Strategies and Resources 

How to Help Students be Successful 

• Make a point to praise what they are doing RIGHT (Research indicates that you can improve behavior by 80% just by pointing out what someone is doing correctly)

• Meet students at their level, eye contact

• Post classroom schedules to keep all students on track or individualized, visual schedules 

• Set boundaries - color tape on floor for circle spot and/or lining up 

• Leave enough time to provide instructions, repeat instructions, allow wait time 

• Use clear, concise, specific language

• Position the student's desk in a place that is near the teacher and away from distractions

• Allow for flexible seating - wobble seats, sit disk, bounce bands on chair legs

• Offer transition warnings to prepare students for upcoming changes or transitions 

• Allow for frequent breaks, movement (wall push ups, jumping jacks, stretching) and use of fidgets 

• Use first/then statements 

• Have a “safe spot” available for students to calm and take deep breaths