Classroom Systems of Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports Idaho SWPBIS Training Institute

Purpose To describe the implementation of a systems approach to classroom behavior and instructional management Critical features Steps and effective practices Supporting teachers

Objectives Focus on classroom component of PBIS – how to support teachers Describe current status of classrooms (student-teacher interactions) Discuss several types of teacher support

Universal Positive Behavior Support for the Classroom Read through the handout and mark: Got it. I know, understand, and/or agree with this. This is really important or interesting. I don’t understand this, or this does not make sense to me. This could be homework if there is no time.

Basic Rule Design the structure and functions of classrooms to increase predictability and to accommodate individual and collective needs of students

Structure Your Classroom for Success Arrange an efficient daily schedule for all of your classes Start on time Organize you activities to keep attention of students. Have a reasonable balance among the types of activities Avoid having one type of task run too long Schedule independent work and cooperative work directly following teacher directed tasks. Think about scheduling the last few minutes of the class with teacher directed work—gets kids in the mindset that they are not done learning. Use Two college professor scenario—One organized and starts on time, the other late and shuffling papers. Which one would you like to take classes from. Example: Middle school teachers who leave half of the class time for independent work will probably have students misbehaving more often. Sprick et al. 2009

Common Mistakes Assuming students know what is expected of them Absence of clear rules Vaguely stated rules Punishing students for failure to exhibit a behavior that they do not know how to do Increasing instructional minutes will not make up for ineffective instruction “Assumicide”

Guiding Principles Teach and manage social behaviors positively and preventively…like teaching reading, math, physics, music, etc. Integrate social and academic management strategies within and across curricula Maximize academic success to increase social behavior success

Prerequisites Appropriate and relevant curriculum Meets needs Perceived as important Appropriate goals and curricula that are fair, functional, and meaningful Avoid frustration, dissatisfaction, confusion, rebellion, etc.

Classroom Management Tips tructure your classroom for success each students how to be successful in your classroom bserve student behavior From the book CHAMPS page 6 nteract positively orrect fluently Sprick et al. 2009

So what can be done? Classroom organization Instructional management Behavior management On-going teacher support

Classroom Organization Physical environment Student and teacher routines Transitions Attention-getting signal Climate

Considerations How many students will you have in the room at one time? What kinds of activities will be taking place in your classroom? Where should students be seated? How will you regulate movement/supervise/interact? What should my classroom look like? Wall space, storage, lighting, etc. How will you teach students roles and procedures with other staff for consistency?

Aspects of the Physical Environment Seating/furniture arrangement Traffic patterns Materials/supplies Student areas (e.g., small group, break, time-out) Teacher areas (e.g., desk, materials) Problem features (e.g., unsupervisable areas, dangerous items/equipment) Aspects to take into account when thinking about the physical environment of the classroom

Goal when planning the physical environment Create an orderly learning environment that sets the stage for orderly behavior Create a pleasant climate for you and your students Goal

Classroom Organization Design areas for specific activities Whole class instruction Small group instruction Rug activities Quiet reading area Free choice games and activities Computers Anita Archer

Classroom Organization Arrange space so that: Students face the teacher without turning around Teacher has close proximity to students Students can interact with partner and/or team Teacher can see all areas of room Teacher can easily monitor all areas Teacher and students can move easily around room Teacher can access necessary instructional materials Students can access necessary materials Anita Archer

Common ways to arrange desks in a classroom

Paired Rows Anita Archer Great for whole class discussions and working in pairs. Also easy for larger groups to be formed when needed. Allows for student interaction

Slanted Rows Anita Archer Great for class discussions and paired assignments. Implies that everything will be happening from the front of the room May be more difficult to reach each student when compared to individual desks because you can’t get to the sides of students.

Slanted Tables Anita Archer Great for cooperative learning assignments Kids could have a tendency to be off task with conversation

Double U Anita Archer Can be problematic with students who are easily stimulated by other students across the room.

Double E Anita Archer

Checklist Evaluating the Physical Organization of the Classroom: Setting the Stage Ask participants to look over handout. Using either the elementary or secondary examples & non-examples, evaluate the classroom organization. They may want to use it later with their teachers.

Establish Routines Increase predictability and consistency Both teacher and student routines Build into environment/prompts “Stack and Rack” Consider “common” routines Lining up Restroom breaks Preparing for work Transitions between activities Teach routines over a period of time so students and staff are not overwhelmed at the beginning of the year.

Predictability predicts ability! Routines In classes where routines and procedures are clearly delineated and taught during the initial weeks of school, appropriate behavior is much more likely to occur. Predictability predicts ability! Anita Archer

Routines Determine situations where a routine or procedure is needed For each situation, determine a routine/procedure that Promotes self-responsibility Doesn’t require teacher involvement Is effective and efficient Can be used consistently Anita Archer

Routines Document routines/procedures Teach most important routines procedures Review routines/procedures Routines should be ones that students have no difficulty following consistently and with little to no teacher involvement Anita Archer If the routines that you set up require the teacher each time, your teaching will be interrupted frequently and reduce instructional engagement.

Example Student Routines Start/end of day Transitions Personal needs (e.g., bathroom, pencil sharpening) Working in groups and independently Special events Materials and equipment Homework and assignments Personal belongings

Silent Classroom Signals I need a pencil I need to use the restroom I would like to get out of my seat I need help or have a question

Teacher Routines Planning and implementing instruction Classroom movement (circulation) Working with assistants, volunteers, student teachers Communications

Example Routines & Procedures Checklist: “Situation Requiring a Classroom Routine or Procedure” See handouts – “Example Routines & Procedures” (elementary & secondary). Complete checklist – “Situation Requiring a Classroom Routine or Procedure.”

Classroom Routines

Classroom Routines What are 3 routines common across classrooms in your school? Complete the Classroom Routines Matrix for your classroom. What is a PROCESS you might use with your faculty to define and share effective examples? Activity Table Talk: Share out

Efficient Transitions To have efficient transitions, you need to: Teach signals and routines Practice in natural context Pre-correct in problem situations Monitor continuously Positively reinforce

Attention-getting Cue/Rule Select cue that is effective, efficient, and relevant Apply consistently Positively reinforce when chances arise.

Classroom Climate Develop plan before school starts Determine expectations Teach expectations directly Use first weeks of school to establish Expectations and behavior/routines Climate (laugh, smile, accept student ideas)

Classroom Goals & Rules Students are more likely to exhibit desired behaviors when expectations are clear. What you expect = What you get Anita Archer

Classroom Goals With grade level team or school faculty, establish goals you would like children to reach Goals reflect values you hold for students Goals are more global than rules Analogy Goal – Drivers should be courteous Rules – Speed limit 65 Anita Archer

Classroom Goals Example Goals: Respect others Be responsible Do your best work Cooperate with others Anita Archer

Classroom Rules Rules for Rules: Are fewer in number (3 to 6) Should state desired behavior positively Are short and simple List observable behaviors Begin with a verb Clearly define behaviors Anita Archer

Classroom Rules Example Rules: Arrive on time Listen to your teacher and classmates Bring only school materials Follow directions Participate in activities Work during work sessions Use language appropriate to school and work-place Anita Archer

What we expect = What we get Classroom Rules To get the best results, teachers should: Introduce rules Teach lessons on individual rules Review rules Post rules Act as if you expect desired behaviors What we expect = What we get Anita Archer

Behavior Management Basics Use continuum of strategies to encourage expectations Teach expected behavior Increase opportunities for academic and social success Provide positive feedback more often than corrections and reprimands (e.g., 5 to 1) Move from tangible to social reinforcement Move from external to self-managed reinforcement Individualize reinforcement Use continuum of strategies to discourage/correct inappropriate behaviors

Characteristics of Effective Praise Good praise follows the “if-then” rule Make sure students are doing exactly what you want them to be doing Praise them within 1 or 2 seconds after the behavior occurs If it is an on-going behavior, praise during the behavior

Systems Support Shift to school-based teams rather than relying on “outside experts” As with SWPBIS the systems guide the implementation of effective practices Link classroom management practices to SWPBIS Use data for decision-making Exactly what SESTA is modeling.

SAS Classroom Systems Will fill out this portion of the SAS at the end of “Classroom Settings” session.

Keep everyone up to speed. Refer teams back to team SAS tool/handout. Discuss components #1-7. Move on to activity.

School Status and Commitment Complete the Classroom Settings section of the Staff Survey Summarize the results Add items to action plan as needed Prepare to report out on status of system and planned activities EBS survey/SAS (Self-Assessment Survey) Only completing the “Classroom” Section

Classroom Settings Additional Tools: PBIS Resource: Classroom Checklists, Effective Classroom Plan, Environmental Inventory Checklist Classroom Management: Self-Assessment Direct participants to these tools. These can be utilized once school starts…a take-away they may want to use.