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Encourage Appropriate Behaviors

A set of strategies that encourage appropriate behavior by instructing what is expected, communicating positive examples, giving specific feedback, and motivating students with reinforcers designed to develop a growth mindset and community inclusion.

Trauma Lens:
Behavior lesson plans, preventative prompts, specific praise, individual reinforcers, and group contingencies teach and increase use of desired social-emotional
competencies. 
Students
Strategies should be chosen by a diverse school team, added to the school's discipline flowchart, and supported through professional development. 

What it is →

An Example

Why it's
important →

Strategies to Encourage Appropriate Behavior

TEACH BEHAVIOR / ROUTINES

A written plan/ schedule for teaching and practicing expectations, rules, or procedures. Teach behavior like academics. 

PREVENTATIVE PROMPTS

Prompting expected behavior just prior to when it is needed. 

BEHAVIOR SPECIFIC PRAISE

  1. Identify the student/group

  2. Include term of praise

  3. Describe rule being recognized

  4. Link to school- wide expectation

INDIVIDUAL REINFORCERS

Individually acknowledge students with the school-wide expectations. Tickets, tokens, points, etc. can be used. Use data to target specific behaviors.
 

GROUP CONTINGENCIES

Identify collective goals for frequent group rewards/ celebrations. The group earns the tickets, everyone gets a reward. 

Lesson Plan Examples
"Before we transition to group work, remember showing respect looks like..."
"John- great work! You are putting away your materials, that's being responsible!"
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Ensures all students have a clear understanding of expected behaviors and teaches social- emotional competencies. 

Prevents inappropriate behavior by setting the environment and students up for success

Gives feedback about performance. Builds relationships. Helps establish a 5:1 praise to corrections ratio for growth mindset.

Reminds adults to focus on skills they want to see and to use Behavior Specific Praise. 
 

Keeps a focus on growth mindset. Emphasizes desired behaviors, builds relationships, and builds community. 

TIPS
Snapshot
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  • Work collectively to create plans all staff can use

  • Follow the same design as you do in academics

  • Consider social-emotional skills in addition to behavior and procedural skills 

  • Use routine-building strategies (pennies in your pocket, etc.) and peer obs/self-reflection to build skillset for 5:1 ration

  • Be authentic and genuine when giving prompts and praise

  • Once earned, reinforcers should not be taken away

  • Layer rewards for additional value

  • Get student input for individual and group rewards

  • Everyone is included in group celebrations

  • Deliver reward as quickly as possible

  • Use the observation tool to self-assess and gain peer-assessment from colleagues or administrators.

Observation Tool
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Information from:

Midwest PBIS

Missouri SW-PBIS

KY SERTACs

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