One of the biggest problems teachers face every day is effective classroom management. Students with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) may already have a behavior plan in place, but special needs students are not the only students who benefit from a behavior plan. The student who needs a behavior plan does not follow one or more of the class rules, does not listen to teacher redirection and needs to learn how to control himself in classroom situations.
How to Write a Behavior Plan
There are two steps to write an effective behavior plan: 1. Decide on target behaviors and 2. Chose rewards for proper behavior.
First, a teacher must decide on one or two target behaviors that she desires to see in her student. These are not the misbehaviors (talking out, hitting, etc.), but are the positive behavior the teacher wants to see (listen when teacher is talking, keep hands to yourself). Although any teacher could come up with a long list of target behaviors, it is important to pick one or two of the most important behaviors for the behavior plan.
Second, the teacher must chose rewards for the student to receive for behaving appropriately in class. In order to do this, the teacher should either conference with the student to find out what rewards he or she would like to have on the plan, or put together a list of 6-7 rewards and during the student conference, allow the student to pick 3-4 of those choices to have on the plan.
Two key points to remember when choosing rewards: The student MUST be motivated by the rewards, and there MUST be a choice of rewards.
How to Implement a Behavior Plan
Once the behavior plan is written and the teacher has conferenced with the student to choose the rewards, the teacher must consistently implement the plan in order to see results. First, split the time with the student up into sections, and then rate the student’s behavior during each of those time periods.
In order to earn the reward, the student should behave appropriately throughout more than half of the time periods during the day. As the student behavior beings to improve, the teacher can raise her expectations.
For example, in the following sample, instead of requiring 10 points to earn the reward, require 12 points.
Tape the plan to the student’s desk to remind the student of the expected behavior. If student does not respond well to a whole day plan, consider splitting the plan into two sections, allowing the student to earn a reward twice a day.
Sample Behavior Plan:
Target Behavior: Student will remain seated
Reward: student choice of
- computer time
- snack
- lunch with teacher
Points:
0 = did not sit
1 = Sat after multiple reminders
2= one reminder to sit
3 = remained seated without any reminders.
Sample scoring:
- Morning warm up: 1
- Math: 3
- language Arts: 2
- Specials: 2
- Social Studies: 2
Student must receive score of 10 or greater to earn reward for the day
When thoughtfully written and consistently implemented, a behavior plan can help curtail problem behaviors in individual students.
Related information:
Behavior Plan Basics - Find more sample behavior plans as well as free downloadable behavior plans.
Role Playing to Teach Specific Behaviors - Learn how role playing can provide a student with the knowledge necessary to act appropriate.
When to Ignore Student Behavior - Not all behavior is appropriate to ignore and not all students will respond well to a teacher ignoring their behavior. Find out how to use this classroom management tool effectively.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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