1. Proactive Behavior Interventions
Beth Ackerman, Ed.D.

2. BE POSITIVE Be able to laugh at yourself
Use humor as a tool, not a weapon
Encourage, don’t criticize
DON’T WORRY! PROBLEM SOLVE!
Recite Poem:
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to find love in the world

3. BE FUN Be Creative Make your classroom a place to want to be
Provide a variety of activities
Give the children success

4. BE STRUCTURED Manipulate the surroundings Be organized
Always keep an eye on the students
Teacher movement
Stick with a schedule
Have clear classroom rules
Don’t assume prior knowledge
Review Poster of class rules.
Keep rules positive
Sermons we see by Edgar Guest
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day,
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way.
There's a better pupil and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing, but example always clear.
And best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it if you’ll let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action but you tongue to fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be very wise and true:
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing whatyoudo.
For I May misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there is no Misunderstanding how you act and how you live!!!

5. Classroom Rules Specific and concise Only 4-6 rules
Stated in a positive manner
POSTED in the classroom
Each rule is taught to the students

6. Sample Rules
Using the acrostic “Third” for 3rd graders at a Christian School
Treat all classmates kindly.
Have yourself settled and ready to listen to the teacher.
Is working quietly and staying on task.
Respect classmates’ feelings and possessions.
Do, say, and think first, “What would Jesus do?”

7. BE CONSISTENT Use promises and rewards Set and clearly explain limits
Explain situations
Model appropriate behavior
14 ways to guarantee student failure: (Ken West, News and Daily Advance)
14. n return papers until students forget what they wrote.
13. Pigeon-hole students based on past performance
12. Be arbitrary in you class rules and discipline.
12b. Do things that students are forbidden to do.
11. Assume that if all your students are bored, they’re not interested in what you teach
10. Give-in the the latest teaching fad.
9. Compare students to their brothers or sisters.
8. When the entire class fails a test blame the students
7. Assume that your class is the most important class in a students life
6. Keep an emotional distance from your students
5. Play favorites in class.
4. Assume that group projects represent cooperative learning
3. Feel sorry for students with personal problems
Stress disabilities rather than abilities
1. Show no love for teaching

8. Modeling Appropriate Behavior
Luke 6:40 says “…after he has been fully trained, he will be like his teacher”.
Phil.4:9 - “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of Peace will be with you”
I’d Rather See a Sermon then Hear One

9. Effective Limit Setting
Be consistent. Guidelines must remain similar among all staff and situations
State clear, reasonable, enforceable expectations
Give brief reason for the limit
Provide a choice or alternative
Follow through with a consequence
Evaluate the limit and its effectiveness

10. Effective Limit Setting
Limits and consequences should be immediate
Recognize when help is needed to carry out a limit.
Separate the individual with a problem from the group
Remain calm and matter-of-fact
Don’t lecture, don’t shout, don’t threaten

11. Sample Positive Reinforcements
ALWAYS START WITH LEAST RESTRICTIVE
Positive words
Positive calls home
Behavioral contracts
Points/levels system
Token economy

12. Punishment and Negative Reinforcement
ALWAYS START WITH THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE
Verbal reprimands, frowns, reminders, etc.
Imposing in-class separation (time out)
time out versus time away
Removal from classroom (time out or isolation room/area)
Send home

13. Less Obtrusive to More Intrusive
Proximity control
Voice control
Pause. Stop what your doing
Distraction
Eye contact
Rule reminder
Rewards
Token economy
Loss of privileges
Phone calls home
Separation from the group
Time outs

14. FAIRNESS BE FLEXIBLE Show children that you value them
Sue - legally blind needs Braille
Johnny, has attention problems, needs frequent breaks
Sammy, is aggression, needs a place he can go to relax
To truly teach children about justice, we need to model ir for them. No one in life gets the “same” thing and we need to be able to model this for the students.
HOWEVER WE STILL NEED TO BE CONSITENT

15. Token Economy Student Driven not Teacher Driven
Observable and specific behaviors
Time intervals
Rewards
Should not ever take tokens away from the student

16. Cooperative Learning Work in groups to earn points and prizes
Give attention to the positive behavior
Do not take points away
Heterogeneous vs. Homogenous Groups

17. Empowering Students
Our goal is not to manage student behavior, but rather to teach students to successfully manage their own behavior
What we’re asking students is really to behave abnormal
Encourage self-talking and questioning
Gal.5: “But the fruit of the spirit is…self-control…against such things there is no law.”

18. You have learned… Classroom management
Less restrictive to most restrictive techniques to dealing with behavior problems
Reinforcements
Token Economy and Cooperative Learning
Empowering students