It is finally time to put everything you have been learning into practice. PBIS is the HOW of behaviour change. You will have an opportunity to apply everything you have done so far in a school context.

The remainder of the MOOC will look at ‘Be Kind’ as an example; however, I advise you to reflect on your school, classroom or student/s and use this model to practice implementing the desired behaviour change.

As an aspiration, ‘Be Kind’ is as idealistic as it comes. Many schools have this as a part of their values; however, what does that mean?

In consultation with staff, students, parents and other stakeholders, develop a range of outcomes that match this aspiration.

These may look like –

Say sorry when you have made a mistake

Be friendly with others

Include others in play, and tasks

Don’t say mean or derogatory things about others

Of these outcomes, pick one to focus down on further and pick the explicit behaviours that make up that goal.

For example, ‘Include others in play and tasks’ may have the explicit behaviours of -

1) When you are at the break, look to the friendship bench, and if someone is there, invite them to join in on your play.

2) Check if new students have someone to play with at break time

3) Make sure everyone is included in jobs set by the teacher, and if you notice someone left out, invite them to join

4) Play games that can include as many people as possible

5) Take turns when not everyone can be included at the same time

6) When other cannot be included explain why to them and consider alternatives.

And so on.

Pick one of your own school values and try this process by yourself – try to expand on the aspirations, goals and specific behaviours of up to three of those goals.

Invite peers, leaders, SSO, students, parents and others to consult and consider your list and make additions.

Consider how your list changed when presented to other stakeholders.

How did the priorities change?

Did the behaviours, goals and aspirations change?

How will you manage these competing priorities during implementation?