SOAR Behavior

A student's behavior in middle school has a large impact on who they become as adults. Therefore I take it as my responsibility to use student's inappropriate behaviors as opportunities for them to learn what is acceptable. It is also my responsibility to provide a classroom that accommodates all parent's views of what is and is not appropriate behavior. As a result, what is acceptable behavior in the classroom tends to be more restrictive than in most homes. For example, most people agree that swear words are inappropriate in the classroom. However, there are several words some parents consider a swear word that others do not. Since none of those words are necessary for learning, students are not allowed to use any of the words, even if they are allowed in their homes. I sometimes point out to students that their speech, actions, and dress on a beach would not be acceptable if they were in a movie theatre. Similarly there are actions which are perfectly acceptable at home but cause problems in a classroom setting.

When responding to a student's negative behavior, I consider how sever the behavior is, how often it occurs, and the student's reaction when I address the issue. I give students every chance to fix their own behaviors but sometimes it becomes necessary to report the behavior to the office and/or inform parents. If parents are contacted about behavior it will be because it is an extreme behavior or because the student is not showing a willingness to change their behavior.

Consistent with the school's PBIS policy, there is a SOAR Matrix posted in the classroom. It explains behavior categories and gives examples of positive behavior in areas throughout the school. The SOAR behavior examples expected in the classroom include:

I don't expect students to act perfectly in my classroom. Mistakes in behavior are unavoidable in life and part of the learning process. What is important is how often the behavior occurs, how the student reacts to making a mistake, and how they avoid making similar mistakes in the future. To help students grow from their mistakes, their behaviors may be recorded by filling out a SOAR Incident Report. This classroom form is for recording simple behaviors (positive and negative) that are often repeated. This may include coming late to class, mishandeling lab materials, or distracting behaviors. The SOAR Incident Report helps me and the student understand how often a behavior is repeated and what is causing the behavior to occur. I may ask or require a student to fill this form out if there is an significant enough incident. I, or other students, may also choose to report an incident (positive or negative) they witness.

It's important to understand that these reports are not like a step on the school discipline plan. The report is a way for me to track and better understand why when and why a behavior is occurring. For example if a student comes to class while I am already instructing students. Rather than interrupt what is going on I simply ask them to fill out a SOAR Incident Report. The student uses it to explain why they were late. If by the end of the week I see the student is late to my class three times and their reason is because their locker won't open I will know they have a problem I need to help solve. If a student doesn't have a good reason for being late, showing them their three responses on the form often helps them realize they are developing bad habits.

Some inappropriate behaviors are common enough that I have developed specific consequences. Those include:

Inappropriate behavior such as repeated minor instances of inappropriate words or actions results in having to write a statement about the student's action.

An Equipment Replacement Form are filled out when a student has broken or misplaced an item checked out as part of their lab box. Replacement cost will be determined at the end of the year and is based on evidence of student neglect.