Encouraging Appropriate Behavior with Instru ctor’s Guide CASE STUDY UNIT Created by Christina M. Curran PhD Central Washington University iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu or iriscenter.com Serving: Higher Education Faculty • PD Providers • Practicing Educators Supporting the preparation of effective educators to improve outcomes for all children, especially those with disabilities, birth through age 21 050117 n TTaabbllee ooff CCoonntteennttss Encouraging Appropriate Behavior Contents: Page Licensure and Content Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ii Case Study Level A, Case 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Case Study Level A, Case 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Case Study Level B, Case 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Case Study Level B, Case 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Case Study Level C, Case 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 STAR Sheet: Specific Praise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 STAR Sheet: Criterion-Specific Rewards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 STAR Sheet: Choice Making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 STAR Sheet: Effective Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 STAR Sheet: Contingent Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 STAR Sheet: Group Contingency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 IFnostrr uacnt oInr’sst rGucutiodre’s . G. .ui.d.e. to. .th.i.s .ca.s.e. s.tu.d.y., .p.le.a.s.e .e.m.a.il. y.o.u.r .fu.ll. n.a.m.e.,. 24 title, and institutional affiliation to the IRIS Center at [email protected]. To cite this Case Study Unit: Curran, C., & the IRIS Center. (2003). Encouraging appropriate behavior. Retrieved from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf_case_studies/ics_encappbeh. pdf IRIS@VU • Modules and Materials Development IRIS@CGU • Technical Assistance and Training Naomi C. Tyler, PhD • Co-Director Deborah D. Smith, EdD • Co-Director Vanderbilt University Claremont Graduate University Phone: (615) 343-5610 or (800) 831-6134 Phone: (909) 607-8982 or (866) 626-IRIS [4747] Fax: (615) 343-5611 Fax: (909) 607-0959 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] The contents of this case study were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, # H325F010003. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officers, Helen Thornton and Anne Smith. n http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu i ■ Standards Encouraging Appropriate Behavior Licensure and Content Standards This IRIS Case Study aligns with the following licensure and program standards and topic areas. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) CAEP standards for the accreditation of educators are designed to improve the quality and effectiveness not only of new instructional practitioners but also the evidence-base used to assess those qualities in the classroom. • Standard 1: Content and Pedagogical Knowledge Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) CEC standards encompass a wide range of ethics, standards, and practices created to help guide those who have taken on the crucial role of educating students with disabilities. • Standard 2: Learning Environments Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards are designed to help teachers of all grade levels and content areas to pre- pare their students either for college or for employment following graduation. • Standard 3: Learning Environments National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) NCATE standards are intended to serve as professional guidelines for educators. They also overview the “organiza- tional structures, policies, and procedures” necessary to support them • Standard 1: Candidate Knowledge, Skills, and Professional Dispositions The Division for Early Childhood Recommended Practices (DEC) The DEC Recommended Practices are designed to help improve the learning outcomes of young children (birth through age five) who have or who are at-risk for developmental delays or disabilities. • Topic 5: Instruction n a) iiii http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu s Case Study Encouraging Appropriate Behavior Level A • Case 1 Background Student: Sam Age: 14.2 Grade: 8th Scenario Sam is an eighth grader who is not finishing his work due to his off-task behaviors. According to his records, this has been an ongoing problem since third grade. His grades have become progressively worse this year. His academic grade in his social studies class (and in most of his other classes) is at 65 percent because assignments are rarely completed or are done haphazardly. When Sam does start an assignment, he often rushes through it, making a number of errors and overlooking information. His teacher reports the following types of off-task behaviors: reading books and magazines, drawing and doodling, daydreaming, and talking to friends and neighbors. These behaviors occur most often during independent work times and rarely during large group or whole class activities. Having reviewed Sam’s completed assignments and his class participation in group activities, Sam’s social studies teacher believes he is capable of doing grade-level work and has decided that Sam will achieve the following goals within six weeks: • Increase the number of independent assignments completed • Earn 80 percent or higher on all completed assignments Possible Strategies • Specific Praise • Criterion-Specific Rewards • Choice-Making ! Assignment 1. Read the STAR Sheets on the possible strategies listed above. 2. Write a summary of each strategy, including its purpose. 3. Describe why each strategy might be used to help Sam meet one or more of his goals. s http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu 1 s Case Study Encouraging Appropriate Behavior Level A • Case 2 Background Student: Heather Age: 8.1 Grade: 3rd Scenario Heather is a third grader in Ms. Reyes’ classroom of 24 students. Heather enjoys school and often arrives early so she can spend time on the playground with her friends. Ms. Reyes, however, is concerned because Heather is disrupting the class. She reports that Heather calls out answers during lessons, speaks over others during class discussion, and talks to neighbors during group and independent work. For 25 minutes each day, Heather and two peers receive resource room support in math. Heather’s resource room teacher has not noticed any of these behaviors. Ms. Reyes decides to set these goals for Heather for the next nine weeks: • Raise her hand and wait to be called before speaking • Decrease interruptions and wait for others to finish before adding to discussions • Complete independent work quietly Possible Strategies • Effective Rules • Contingent Instructions • Group Contingency ! Assignment 1. Read the STAR Sheets on the possible strategies listed above. 2. Write a summary of each strategy, including its purpose. 3. Describe why each strategy might be used to help Heather meet one or more of her goals. s http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu 2 s Case Study Encouraging Appropriate Behavior Level B • Case 1 Background Student: Doug Age: 7.9 Grade: 2nd Grade, 2nd Semester Scenario Doug loves science and hands-on activities. He is interested in dinosaurs and robots, and enjoys using the computer to play games. Doug has shared that he likes putting together “Lego” sets and has brought several in to the classroom to share. Doug, however, is not performing well at school. His teacher and parents are concerned. He is failing grade-level requirements in reading and math, even though he has tested at grade level in these areas. Doug does have an identified learning disability and receives resource room assistance in written expression. Doug gets easily frustrated when he has to copy and write assignments in any subject. He does have a computer available to use in the classroom as needed. His second grade teacher, Mr. McGrady, believes Doug is capable of doing the work required in class. Mr. McGrady has noted that Doug participates in class discussions and hands-on activities; however, he avoids and rarely starts assignments by himself. Mr. McGrady reports that while other students begin assignments, Doug can be found fiddling with “Lego gadgets” and drawing robots. Getting Doug started on most independent activities is like pulling teeth. Based on this information, Mr. McGrady has selected these goals for Doug to achieve within the next three months: • Begin independent work assignments promptly • Increase the number of completed assignments Possible Strategies • Specific Praise • Criterion Specific Rewards • Choice-Making • Effective Rules • Contingent Instructions • Group Contingency ! Assignment 1. Read the STAR Sheets on the possible strategies listed above. 2. Select one strategy you feel would best address Doug’s goals. 3. State why you selected this strategy to address the goals. 4. Describe how you would implement this strategy in your classroom and any cautions for its use. s http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu 3 s Case Study Encouraging Appropriate Behavior Level B • Case 2 Background Student: Ellie Age: 14 Grade: 9th grade, 1st semester Scenario Ellie is a ninth grader who has just moved to the community from another city. She is quiet and withdrawn and doesn’t appear to have made many new friends. She often sits alone in the back of the classroom and doesn’t volunteer responses, offer ideas, or engage in class discussions. While she does most, if not all, of the independent work required of her, she does not actively participate in any partner or cooperative activities. She avoids group contact by reading or drawing quietly or asking to be excused to go to the restroom, locker, or office. From all the information the teachers have gathered and their observations, Ellie appears to be able to read and write on grade level. Mr. Salinas, Ellie’s English teacher, becomes concerned when Ellie’s failure to participate in group activities begins to cause some resentment among her peers. Some students say they don’t want to be placed in a group with Ellie because “She won’t help out and it just drags us down. It’s like she doesn’t even know we’re there.” This problem is also beginning to affect Ellie’s grade in English class because several of the semester competencies and assignments require peer and group interaction. There are upcoming small group literature discussion activities and peer editing and writing support groups. Mr. Salinas believes Ellie is capable of the work and sets the following goals for her to achieve by the end of the semester: • Increase her participation in class discussions and conversations • Interact effectively within literature discussion activities and peer editing or writing groups Possible Strategies • Specific Praise • Criterion Specific Rewards • Choice-Making • Effective Rules • Contingent Instructions • Group Contingency ! Assignment 1. Review each of the STAR sheets on the possible strategies listed above. 2. Select one strategy that you feel would best address Ellie’s goals. 3. State why you selected this strategy to address the goals. 4. Describe how you would implement this strategy in your classroom and any cautions for its use. s http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu 4 s Case Study Encouraging Appropriate Behavior Level C • Case 1 Background Student: Zach; Patrick Age: 10.10; 11.4 Grade: 5th grade, 2nd semester; 5th grade, 2nd semester Scenario Patrick and Zach are fifth graders in Mrs. Anderson’s class of 25 students. The class has 13 boys and 12 girls. Three students in the class have identified disabilities and receive resource room support. Zach is one of these students and has a specific learning disability in reading. He receives 30 minutes of resource room support daily to address reading goals. Zach likes math. He especially enjoyed the geometry unit the class just completed. He is typically a quiet worker during independent work time. It’s not unusual for Zach to come in during recesses or stay after school to feed the class guinea pig. Patrick, another student, likes participating in classroom skits and plays. He enjoys telling funny stories and being in the limelight. Patrick is an average student academically. He participates in community sports and especially likes softball. Other students say he “doesn’t stop talking.” Mrs. Anderson is about ready to pull her hair out because of the growing number of disruptions that have been occurring in the classroom. Patrick and Zach seem to be magnets for these disruptions. Mrs. Anderson has observed that Patrick and Zach appear to be “at each other” constantly. Not only do they get off task at these times but the rest of the class is also drawn into spectator sport. Unfortunately, during these disruptions, little classroom work or instruction gets done. Mrs. Anderson has noted the following behaviors of concern: Zach Patrick Responds angrily to teasing by Teases Zach (and, at times, other yelling back and sometimes even students) by name calling, making crying hurtful comments, etc. Argues with Patrick Calls out during class or gives unrelated or inappropriate informa- tion during class discussion when called on Pushes Patrick if he doesn’t re- Argues with Zach (or other stu- spond to his requests or comments dents) when asked to stop teasing or halt other undesired behavior ! Assignment 1. Create a priority list of two critical goals each for Patrick and Zach. 2. Identify two or three strategies you could use to address the goals you listed. 3. Provide a rationale of why you selected these strategies. 4. Choose one strategy to implement immediately and justify your selection and discuss what information you used to support this. 5. Describe how you would implement this strategy if you were the classroom teacher, and any possible cautions or considerations that you should be aware of. s http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu 5 H STAR Sheet Encouraging Appropriate Behavior Specific Praise H WWhhaatt aa SSTTAARR SShheeeett iiss…… AA SSTTAARR ((SSTTrraatteeggiieess AAnndd RReessoouurrcceess)) SShheeeett pprroovviiddeess yyoouu wwiitthh aa ddeessccrriippttiioonn ooff aa wweellll--rreesseeaarrcchheedd ssttrraatteeggyy tthhaatt ccaann hheellpp yyoouu ssoollvvee tthhee ccaassee ssttuuddiieess iinn tthhiiss uunniitt.. What It Is… Specific praise includes verbal or written statements to a student that recognize a desired or correct behavior. Praise can function as a tool for instruction and for increasing social and academic behaviors. To be effective, the student must view the attention provided through praise as pleasurable or motivational. What the Research and Resources Say… • Praise can be used to build positive relationships with students and assist in creating a supportive classroom environment (Brophy, 1998; Emmer, Evertson, & Worsham, 2003; Shores, Gunter, & Jack, 1993). • Powerful, appropriate praise is: nonjudgmental; specific and descriptive; contingent and immediate; and sincere (Brophy, 1998; Duncan, Kemple & Smith, 200; Weinstein, 2003). • A variety of types of praise should be used to avoid overuse and satiation (Brophy, 1998). In some cases praise should be used in conjunction with other types of reinforcements or rewards (Duncan et al., 2000; Kerr & Nelson, 2002). • All students need to experience success. Ensure that each student receives some form of sincere and accurate praise or recognition (Evertson, Emmer, & Worsham., 2003). • Some students, particularly adolescents, do not find public praise reinforcing or pleasant (Emmer et al., 2003; Maag, 2001; Weinstein, 2003). • Teachers must adjust their use of praise and how it is delivered for individual students. Some students have long histories of obtaining attention through misbehavior rather than appropriate conduct. For these students, combining praise with other forms of reinforcement and behavior strategies may be needed. (Piaz- za et al., 1999). • The effectiveness of the praise depends on the “richness” of the reinforcement currently available in the student’s enviroment (Sulzer-Azaroff & Mayer, 1991). Tips for Implementation… • Deliver Effective Praise Statements a. Be nonjudgmental. Praise the student’s accomplishment or behavior, not his or her achievement when compared with that of others. Example: “Doug, you really did a great job of being prepared for class today by bringing your pencils and notebook.” Nonexample: “Doug, I’m glad you brought your supplies today like everyone else.” H http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu 6 • Be specific and include detail. a. Avoid global positive statements. Example: “Wow, Keesha! You used several vivid terms in your paragraph to describe the story setting. Your use of adjectives has really increased.” Nonexample. “Wow, Keesha! Great writing today!” • Be sincere and credible. a. Use statements that underscore the student’s actual efforts and accomplishments. Make sure your voice and body language match the content of your message. Example: “Hector, you set up the multiplication problem correctly, placing all numbers in the appropriate columns. You are ready now to work on the next part of the problem.” Nonexample: “Hector, you really did a great job solving your multiplication problems today.” • Deliver immediate praise in close proximity to the student for whom the praise is intended. Move around the classroom frequently so you can be prepared to “catch them being good.” • Utilize a variety of verbal and written praise. • Offer praise to several students at the same time. Or provide praise privately to avoid the embarrassment some students feel when being singled out in public. • Evaluate and Adjust Praise a. Take time to evaluate whether your praise is working. Ask yourself: ▪ Is the praise effective? Do the students seem to like the attention? ▪ Do they maintain or improve the praised behavior? ▪ Do I offer each student some form of praise every day? ▪ Do I maintain a positive balance of positive and negative statements in my classroom? ▪ Do I include variety in my use of praise? b. Revise the type, delivery, or frequency of praise as needed based upon individual student responses or needs. c. Use frequent praise when new behavior and skills are taught. As the skill is mastered, this frequency should be gradually reduced to a more intermittent schedule. Keep in Mind… • Effective praise can be used to create a positive classroom atmosphere and enhance relationships with students. When it is used effectively it may prevent certain types of behavior. • Effective praise should be individualized for students in its content and delivery. • Teachers must ensure that positive exchanges and statements occur more frequently than reprimands in their interactions with students. H http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu 7