1. Encouraging Appropriate Behavior
By,
Amanda Johnson Garrett

2. Methods Specific Praise Criterion-Specific Awards Choice Making
Effective Rules

3. Specific Praise What is Specific Praise? What do the experts say?
Verbal or written statements that recognize a desired behavior
What do the experts say?
It builds positive relationships with students
All students should receive sincere and accurate praise
Different types of praise should be used
Teachers must adjust how praise is used for individual students
Additional strategies may be needed if student is used to receiving attention for negative behaviors
Some students do not respond well to public praise

4. Tips for Implementing Specific Praise
Praise should be nonjudgmental, specific and descriptive
Avoid global positive statements
Good example: “Anna, great job! I noticed how you used the proper punctuation in all of your sentences. You must have really paid attention to detail!”
Poor example: “Anna, great essay!” OR
Deliver praise in close proximity to student receiving it

5. Question to Evaluate Effectiveness of Praise
Is the praise effective?
Do the students seem to like the attention?
Do they maintain or improve the desired behavior?
Do I offer each student praise every day?
Do I maintain a balance of both positive and negative statements in my classroom?
Do I include a variety of praise?

6. Criterion-Specific Awards
What are Criterion-Specific Awards?
Proactive intervention to manage classroom behavior
Students earn awards after desired behavior is performed
Examples: Activities, privileges, tangible incentives
What do the experts say?
Helps students make connections between behavior and consequences
It is more effective when students select the reinforcers
A variety of positive reinforcers should be used
The reward should match the difficulty of the behavior
Difficult behaviors should have positive rewards delivered more frequently and should be more intensive

7. Steps for Implementing Criterion-Specific Awards
Identify Specific Behaviors
Begin with behaviors that will have the biggest impact on learning success
Make sure to address the “what”, “when”, “where”, and “how”
Select Rewards
Ensure they are feasible, affordable, age-appropriate and compatible in the classroom
Ensure they are in line with school and district policies
NEVER use access to basic personal needs as a reward!
Match rewards to behaviors

8. Steps for Implementing Criterion-Specific Awards (cont.)
Implement Rewards
Ensure students understand target behaviors and corresponding rewards
Avoid compromises where reward is presented in advance of desired behavior
Remain consistent and deliver rewards as planned
Plan time in schedule for delivery of rewards
Always state specific behavior that is being rewarded
Evaluate and Adjust Rewards
Maintain records
Vary rewards over time

9. Types of Criterion-Specific Rewards

10. Choice Making What is Choice Making? What do the experts say?
Enables students to select from a variety of options
Can both prevent negative behaviors and increase positive behaviors
What do the experts say?
Benefits include:
Enhanced positive interactions between students and teacher
Increase in assignment completion and accuracy
Heightens student engagement
Reduces disruptive behavior
Choices offered should maintain instructional integrity
Choice making allows students to make decisions, which leads to predictability
Especially important for students who are used to only receiving predictability from negative behaviors

11. Tips for Implementing Choice Making
Learn students’ learning preferences, likes and interests
Include choices that are conducive to teaching style and classroom environment
Present options clearly and briefly
Adjust choice-making options and opportunities

12. Examples of Possible Choice Opportunities
Materials and Media
Computer, writing implements, etc.
Seating and Grouping Options
Alone vs. partner vs. group, work areas, etc.
Gathering Information
Books, internet, interviews, etc.
Demonstrating Knowledge
Write, illustrate, present, etc.
Subjects/Instruction
Preferred subjects or learning tasks
Scheduling
Order of activities, subjects, assignments, etc.

13. Effective Rules What are Effective Rules? What do the experts say?
“Explicit statements that outline the expectations teachers have for students to follow in order to provide a safe, secure, and effective learning environment” (Iris Center Case Study)
What do the experts say?
Classrooms are most effective when teachers have clear idea of what to expect from students and students know what the teacher expects from them
3-5 classroom rules are most efficient
Students should be involved in designing classroom rules
Classroom rules are more general than rules for specific activities

14. Tips for Implementing Effective Rules
Identify critical expectations of students to ensure effective learning environment
Ensure rules are:
Clear
Easily understood
Reasonable
Observable
Necessary
Enforceable
Positively Stated
Teach rules at the beginning of the school year
Ensure students understand consequences for following and refusing to follow rules
Provide ongoing feedback regarding the rules

15. References
Curran, Christina. “Encouraging Appropriate Behavior”. The Iris Center – Case Study Unit, Central Washington University. February