Implement when

• a student gets off task and is beginning to be frustrated, agitated or disruptive

• student is beginning to be argumentative or confrontational

• a student is refusing to follow a directive

• a student’s emotions and/or behaviors need to be deescalated

Strategies:

1. Allow student to take a mental break by going to the washroom/drawing for a few minutes

2. Have a timeout corner in the classroom to allow student to cool down or engage in non-disruptive activities like word-search, hidden pictures, sudoku, find the differences etc

3. Make use of a timer if necessary

4. Explain the process to the student or class clearly

5. Either the student or teacher may initiate a break, though it is best for the student to identify the need for and take a break appropriately

6. If the student abuses this, set limits on the frequency the student can take a break