Jim Wright Strategies for Working With Defiant & Emotionally Unpredictable Students Jim Wright Jim Wright Download selected PowerPoint Slides from this presentation, as well as copies of handouts. View links to recommended websites and view additional intervention ideas mentioned during this workshop: Jim Wright Workshop Goals In this workshop, we will learn about: Identification of root causes of problem behaviors Ideas to deescalate confrontations with emotionally unpredictable students Using communication tools to better manage defiant kids Recommended behavioral intervention websites Jim Wright Positive Behavioral Interventions Can Help to Uncover root of student problem Reduce disruption of teaching time Reduce frequency and intensity of power struggles Improve communication between teacher & student Jim Wright Positive Behavioral Interventions Do Not Coddle students Take the place of already-existing disciplinary guidelines or behavioral expectations Tie a teachers hands in responding to misbehavior in the classroom Jim Wright Big Ideas About Student Behavior Behavior is not randomly emitted but follows meaningful patterns Jim Wright Big Ideas About Student Behavior Observed behavior is idiosyncratic, a product of the unique interaction between the person performing the behavior and that persons environment Jim Wright Big Ideas About Student Behavior Similar behaviors may stem from different root causes. Find the cause of the behavior (its function) and you stand a much better chance of designing an intervention that really works Jim Wright Big Ideas About Student Behavior Common root causes or drivers for behaviors include: Social attention (adult or peer) Escape or avoidance Access to tangibles or rewards or privileges (pay-offs) [Inattention or impulsivity] Jim Wright Big Ideas About Student Behavior It is much better to head off problem behaviors than to have to deal with the classroom fallout after those behaviors have occurred Jim Wright ABC Timeline A CB Jim Wright Common behavioral trouble points: Loss of classroom control Non-compliance or outright defiance Impulsive behaviors (student fails to think before acting) Highly agitated or angry students ! Jim Wright Emotional Contagion: One of the amazing concepts of interpersonal relationships is that a pupil in stress can actually create in others the [students own] stressed feelings and at times, [cause others to mirror] the pupils behavior. (Long & Duffner, 1980) Jim Wright The Teachers Role in Defusing Power Struggles: there are no winners when the stress cycle reaches the level of a power struggle. This cycle cannot be broken by asking immature children to act maturely during intense states of stress. Jim Wright If change is going to happen, then the adult must accept responsibility for acting in a mature, responsible manner. (Long & Duffner, 1980) Jim Wright Teacher Behavior Report Cards Jim Wright Teacher Behavior Report Cards (TBRCs) Are brief forms containing student behavior-rating items. The teacher typically rates the student daily (or even more frequently) on the TBRC. The results can be graphed to document student response to an intervention. Jim Wright Teacher Behavior Report Cards Can Monitor Inattention/Hyperactivity On-Task Behavior (Attention) Work Completion Organization Skills Compliance With Adult Requests Ability to Interact Appropriately With Peers Jim Wright Jim Wright Teacher Behavior Report Card: Younger Students/ Daily Jim Wright Teacher Behavior Report Card: Younger Students/We ekly 45486 Jim Wright Teacher Behavior Report Card: Older Students/ Weekly 45486 Jim Wright Teacher Behavior Report Card: Chart Jim Wright Internet Sites for Behavior Management Ideas Jim Wright Jim Wright Jim Wright Jim Wright Jim Wright Jim Wright education.umn.edu/ceed/projects/ preschoolbehavior/strategies/default.html Jim Wright