Get to Know Your Students

Let's face it, not all of our students are engaging in appropriate classroom behaviors. Creating a safe a comfortable learning environment for students will decrease the likelihood for challenging behaviors. Consistency is also key. Being consistent in behavior management, classroom routine, and being clear about student expectations will increase positive behaviors in the classroom. However, there are circumstances in which no matter how consistent and comfortable your classroom is, inappropriate behaviors will continue to occur. In these cases, behaviors will require research-based behavioral interventions. Before implementing an intervention plan, the classroom teacher must take data and ask questions. What is the behavior? How often is the behavior occurring? What is happening before and after the behavior? Is the student being held accountable for behavior? It is also crucial that all members of the problem-solving team make an effort to get to know the student as an individual. That way, when the team meets to create the behavior intervention pan, all team members are aware of the specific needs of the student. This will increase the probability that the plan is appropriate, and will be effective for the student. 

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