Teaching and Rewarding

Teaching and Rewarding “Good” Behavior

At McBride School we believe in Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS). PBIS is the simple act of noticing, recognizing, and modeling appropriate behaviors for students. We have three simple rules at our school: Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible And Be a Learner!

“You get what you pay attention to!” We know that if you notice and focus on “bad” (unwanted) behavior you will get more unwanted behaviors. If you focus on good behaviors, you will get more good behavior. Some minor behaviors can be ignored, while others can be redirected. While positive behaviors are praised and rewarded.

“Rules” 1. Follow directions quickly. Students need to follow directions quickly (preferably the first time they are given), without argument, and from any staff member that is providing directions. Students are learning that rules are made to keep us safe. 2. Keep hands, feet, & objects to yourself. 3. Raise your hand for permission to speak. Students are given several opportunities during the work day to share predictions, thoughts, and comments with their “learning neighbors”. During the day there are times when students are asked to raise their hands, such as during table work and sometimes at the carpet students are asked to raise their hand to speak out, and/or to ask for help from an adult. 4. Make smart choices! Smart choices includes using tools for their appropriate function, walking in the halls and pod areas, using the bathroom for its purpose (not a play place), using an indoor voice… and just overall “being responsible!” 5. Do these things even when the teacher isn’t watching! We want students to learn to make smart choices and decisions at all times. Rewards 1. Praise! This may look like “high 5’s”, smiles, thumbs up, and/or pats on the back. It may sound like “good job” and other words of affirmation… usually describing the behavior that is being rewarded (“You were very thoughtful to push your neighbor’s chair in for them.” “You showed persistence by working to complete that project until it was done. Way to go!”) 2. Tangibles! (stickers, mustangs, skittles) 3. Notes and awards sent home! On Fridays one student a week will receive an award (in front of our entire Pod) to celebrate a positive character trait. Quarterly, students will be awarded at school assemblies to recognize outstanding work, citizenship, improvement, and/or other outstanding effort. Periodically in class I will send other awards home, especially when I want to recognize outstanding effort or improvement. 4. Special privileges! 5. Class party!

Consequences 1. Redirection: For some infractions, students will first be given a verbal reminder/warning to change their behavior. Common infractions include: touching classmates, lying down on the carpet, visiting during whole group learning opportunities, etc. 2. Thinking Time: If a reminder/warning is given and the behavior continues, students may be asked to physically move from where the problem was occurring to think through what was happening and what they could do instead. You may begin hearing a lot about “small problems” and “big problems” or the Kelso’s choices. Students may take think time on their own or with the teacher. This can also be a good time for them to breath and calm down if they are getting frustrated. 3. Miss a fun activity: If a student has another infraction they will then be asked to sit out during some of recess, inside play time, and/or another “fun” activity. During this time students will conference with the teacher regarding the problem, make a plan for next time, and/or solve the problem (apologize, clean-up the mess, etc.).