Instructional Playbook

Responding to Behavioral Errors

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Strategy

Description

Examples

Non-Examples

Respond to behavior error by restating the rule/expectation

Some materials are not cleaned up following a science activity. “Let’s review our classroom rule for being responsible and why it is important.” Harrison gets out of his seat during group instruction to turn in a paper. Teacher: “Harrison, please return to your seat and respectfully wait until instruction is over to turn in your paper.” “Remember, we want to keep our floor clean so we can be safe. Sam, please be responsible and clean up your area.” After Sam cleans up, “Thank you Sam, for being responsible.” During instruction, Sue is tapping her pencil and looking around the room. The teacher continues the lesson without interruption. Afterwards, the teacher quietly speaks with Sue. Shawna is drawing on her paper. The teacher ignores her, but states, “I like the way Peter (sitting next to Shawna) has his book out and is following along. Thank you for being responsible and on-task.” Once Shawna focuses on her work, the teacher then acknowledges Shawna’s on-task behavior. During math, Jim has his math book out, opened to the correct page, with paper and pencil on the desk, but is not working. The teacher states, “Jim, thank you for getting all your materials out. It looks like you are ready to begin working. Remember to raise your hand if you need help.”

Some materials are not cleaned up following a science activity. “Clearly, some of us are not following our rule of being responsible.” “Harrison, sit down. You aren’t supposed to turn in your paper now.”

Reteach

Neutral, brief feedback that targets inappropriate behavior and describes desired behavior Neutral, brief reminder about the expectation/rule, followed by positive feedback when the student engages in appropriate behavior Conscious decision not to recognize or attend to a student who is engaged in minor disruptions (i.e., planned ignoring). Reinforce the positive behavior of a student near the student engaged in challenging behavior.

Error Correction

“Sam, clean up.”

Redirection

During instruction, Sue is lightly tapping her pencil and looking around the room. The teacher stops the lesson and tells Sue to stop disrupting everyone. Shawna is drawing on her paper instead of having her book out and following along while Sam reads. The teacher stops Sam and says, “Shawna, get your book out and pay attention.” During math, Jim has his math book out, opened to the correct page, with paper and pencil on his desk, but is not working. The teacher says, “Jim, you need to get started. Everyone else is already on page 2.”

Withholding Attention

Reward Around Student

Reinforce positive behaviors linked to the desired behavior.

Reward Alternative Behavior