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Strategies for Building a Positive Classroom Slide 2 26 years of research, evaluation, and development Implemented in 13,000 schools Education has to work for all stakeholders. Slide 3 Students retain more and are more engaged when they see that school work is relevant and vital to their own success and happiness. Discover students talents, learning styles, and interests so teachers can adjust instructional methods and strategies. Giving students a say in how the classroom operates increases their ownership in the education process. Slide 4 A positive classroom requires a common understanding of positive and negative behaviors. Teachers should ask students to identify how they want to be treated. From this discussion lists of behaviors that are respectful, fair, kind, and empathetic emerge. Teacher and student agree that this code will dictate appropriate behaviors in the classroom. Slide 5 Dont assume that students know how to act. Teach them. Point out the importance of doing positive actions to feel good about yourself. Teach actions for a healthy body (nutrition, exercise, and sleep) Teach actions for intellect (thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills) Slide 6 Teach actions for self-management (managing time, energy, emotions, and other personal resources) Teach actions for getting along with others (treating others fairly, kindly, and respectfully) Teach actions for being honest with yourself and others (taking responsibility, admitting mistakes, and not blaming others) Slide 7 Teach positive actions for improving yourself continually (such as setting and achieving goals) Slide 8 Three step process for choosing positive actions 1. We have a thought. 2. We act consistently with the thought. 3. We experience a feeling about ourselves based on the action. That feeling leads to another action and the cycle repeats. Change negative thoughts to positive thoughts. Reinforcement by the teacher. Slide 9 Use recognition items/activities (stickers, tokens, certificates, celebrations) Remind students of the good feelings associated with positive actions. Students need to make a connection between their positive actions and feeling good about themselves. Slide 10 Families and Community Members that are concerned about childrens education. Integrate them into many classroom and school activities. Curriculum activities, assemblies, committees, after-school events, and homework. Slide 11 Most important, yet most difficult to carry out. Look for the positive way to respond to a situation. A positive attitude is the change agent that will create positive classrooms and schools that produce happy and successful students. Slide 12 Take care of yourself! Know your job. Safety and Supervision Positive Learning Environment (Instruction) Be a positive role model Keep at it. Slide 13 Lack of sleep Sickness Hunger Tantrums unmet needs Over stimulated Pressure Boredom Bad day Want attention Recognizing factors that lead to crisis can help you avert one. Slide 14 Staff Related Overly demanding Ignoring student Horse-playing with student Yelling or talking harshly with students Slide 15 Peer related triggers Teasing by other students Horse-play Stealing Cursing Slide 16 Environmental Triggers Being too hot or cold Wanting to be somewhere else Restricted movement in room Any discomfort caused by environment Slide 17 Event related triggers Unstructured time Lunch P.E. Assemblies Slide 18 Other Triggers Anxiety Autism Spectrum Bi-Polar Being tired, hungry, thirsty Slide 19 Unmet Need Behavior Our Response Slide 20 1. Create Positive Contact Use complements Speak Softly Make eye contact Use Humor Seek their interests Slide 21 2. Find The Need Ask what is wrong Repeat back to show understanding Observe and Track Show empathy Ask: who, what, where, when, how, but dont ask why. Slide 22 3. Explore Options Ask individual what has worked and how well Provide choices Talk with previous teachers, co-workers, administration, parents Encourage individual to brain-storm a solution Be supportive/redirect Slide 23 Soon to follow with be a school-wide Positive Behavioral Support initiative. Next in series will be How to Understand the Digital Age Generation.