Instructional Playbook

O

Observe and Monitor Student Behavior & Engagement

Effective teachers are constantly gathering information about student behavior and engagement. Observation is more than simply watching students—it is an intentional process of collecting information to determine what is working, identify students who may need additional support, and make adjustments that increase student success. When teachers consistently observe and respond to what they see, they prevent many behavior problems before they occur.

Critical Actions for Educators

ACTIVE SUPERVISION

Move about all areas of the classroom to come in contact with as many students as possible Frequently scan the classroom to: Notice cues in students’ behavior to prevent escalation Look for opportunities to provide specific positive or corrective feedback to individual students

Observe students throughout every part of the lesson by: Actively supervising through movement,

scanning, and positive interactions. Monitoring engagement during instruction, independent work, and transitions. Looking for patterns of engagement, participation, and behavior. Providing frequent opportunities for students to respond.

Interact positively and encouragingly with ALL students

OPPORTUNITIES TO RESPOND Provide high rates of opportunities for students to actively engage Provide a variety of methods (e.g., individual, group) for students to respond

Use what you observed to determine if students are actively engaged, successfully following routines and expectations, receiving enough opportunities to respond, or are in need of additional support. If concerns arise, adjust the environment to make proactive adjustments by: Increasing active supervision and proximity Reteaching expectations and routines Adjusting lesson pacing or instructional strategies Increasing engagement and positive feedback.