Behavior Management

If you have a student who is having trouble paying attention in his regular education class, what are some strategies you can use to help the student attend?

If a student is having trouble paying attention and may have some behavior outbursts it is crucial to attempt to find the route of the problem; instead of just jumping to conclusions. It would be 'easier' to simple label that child as a class clown or just wants to disruptive but in-fact that student may be struggling and just isn't sure how to ask for help. As an educator, we should take the time to fully understand our students and not take the easy way out. A great starting point is to be direct and consistent with the student, always. After taking the time to find the route of the problem find possible strategies to use with the students.
If the student is simply bored or doesn't want to do the work find a way to motivate the student. Use a reward system, take something away- if they don't complete their math worksheet during class they must stay with you during recess and do it then, or take a break do something fun then go back to the work they were trying to avoid. The student must complete the work they just may need a little extra something to get the to do so.


Positive Behavior Supports

PBS is a program for schools, used to teach “behavioral expectations in the same manner as any core curriculum subject”. Professionals from the school attend a 2-3 day workshop, where they are trained on the program. The main idea of this program is to focus on the behaviors exhibited and work on changing them into more positive behaviors rather than simply telling the student to not do that.  I feel this really supports what I discussed above. Telling the student to stop doing what they’re doing because you said so is not affective. They may stop for that duration but later that day or the next they will probably start the negative behavior again. We must take the time to understand why the behavior is happening and provide ways for the student to change the negative into a positive. I feel this program could be very beneficial to a school district.