Behavior Interventions

Hierarchy of Behavior Interventions

1. Warnings/Reminders/Redirection: If students are becoming distracting in class, I will start by giving them either a verbal or nonverbal warning. This can be done through my proximity to the students, a quick tap on their desk to refocus them, or asking them to please return their focus to the lesson or activity we are working on.

2. Private Conversation: The next step is to have a private conversation with the student. I will call the student to my desk, the back of the classroom, or step right outside the door to have this conversation. I will let the student know that their behavior is distracting other students, and that it is distracting to their own learning. We discuss why the behavior needs to stop, and how we can do better in the classroom. This is also an opportunity for students to let me know if anything else is going on. Sometimes this may mean that another student is distracting them, and they were simply asking them to stop. In this case, I misinterpreted the situation. This is why I choose to have a private conversation first, before giving a Reflection Slip. I may not have all the facts, and this conversation is the opportunity for my students to make clear what is going on.

3. Reflection Slip: If warnings and private conversation do not change the student's behavior, a Reflection Slip will be given. This can be given for a variety of reasons: Physical harm to others, teasing, vandalism, defiance, inappropriate use of iPads or other tools, etc. On the back side of the Reflection Slip, students are asked to write down what they will do next time. This is an opportunity for them to reflect on what happened, and identify how they can behave in a different way next time. The students will then take the Reflection Slip home to show their parents. Parents will sign, acknowledging that they have seen it, and return it school.

4. Parent Conference and Refer to Counselor: If warnings, private conversations, and Reflection Slips, do not seem to be working a parent conference will be held. During this conference I will let the parent(s) know what has been going on at school, and how the behavior is either becoming distracting to other students, to their own child, or both. Often, parents will have some insight as to why the behavior is happening (i.e. new baby at home, divorce, death in the family, etc.). However, there are times that the parents are not sure why the behavior is occurring. This is an opportunity for myself and the child's parent(s) to problem solve, and come up with some strategies that may help their child at school and at home. If the child seems to be withdrawn, disconnected from others at school, are consistently harming (physically or verbally) others, or have a serious situation going on at home, I will ask the parents if we can refer their child to the school counselor. Parents need to fill out a form stating what behavior they are seeing in their child, the reason they are requesting counseling services, and then sign and return to the teacher to complete the form.

5. Green Slip and Conference with the Principal: If a serious offense has occurred, the students will receive a green slip. A green slip is a referral for a conference with the principal. Some behaviors that a green slip may given for are aggressive physical contact, fighting, inappropriate language, racial slurs, harassment, stealing, etc. Once the principal has met with the student, they will return the green slip to the teacher notifying them of any additional comments and consequences. Any time a green slip is given to a student, it is also an automatic phone call home from the principal. I want to avoid having to write a green slip if I can, as I believe the best solution to misbehavior comes from the teacher-student relationship. However, certain situations call for principal intervention, especially if extreme misbehavior is happening during class time and affecting other students.

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