

Cornell Note Taking Template

The Executives – For students who have executive functioning deficits across many areas, it may be beneficial to use a comprehensive set of lessons. The Executives was developed by Joe Viskochil and includes 36 lessons in the areas of organization, goal setting, self-monitoring, and engagement.

Organize Materials Daily – Having a time set aside each day for a student to organize (their backpack, desk, or locker) can help them stay on top of being organized and not wait until it is overwhelming.

Some classrooms may have a flexible structure to seating while other classrooms may require greater structure. This is dictated by several factors including type of instructional activities, student behaviors, student developmental level, and classroom space available. Students may engage in out-of-seat behavior to get out of work, to get peer attention, or to get some other form of stimulation (out of boredom). Proactively identifying the reason for the student being out of seat may lead to an appropriate intervention.

Behavior Tracker - Creating a daily behavior tracker can help the student, as well as all adults involved, monitor student progress towards 1-3 behavior goals that have been taught to the student. It helps provide additional structure and motivation for the student. Behavior trackers should be reviewed, ideally at least at the start and end of each school day and may need to be reviewed more often if needed. Trackers should also be tied to appropriate reinforcement options as well as potential consequences. 

Mystery Motivator - This can be done individually or with a classroom of students. Preferred incentives are identified (e.g., prizes, free time, access to preferred objects) and provided contingent on the student(s) earning a pre-determined number of points.

Routines - This is an intervention that also appears in the "classwide supports" tab listed above, but definitely benefits the individual student struggling with impulsivity issues. It helps to provide the entire classroom with more predictability which in turns helps to alleviate potential stress and anxiety. Adding structure to instructional activities or transitions can help students understand what behavior is expected. Having a visible schedule as part of that can help students anticipate the amount of time engaged in an activity and maintain focus for the time necessary. Routines should be visibly posted, simple, clear, and able to be completed independently by the student. Working in a timer as well as warnings before transitions can also be beneficial.

Seating Disk – Some students may need additional stimulus to help them focus. A seating disk or other stimulating seat may help the student focus and thus stay in their seat longer.

Take a Break - If a student frequently gets out of his/her seat, it may be helpful to allow the student to take a break from work or sitting within an allowed structure. This allows the teacher to set limits to the behavior and teach the student to still only get out of seat with permission.

Perfectionism can come from a combination of genetic and environmental factors and can lead to high levels of anxiety. Interventions for addressing anxiety on this page should be considered. Perfectionism may be the result of feeling stress at meeting unrealistic standards and/or fear of the consequences of failure. The Centre for Clinical Interventions (Australia) defines perfectionism as having three components: 

"Firstly, the relentless striving for extremely high standards for yourself and/or others that are personally demanding. Secondly, judging your self-worth based largely on your ability to strive for and achieve such unrelenting standards. Thirdly, experiencing negative consequences of setting such demanding standards, yet continuing to go for them despite the huge cost to you."

Growth Mindset - A growth mindset can be helpful to teach and model for students. It is the idea that our success is tied to our effort rather than innate ability. Individuals who have a growth mindset show greater perseverance in the face of challenges and patience with failure ("I haven't learned how to do this...yet."). We can teach students to have this mindset by praising effort over absolute performance (e.g., "You worked really hard on that problem"). Praising a student's good performance with a statement such as "you are so smart" may inadvertently communicate that had the student not performed well it would mean they're not smart.

Group/Individual Counseling - Students may benefit from ongoing group or individual counseling in which they are supported in understanding the source of their perfectionism, counter-productive thoughts and behaviors, and strategies for replacing those thoughts and behaviors with more productive thoughts and behaviors. The Centre for Clinical Interventions has created modules that can be used to guide the user through helpful activities and discussion items: 

Perfectionism in Perspective

1. What is Perfectionism
2. Understanding Perfectionism
3. What Keeps Perfectionism Going
4. Changing Perfectionism
5. Reducing my Perfectionist Behavior
6. Challenging My Perfectionistic Thinking
7. Adjusting Unhelpful Rules and Assumptions
8. Re-evaluating the Importance of Achieving
9. Putting it All Together

Teaching Coping Skills - If a student experiences anxiety due to perfectionism it may be helpful to teach them coping skills. This may include using social maps to identify events that cause the student to feel anxiety, predict their response to the events, and identify alternative responses that can be employed in the future. The Zones of Regulation curriculum has some examples of social mapping and there should be a copy in every school. Please contact your school's school psychologist for more information.

Selective mutism is categorized as an anxiety disorder that impacts a student's ability to speak and communicate in specific social settings, such as school. They may speak regularly at home or other settings, and may even speak with certain individuals at school. Individuals with selective mutism often have other co-morbid concerns such as anxiety and/or depression, and so it is important to be as systemic as possible when supporting these individuals. Language barriers should also be ruled out in order to determine if the student is physically capable of communicating verbally. Interventions should include parents, the student, and key staff members within the building so that the plan is adequately carried out where needed.

It's often suggested that the student meet with their teacher and go through the intervention plan before school or even during the summer (if possible) so that the student is comfortable and aware of what they need to do in order to communicate their wants and needs. It can also be helpful to give the student options for how to communicate non-verbally and have a plan for fading out that method as appropriate. Examples of this can be raising a hand, writing out requests/answers, whispering to a trusted peer or staff member, or having the teacher adjust their questioning strategies so that the student is allowed to answer/participate non-verbally or with fewer words. Responses from the child should be reinforced regularly but also in a way that is comfortable with the child (e.g., if public acknowledgement makes them uncomfortable, you may want to use a different reinforcement method). Reinforcement should progressively focus more on verbal and less on non-verbal as the student becomes more proficient and comfortable. This should be discussed as a team before implementing the intervention.

Call Parent or Note Home - Too often teachers may only call home when a student has misbehaved or there is concern about the student. Calling or sending a note home to inform parents of the good behaviors or successes that a student has can be rewarding to the student and increase the positive acknowledgement that they receive at home and at school. It is important to notify a parent whenever you feel there is a concern. Having consistent communication across multiple settings can help to create a supportive structure for the student. 

Classwork Accommodations - This can be accomplished multiple ways. One common way is to decrease the workload that is required, or even breaking down the assignment into smaller more manageable parts. Another option is to allow the student alternative methods of completing the assignment. This is all done as a way to help the student feel, and be, more successful.

Positive Reinforcement (Praise) - Positive praise is a great way to help build trust and rapport, as well as student buy in. It also helps to increase confidence within the student as well as build resilience. It's often effective if the praise is in a ratio of 3 or 4 to 1. It's important to note that it is helpful to first ensure that the student can complete the task that you aren't wanting to track and praise. 

Teach Specific Social Skills - Students often have difficulty expressing, or even identifying, specific emotions. Specifically teaching behavior strategies as well as how to identify emotions in themselves and others may help. To further strengthen the expected behaviors, have the student track and monitor these behaviors throughout the day. The behaviors tracked should be limited to no more than 3.  Several lessons can be found to address specific social skills including hygiene, manners, listening, appropriate touch, turn-taking, etc.

Social Skills Curricula - If you are looking for a more comprehensive social skills curricula, there are several research-based options. Zones of Regulation, Think Social, Superflex, and Superheroes Social Skills are all currently available in Davis School District through your school psychologist or counselor.

Social Stories - compiled by the Davis School District Special Education Department

For more information on what supports you can offer as an educator, please click here.

Students may have low self-esteem for a number of reasons including depression, anxiety, persistent negative feedback (from self or others), or trauma. One should be careful to look for flags of abuse, neglect, or trauma in a student. In some cases, students may experience frequent academic failures which may lead to negative self-talk. In addition to using some of the strategies below, it would be beneficial to provide additional academic support to help the student have more academic success (see academic section of supports).

Assign a Buddy or Partner – In some cases a student’s lack of positive relationships with peers may contribute to a low self-esteem. Assigning a buddy or peer who can provide encouraging or friendly interactions may alleviate some of the negative feelings the student experiences. If the student lacks social skills to make friends, it may be beneficial to teach them social skills (see social skills section).

Call Parent or Note Home – Too often teachers may only call home when a student has misbehaved or there is concern about the student. Calling or sending a note home to inform parents of the good behaviors or successes that a student has can be rewarding to the student and increase the positive acknowledgement that they receive at home and at school.

Positive Praise – Low self-esteem may be a product, in part, of perceived low levels of success by the student. Providing frequent, genuine praise to students for good behaviors and academic performance can help offset some of the perceived failures by focusing on the successes of the student.

Teach Coping Skills - Students with low self-esteem may benefit from learning skills for coping with life stressors and challenges. Lessons may help the student learn how to cope with disappointment, anger, embarrassment, grief, and many other experiences that may contribute to low-self esteem

1. Identify injury and notify team
   • Escort student to a safe, secure, monitored place
   • Contact building administrator
   • Is there imminent risk?
     • How recent is the injury?
     • How severe is it?

     1.  Superficial? Frequency?

     2. If the extent of the injury is significant than contact the school nurse and/or dial 911

2. CCP w/Student and Family Resources department (if needed)
3. Collaborate with parent/guardian

   • Offer community resources contact information

   • Offer a Release of Information form to share information with medical/mental health professional

4. Establish Calendared Check-in /Check-out
5. Document in ENCORE
6. Follow-up in LCMT

A lack of social skills may come from a lack of exposure to appropriate social skills, or due to a difficulty in learning appropriate skills (e.g., due to a neurological disorder such as autism). Once the specific social skills that are needed is determined, the appropriate intervention can be selected.

Behavior Tracker - Creating a daily behavior tracker can help the student, as well as all adults involved, monitor student progress towards 1-3 behavior goals that have been taught to the student. It helps provide additional structure and motivation for the student. Behavior trackers should be reviewed, ideally at least at the start and end of each school day and may need to be reviewed more often if needed. Trackers should also be tied to appropriate reinforcement options as well as potential consequences. 

Check-In Check-Out - A highly researched and effective intervention, Check-In, Check-Out consists of a student checking in with an identified adult (e.g., counselor) to review their behavior goals, teachers providing feedback throughout the day, and the student checking out with the identified adult. The student takes the sheet home to be signed by the parent. This intervention provides the student with frequent self-analysis of his/her behavior and consequences for good behavior.

Teach Specific Social Skills - Specifically teaching behavior strategies as well as how to identify emotions in themselves and others may help. To further strengthen the expected behaviors, have the student track and monitor these behaviors throughout the day. The behaviors tracked should be limited to no more than 3.  Several lessons can be found to address specific social skills including hygiene, manners, listening, appropriate touch, turn-taking, etc.

Social Skills Curricula - If you are looking for a more comprehensive social skills curricula, there are several research-based options. Zones of Regulation, Think Social, Superflex, and Superheroes Social Skills are all currently available in Davis School District through your school psychologist or counselor.

Social Stories - compiled by the Davis School District Special Education Department

Additional Support

DSD Special Education Support/Resources page

Somatization includes complaints of physical pain or discomfort that have no physiological source. While there may not be a medical cause, the pain or discomfort may still be real to the individual. The symptoms may represent a physical manifestation of a cognitive discomfort (e.g., anxiety, guilt, fear) or sometimes can be used to distract from a misbehavior.

Classwork Accommodations - This can be accomplished multiple ways. One common way is to decrease the workload that is required, or even breaking down the assignment into smaller more manageable parts. Another option is to allow the student alternative methods of completing the assignment. This is all done as a way to help the student feel, and be, more successful.

Deep Breathing - This is an intervention that can be effective in calming a student down how might feel anxious. To be most effective, it should be used early when a student is demonstrating signals of anxiety, stress, or frustration (e.g., heavy breathing, clenched fists, crying).

Take a Break - taking a break can be built in multiple times throughout the day to help get the student back on track or even just as needed. There should be a plan in place for what this should look like. Where will the student be? How long will the break last? What will the student be expected to do while taking that break? You should also document how often the student needs to take a break so that you can track/monitor any progress or regression.

Teach Relaxation Techniques - Providing students with techniques to cope with anxiety or depression may help reduce the symptoms of physical discomfort.

Students may steal for a number of reasons. To determine the most appropriate intervention, you should first determine why the student is stealing (the function of the behavior). 

Check-In Check-Out - A highly researched and effective intervention, Check-In, Check-Out consists of a student checking in with an identified adult (e.g., counselor) to review their behavior goals, teachers providing feedback throughout the day, and the student checking out with the identified adult. The student takes the sheet home to be signed by the parent. This intervention provides the student with frequent self-analysis of his/her behavior and consequences for good behavior.

Clear, Consistent Consequences - Consequences can include reinforcement for good behavior or punishment for misbehavior. If a student misbehaves, a punishment in the form of a loss of a desired object or activity may reduce the likelihood of the misbehavior occurring in the future.

Negative Punishment - The act of removing something (privileges) in order to decrease behaviors (aggression/bullying). This is typically more effective if the student is very aware of specific behaviors that will lead to specific consequences (If/then). (Card Flip Strategy, Take Away Unstructured/Free Time). Furthermore, to be effective it must be determined that the loss of the desired object/activity is truly preferred by the student. For many students, even a minute lost of recess or unstructured time, is effective for some misbehaviors. The specifics of the misbehavior should dictate an appropriate amount of loss of time. 

Restorative Justice Circles

The purpose of restorative justice circles is to help improve or repair the relationship between the victim(s) and those who committed the offense. Examples of when restorative practices can be used are bullying, stealing, lying, vandalism, etc.

The principle behind these practices are to help the offender(s) be able to fully realize any damage that they have caused and become more empathetic to anyone who was harmed by their actions. It is important that the focus should always remain on the unacceptable actions/behaviors rather than the person themselves. The purpose is not to determine or discuss whether or not they are a good or bad person.

These practices can be done in multiple different ways and settings and it is up to the school team/administrator to determine which approach would be most appropriate. The settings range anywhere from large group conferences, where the victim(s), offender(s), and family and friends can attend, to a small group discussion where the victim and offender may not even meet. The conference/discussions should be completed by a neutral, 3^rd party participant.

Resources

Classroom Circles Manual

Restorative Practice Ideas for your classroom

International Institute for Restorative Practices

Restorative Practice

School Home Notes - Informing parents of student behavior or performance can help provide additional accountability and support from home, which can also motivate the student to improve behavior.

Take Away Unstructured/Free Time - For many students negative punishment, which is the loss of a desired item or activity that decreases the likelihood of a behavior occurring in the future, can be very effective in deterring misbehaviors in the future. To be effective it must be determined that the loss of the desired object/activity is truly preferred by the student. For many students, even a minute lost of recess or unstructured time, is effective for some misbehaviors. The specifics of the misbehavior should dictate an appropriate amount of loss of time.

Students may engage in swearing for various reasons including attention (positive or negative) from peers, to upset adults, or simply because they are in the habit of using curse words as part of their vocabulary. Once it is determined why the student is swearing, then an appropriate intervention can be selected. For example, if a student is swearing in order to get attention from peers, the student can be taught alternative, appropriate methods for getting peer attention while the effort is made to eliminate attention for the swearing.

Ignore Inappropriate Behavior - If a student swears in order to get attention, en effective intervention is planned ignoring, by taking away the thing that is reinforcing them (the attention). If it is peer attention that is reinforcing the swearing, it is important to try to remove that attention. This can be challenging but peers can be trained and provided an incentive for ignoring the swearing. In addition, acknowledging appropriate behavior can increase the likelihood that they'll use appropriate language.

Self-Monitoring - This can be a useful intervention particularly if the student is motivated to change their behavior. A student engages in two steps: 1) measurement (student records their own behavior); and evaluation (student compares their behavior with a pre-determined standard). Reinforcements can be tied to meeting the standard to increase motivation.

Teach Relaxation Techniques - If a student swears out of anger or frustration, it can be helpful to teach them relaxation techniques to help them deal with frustration situations so that they don't get to a level of frustration that invites swearing. 

Teach Substitute Words - It can be difficult to change behavior unless you provide an alternative replacement behavior. The replacement behavior should meet the same function. In the case of swearing, teaching a student alternative words to use can help them express frustration. Silly or humorous words can be effectively be used. 

As is the case with all behavior, a student engaged in tantrum behavior is doing so for a reason (to get something they want or avoid something they don’t want). For an intervention to effectively address the tantrum behavior you should first determine why they are engaged in the behavior (e.g., obtain attention, avoid work, obtain preferred activity).

Ignoring - If a student is engaged in a behavior for attention, it may be best to ignore the behavior, thus denying them the attention they’re seeking. This should only be done if the student is not a harm to themselves or others. Also, please be sure to teach by providing attention for appropriate behaviors so that the student doesn't learn to engage in worse behaviors to gain attention. 

Referral to the office - If a student’s behavior reaches a sufficient level of intensity, disruptiveness, or danger, it may be appropriate to refer a student to the office. The administrator can then provide an appropriate consequence to the student.

Room Clear – If a student is having a tantrum, it may reach a level where they are a danger to other students. The tantrum may also be worsened by having an audience, or may be distressing to other students. In these cases, it may be best to clear the room of the other students.

Teach Specific Social Skills - Specifically teaching behavior strategies as well as how to identify emotions in themselves and others may help. To further strengthen the expected behaviors, have the student track and monitor these behaviors throughout the day. The behaviors tracked should be limited to no more than 3.  Several lessons can be found to address specific social skills including hygiene, manners, listening, appropriate touch, turn-taking, etc.

Social Skills Curricula - If you are looking for a more comprehensive social skills curricula, there are several research-based options. Zones of Regulation, Think Social, Superflex, and Superheroes Social Skills are all currently available in Davis School District through your school psychologist or counselor.

Tier III Behavior Intervention for Tantrums (including problems with student lying on the floor) - Unfortunately, students tantruming behaviors may escalate to the point where you need a much more structured and targeted approach. Attached is a copy of a step by step intervention guide for supporting a student that may be struggling with tantrums in the classroom.

Additional Support

DSD Special Education Support/Resources page

Students may not complete work for several reasons including wanting to avoid work, being more motivated by something else (e.g., peer attention), or not having the skills to complete the work. You can determine whether it’s a lack of skill or lack of will by conducting a “Can’t/Won’t Do” assessment. If it's a lack of skill, an academic/instructional intervention may be best (see academic section of supports). If it’s determined that the student lacks the will (i.e., motivation), one of the following interventions may be appropriate.

Classwork accommodations - Some students get overwhelmed by too much information or requests that are perceived to be difficult. Breaking down an assignment or task demand can help alleviate this feeling and build behavioral momentum to comply with subsequent requests or task demands This can be accomplished multiple ways. One common way is to decrease the workload that is required, or even breaking down the assignment into smaller more manageable parts. Another option is to allow the student alternative methods of completing the assignment. This is all done as a way to help the student feel, and be, more successful.

Graphic Organizer for note taking - Sometimes students may need a tool to help organize their thoughts during classroom instruction. Graphic organizers can be an effective way to fullfill that purpose as well as helping the student organize their ideas and potential questions that they may have.

Elementary Graphic Organizer

Cornell Note Taking Template

My Time May Be Your Time - This procedure allows students to earn free time if they complete work but may lose time during unstructured time (recess, class break) if they disrupt academic time or do not complete the required amount of work.

Mystery Motivator - This can be done individually or with a classroom of students. Preferred incentives are identified (e.g., prizes, free time, access to preferred objects) and provided contingent on the student(s) earning a pre-determined number of points.

School Home Notes - Informing parents of student behavior or performance can help provide additional accountability and support from home, which can also motivate the student to improve behavior.

The physical organization of a classroom can set the stage for successful student behavior, or set students up to have behavior problems. Several factors for organization should be considered.

Classrooms should be designed to facilitate a typical day at school to help the students better engage in the classroom activities/assignments. Both staff and students should be able to move throughout the classroom without restriction, and there should be little to no areas where a student can no longer be easily observed.

The physical space should allow for the teacher to have close proximity to the student. A teacher should be able to move quickly across the room to provide instructional or behavioral support without being impeded significantly.

The most appropriate layout and level of flexibility of a classroom should be determined by a teacher with direction from administration. Factors to be considered include age of students, the size of the space and number of students, the typical behavior of students, and instructional activities the teacher plans on employing.

Routines and expectations should be listed visibly as should anything that may be linked to what is currently being taught . Plan ahead for areas that may potentially have high traffic or places of congestion.

Video models of elementary and secondary classrooms with effective structure and consistency

CHAMPS Organization Self-Assessment

Routines should be simple, clear, and easily completed independently by the students. While many need to be taught and reviewed often and practiced regularly, others be only needed to be reviewed as needed if they don't occur regularly. Plan ahead for known potential failures and have a routine prepared to teach the students. For example, having a routine for hand raising to prevent talk outs, how to request to go to the bathroom, and/or coming to class late without disrupting the rest of the students.

In addition to establishing routines to address predictable behavior failures, the routines must be taught well. The time to teach the routine is the first time that students encounter the activity for which the routine is developed. For example, the first time that students have to transition to a prep period would be a good time to teach them how to effectively and efficiently line up at the door, and travel through the hallway. The first time that students in a science class are given access to the science lab would be the best time to teach the the proper procedure for setting up their work space and cleaning up.

To teach a routine explicitly you may consider the following steps:

1. Provide a rationale for the routine. For example, proper set up of lab equipment will ensure safety and proper working order of the equipment.
2. Explain the steps to the routine.
3. Model the routine. You may provide examples and non-examples so students understand exactly what is expected.
4. Have students practice the routine. While this takes more time up front, practicing to proficiency will save a lot of time in the long run.
5. Review the procedure steps.

Throughout the year, the procedure may need to be reviewed depending on how well the students are performing the routine or if there is been a long time since the past performance of the routine. This template may be useful as you teach routines.

Video outlining how to establish and teach effective routines.

Video of teacher discussing and analyzing effective routines and procedures.

Similar to routines, expectations should be clear and easy to understand. School-wide expectations capture the general expectation for student behavior in common areas. These are discussed further in the school-wide portion of this webpage. Classroom rules should align with school-wide expectations but meet the specific needs of the classroom. To be effective, classroom rules should meet the following:

• Few - You should have 3-5 rules. More than that and it's difficult to remember.
• Measurable - You should be able to measure whether the rule is being followed or not.
• Observable - Can you see with your eyes when a student is complying with the rule?
• Positive - Rules should be positively stated (i.e., tell the student what to do, not what not to do).
• Simple - The rules should be easy to remember and developmentally appropriate.

Once effective rules are established, they should be taught explicitly to students. They should be taught in the first two weeks of school. In order to teach rules effectively, consider the following steps:

1. Read the rule
2. Discuss the importance
3. Role play (if needed)
4. Discuss what happens if they follow the rule (natural and planned reinforcers)
5. Discuss what happens if they don't follow the rule (a hierarchy of consequences starting with verbal warnings, loss of privileges, and then an office referral)

Case studies addressing classroom norms and expectations. Can be used for group discussion and training. 

Video outlining how to establish and teach effective routines

Video modeling communication of high expectations

CHAMPS Expectations Self-Assessment

Supervision is the physical act that requires a teacher to scan and move throughout the classroom to praise positive/expected behaviors, as well as correct any unexpected behaviors. Changing physical proximity to peers often helps to decrease and even prevent things like talk outs, off-task behaviors, and running out of the classroom unexpectedly. This also always for frequent brief check-ins and interactions between the teacher and students, which also promotes students ability to feel safe and connected to a positive and caring adult while at school.

Adult supervision is often an effective strategy for decreasing behavior problems in the hallway. The presence of an adult can be enough to improve behavior for most students. 

Self-assessment tool for evaluating your own monitoring and supervision of student behavior.

Video models of active supervision during group instruction.

Learning can only happen with student engagement. One of the best methods for engaging students is providing them with high opportunities to respond. This can include various forms including oral (e.g., choral, partner/small group discussion), written (e.g., guided notes, writing responses on mini-whiteboards) and action (e.g., holding up a number of fingers, response cards, performing a task, creating a product). Technology such as Nearpod and PollEverywhere can be used to facilitate and track student responses.

What response methods are used may depend on the type of instructional activity (e.g., cooperative learning, teacher-led) but when engaged in teacher-led instruction students should have several opportunities to respond per minute (Sprick, 2010)

Video models of providing students with varying opportunities to respond.

CHAMPS Opportunities to Respond monitoring form

Students should be consistently acknowledged for good behavior. Research indicates that students need at least a ratio of 4 positive acknowledgements for every 1 correction. Some students may need a ratio more like 10:1 to counter repeated failures or errors. This helps teach student appropriate and expected behavior and increases motivation to behave well in the future. It is recommended that students receive at least three-to-four positive acknowledgements for every corrective statement. This builds a ratio that sets the student up for success by experiencing more behavioral success than failure.

Use of reinforcement can increase the likelihood of students behavior well in the future. As outlined in The Tough Kid Book (Rhode, Jenson, Reavis, 2010) there are a few variables that make reinforcement effective, remembered by the acronym IFEED-AV:

Immediate - Students should be reinforced immediately. The longer you wait, the less effective the reinforcer, particularly with younger students.

Frequent - It is particularly important to reinforce a student frequently when they are learning a new behavior. The ratio of four positives for every one negative consequence will help the student learn the behavior and behave appropriately in the future.

Enthusiasm - A reinforcer should be delivered with enthusiasm, which communicates the level of importance and can increase the student's excitement for the reinforcement

Eye Contact - It is important to look the student in the eyes when delivering the reinforcer, suggesting the student is important and valued.

Describe - Teachers often assume the student knows what they did that resulting in reinforcement. It is important to describe the behavior for which they are being reinforced. This will increase the likelihood that they'll engage in that behavior in the future. This is especially important for younger or developmentally delayed students.

Anticipation - Building excitement for earning a reinforcer can motivate students. Building hype for a reinforcer potentially being earned, or presenting it in a mysterious way will help build anticipation.

Variety - Students can get tired of the same reinforcer over time. It is helpful to vary reinforcers frequently to keep reinforcement effective.

Ideas for classroom rewards

CHAMPS Motivation Checklist 

Video models of specific praise during group instruction

Research on student praise

Force Choice Reinforcer Assessment

Reinforcer Checklist

CHAMPS Ratio of Interactions Form

When asked, a teacher is typically able to identify predictable behavior failures: behavior problems that the teacher often encounters with students. When a misbehavior is anticipated or likely to happen, it can be helpful to pre-correct student behavior. Simply prompt the students about the appropriate behavior that you expect to see and communicate the expectation for performance. Effective prompts should be:

1. Preventative - take place before the behavior response occurs
2. Understandable - the prompt must be understood by the student
3. Observable - the student must distinguish when the prompt is present
4. Specific and explicit - describe the expected behavior (and link to the appropriate expectation)

One additional strategy that can help in setting students up for behavioral success is the use of Precision Requests. When making a precision request, follow these steps:

1. Make first request: "Please..."; wait 5 seconds and reinforce if student complies.
2. Make second request: "I need..." with warning of consequence; wait 5 seconds and reinforce if student complies.
3. Deliver consequence for non-compliance.

Prompts, pre-corrections, and precision-requests will set a student up to behave appropriately. However, even with effective classroom rules that have been taught explicitly, students may still commit behavior errors. Effective correction of errors teaches the student the expected behavior and provides them an opportunity to practice the behavior and receive feedback. At its most basic level, an error correction can simply be a reminder to the student of the rule. For mild to moderate social skills and procedural errors, the use of a one-minute skill builder can be effective. The steps to a one-minute skill builder are:

1. Expression of rapport (student’s name)
2. Description of inappropriate and appropriate behavior
3. Request for acknowledgement and practice
4. Feedback/end on a positive

For more egregious behavioral errors, it may be necessary to implement a more intensive intervention such as a behavior tracker, check-in/check-out, or social skills instruction.

Video models of correcting student behavior

Ideas for avoiding power struggles 

CHAMPS Correction Checklist

Good Behavior Game

The "Good Behavior Game" is a method to manage classroom behaviors in a fun and rewarding way. Teachers reward students for on-task behaviors during instructional time.

How to do it:

1. Pick a time when you will want to play the game. Ideally, the game is played during specific times in the week where expected behaviors are most important. Playing too often and too long within the week, and especially day, can minimize the positive effects of the game.

2. Set up the rules. Figure out what behaviors will earn students points and what negative behaviors will result in undesired consequences.

3. Determine what rewards students will be working towards. Consider using a menu or reward options that potentially rotate as the year moves on.

4. Teach the game. Ensure that the students understand the rules and expectations of the game very clearly.

5. Play the game

Classroom Behavior Management Plan - This plan provides teachers with a template for identifying the critical practices for consideration in effective classroom management, including teaching expectations, monitoring behavior, reinforcing behavior, and correcting behavioral errors.

Differential Reinforcement - This is a systematic plan to praise behaviors in order to decrease a non-desirable behavior. This can be completed multiple different ways. The most common way to achieve this is to reinforce an alternative behavior, or a replacement behavior. In other words, reward the student for completing a desirable behavior, and potentially one that replaces targeted undesirable behavior. An example of this is rewarding a student for raising their hand while also ignoring talk outs. You can also change your rates of reinforcement based on what is effective to the student's needs. 

For more information please see the Least Restrictive Behavioral Interventions manual, pages 74-76.

Class Dojo is a fun, free, and interactive way that not only praises students within the classroom, but also track student data and monitor progress. Each student has the opportunity to receive multiple prompts for either reinforcing expected behaviors or correcting unexpected behaviors. At the end of each day, parents can review their child's progress and help reinforce those expected behaviors at home.

Counting is one way to record data. It involves recording how often a behavior occurs (frequency) within a given time period. It can then be converted into a rate. For example during a 30 minute period of instruction a teacher could record the number of times the student talked out (e.g., 6). The rate might be 2 talk-outs every 10 minutes.

Rather than tying it to an amount of time, you can also collect in terms of a percent. This is the number of occurrences of a behavior out of the number of opportunities. For example, a teacher might record the number of times a student correctly complies with a behavioral request. If the student were given 10 requests and the student complied 6 times, that would be represented as 60% compliance.

Classroom Observation Form

Scatterplot

Timing can be a good method when interested in knowing the length of a behavior or length of time between a behavior. Simply record how long: (a) a behavior lasts (duration from beginning to end), (b) it takes for a behavior to start following an antecedent (latency), or (c) how much time elapses between behaviors (inter-response time).

Like with counting, timing can also be converted into a percentage. For example a teacher could calculate the percent of a 10-minute period that a student is on task. This behavior can be collected using a whole- or partial-interval observation method.

Latency observation form

Duration observation form

Sampling entails estimating how often a behavior occurs using whole interval, partial interval, or momentary time sampling. Shorter intervals lead to more precise measurement.

• Whole-interval recording - record if the behavior occurred for the entire time interval (e.g., the student was out of their seat for the entire 10-second interval).
• Partial-interval - record if the behavior occurred at any point during the interval.
• Momentary time sampling - the observer only looks to see if the behavior is occurring at the end of the pre-determined intervals (e.g., only if the student is out of seat when the observe looks at the end of the 10 seconds). 

Partial interval is appropriate for shorter and more frequent behaviors; whole interval is appropriate for longer behaviors; and momentary time sampling facilitates multi-tasking (you record at the end of the interval).

Classroom Observation Form

Momentary Time Sampling description and examples

Momentary Time Sampling blank form

With ABC (antecedent-behavior-consequence) recording, the observer records information about the events that occurred before, during, or after a behavioral incident. This can help identify any patters as to what triggers the behavior and/or what is maintaining, or reinforcing, the behavior. Once the ABCs are identified, appropriate antecedent, instructional, and consequence interventions can be identified. A Functional Assessment Observation Form can be used to collect ABC data.

Office Discipline Referrals are a great indicator of overall school behavior, particularly with externalizing behavior problems. For information on effectively setting up and managing office discipline referrals, see the school-wide supports section.

If a significant portion of students at your school have chronic absenteeism, it may be necessary to address it at a school-wide level, then problem-solving each student individually. Admittedly, schools do not have control over all of the factors that contribute to chronic absenteeism. There may be various reasons for students who are chronically absent including, but not limited to: social anxiety, academic failure, bullying, illness, mental health issues, conflicts with a job, or difficulties with housing/food. While the reasons may vary student-to-student, the school can still do some things to reduce absenteeism for those students.  Several resources and programs that exist for addressing absenteeism.

Attendance Works - Provides information on absenteeism, and many tools for information for various stakeholders. For example, there are handouts for families to help build good attendance (in several languages), webinars and research summaries to better understand absenteeism, and a toolkit for teachers and administrators to improve attendance school-wide. 

Chronic Absenteeism in the Nation's Schools - This resource, from the Department of Education, is an interactive website with information on absenteeism and its outcomes. It points to some resources that schools can be used to being addressing absenteeism in their location.

Every Student, Every Day - Developed by the several U.S. Departments, this tool provides information and strategies for addressing and eliminating barriers to students' daily attendance at, and engagement with, school. This toolkit provides specific, research-based action steps to improve attendance.

For information regarding Davis School District's attendance policy, please click here.

Once expectations are well-defined and taught, students should be regularly reinforced for good behavior. Schools may employ a number of different methods for reinforcing students. Many schools use a ticket system as a way of tracking positive student acknowledgement and providing students with the opportunity to to be selected for larger prizes and public acknowledgement for good behavior.

The Principal's 200 club is a school-wide strategy for acknowledging and promoting positive behavior. It focus on all students, all staff and all settings and employs several evidence-based behavior management practices: 1) verbal praise, 2) public posting, 3) the Mystery Motivator, 4) a variable reinforcement schedule and 5) a group contingency. 

There are several recommendations to ensure a this is done effectively. For example, with students that have consistent behavior issues, it may be important to  "catch them being good" so they are not left out, and may need the acknowledgement the most. Rewards should also be varied so that students do not get sick of the same rewards over time.

References and resources

Video example of Principal's 200 club in action

Video providing overview of reinforcing behaviors school-wide

For schools with pervasive tardies, individualized interventions may be insufficient. It may be necessary to alter the culture in order to promote timely attendance in class. One of the most often employed strategies involves having a consistent adult presence in the hallways. The adults herd students to get to class and ensure appropriate student behavior in the hallways. One good program that has demonstrated improvement in on-time attendance is Start on Time. START on Time! helps middle and high school administrators and staff improve student behavior in hallways, directly improving school climate. All staff work together to increase the level of coordinated hallway supervision to help establish and maintain a more civil and academic environment in your building.

Even with well-established expectations that have been taught to students, there will still be misbehavior, and thus a need to correct behavioral errors. Several strategies should be employed to handle misbehaviors in the classroom.  For example, precision requests can be effective for lower-level behavior errors (see classroom supports section). However, for significant behaviors, it may still be necessary to refer a student to the office. Data should be collected as part of this referral to help problem-solve school-wide behavior issues as well.

Office Discipline Referrals are a great indicator of overall school behavior, particularly with externalizing behavior problems. A school should first determine which behaviors should be managed in the classroom and which warrant a referral to the office. A flow chart can outline this distinction and the process for responding to those behaviors. 

Next, an office discipline referral form should be developed that can be used by all staff. The form should include all necessary information in order to allow for school-wide data problem solving, including: student name & grade, time & location of incident, problem behavior, others involved, and possible motivation for behavior. When the student is sent to the office with this referral, someone then enters the data into a data management system such as the School-Wide Information System (SWIS) which allows users to use automatically generated reports to identify school-wide problems (e.g., by location, time of day, type of behavior) in order to identify and implement solutions for improving behavior. Major incidents should also be entered into Encore to ensure there is a record of discipline and interventions.

References and resources

Video providing overview of systematic correction of behavior

Recess provides several benefits to students including improved fitness, brain functioning, and social interaction. Unfortunately, recess can also be the source of most of the behavior issues in a school. Furthermore, students spend approximately 20% of their school day in recess and P.E.

Schools must find a balance between allowing kids to explore and play freely while providing enough supervision, support, and organization to facilitate positive play and interactions. Several schools within Davis School District have employed various models to employ a balance of both structure and choice. These models are often referred to as "Structured" or "Team" recess.

Click here to learn more.

The bus is an extension of the school. Bus drivers are the first district employees that many students see in the morning and the last one they see before going home. Drivers' top priority is ensure the safe transportation of students to and from school. In addition to safety, however, the experience of a student on the bus can set them on the right path for a successful day of learning in the school. Conversely, if a student has a negative experience on the bus, it can set the student up for failure the rest of the day.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports practices includes four pillars:

Establish

These practices can be applied on the bus as well. The transportation department has established a consistent set of behavioral expectations on the bus

Teach

Bus drivers teach their students the expectations to students at the beginning of the year. They should also be re-teaching students on a regular basis: after breaks, when misbehaviors occur, with new students. While drivers teach students these expectations, teachers and administrators should also take time to teach students the expected behavior on the bus. This increased the likelihood of students remembering the rules, and communicates to students that drivers and school administrators and teachers are working together.

In addition to drivers teaching appropriate behaviors, it can be helpful to have teachers teach students at the start of the year the expected behavior as well as procedures for getting on and off the bus. The positive behavior on the bus powerpoint can be used by administrators to teach staff these practices of positive behavior on the bus.

Reinforce

Once students are taught the expectations, they should be regularly reinforced for complying with those expectations. Students should be "caught being good." This is particularly important for students who may exhibit misbehaviors more frequently. Reinforcement can be as simple as praise, public acknowledgement, a tangible (treat or sticker), or privilege (first off the bus, sit in a designated seat, etc.). 

In addition, bus drivers use a "Golden Ticket" system to reinforce students for good behavior.

A student can bring this to turn into the office. Schools who have a positive ticket system in place (e.g., principal's 200 club) may allow the student to redeem the ticket for a prize and/or be entered into a drawing (e.g., pizza party, free tardy pass, etc.). If a school does not have a ticket system in place, they may simply provide a reward for bus golden ticket. 

When delivering a reinforcement (e.g., praise, golden ticket, etc.) it is most effective when down with the following practices:

• Immediate - Should be delivered as soon as possible after the correct behavior is observed
• Eye contact - Look the student in the eye, and call them by name, if possible
• Enthusiasm - acknowledge the student in a sincere and positive manner
• Describe - tell the student the specific behavior for which they're being reinforced
• Variability - vary the words you use in acknowledging behavior (don't just say "good job")

Correct

For students who misbehave they may need to be re-taught the expectations. In some cases they may need to have a punishment delivered (e.g. loss of bus-riding privilege). Minor behaviors (e.g., being out of seat while the bus is moving, exhibiting disruptive behavior, inappropriate language) should be dealt with by the adults on the bus.

If the student has repeated offenses despite intervention or if the student engaged in major behaviors (e.g., fighting, vandalism, bullying, threats), it may warrant referring the student to the school office. A bus discipline report is completed by the driver or other adult on the bus. This is then provided to the school administrator who contacts the parent to discuss the incident. The administrator and parent must sign the incident report and the parent and administrator get a copy and a copy is sent to the transportation department. 

In some cases, a student may benefit from having a tracker for bus behavior. This is managed by a teacher or administrator who checks in with the student each day to discuss their behavior goals. The student takes the tracker on the bus and the driver or other adult on the bus will quickly review the student's behavior with them and record a rating of each behavior goal on the tracker. The adult then provides the tracker to a school building representative when dropping the student off at the school. In some cases a student may be able to take this tracker to their tracker coordinator themselves. Reinforcers can be provided by the individual tracker coordinator for reaching a certain point total. The tracker can be tweaked to add any behaviors on the bus specific to the student's needs.

Parent involvement

Parents can also play a critical role in promoting appropriate student behavior. It is important to communicate with them the expectations for student behavior and the procedures for acknowledging good student behavior and responding to misbehaviors. The behavior on the bus trifold can be distributed by the school to all parents of students who ride the bus to help them engage as key team members in supporting their student. It's also available as a one-page document.

In order to promote positive and safe experiences on the bus for our students, it's critical that drivers and district personnel in the school coordinate and communicate on a regular basis. They must work together to teach students expected behavior, reinforce students for good behavior, and correct misbehaviors in a coordinated way to promote successful behavior outcomes for all students.