Maximizing Effectiveness Using
Positive Behavior Support Methods in
the Classroom:
Teaching a Behavioral Curriculum
1
Objectives
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Understand the importance of a
Behavioral Curriculum
Develop a plan for teaching Expectations
and Rules
Establish a plan for when to teach
Expectations and Rules
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Once you have developed classroom
expectations, it is not enough to just
post the words on the walls of the
classroom…
YOU MUST TEACH THEM!
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Behavior in the Classroom

More often Behavioral Errors in the
classroom occur because:
Students do not have appropriate skills
 Students do not know when to use skills
 Students have not been taught specific
classroom procedures and routines
 Skills are not taught in context
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4
“If a child doesn’t know how to read, we teach.”
“If a child doesn’t know how to swim, we teach.”
“If a child doesn’t know how to multiply, we teach.”
“If a child doesn’t know how to drive, we teach.”
“If a child doesn’t know how to behave, we……
……….teach?
………punish?”
“Why can’t we finish the last
sentence as automatically as
we do the others?”
Tom Herner (NASDE President ) Counterpoint 1998, p.2
Why Develop a
Behavioral Curriculum?
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To proactively address skill deficits
To facilitate a positive and unified
classroom culture
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Two Levels of Instruction
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Level 1: Concept Development (Expectations)
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Broad expectations
Applicable to all settings
Developed at a school-wide level
Level 2: Skills (Rules)
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Observable behaviors
Rules for specific settings
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Instruction Level 1
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Concept Development (Expectations)
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Broad expectations
Applicable to all settings
Developed at a school-wide level
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Guidelines for teaching concepts
(expectations)?
Teach Like You Teach Academics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Define in terms that students will understand
List critical attributes
Provide examples and non-examples
Enhance concept development
Check for understanding
Extend concept development
Acknowledge efforts
Re-teach and restructure teaching
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Expectations and Rules:
Ms. Apple’s Class
Expectations
Rules
Be Respectful
Listen to other’s ideas
Raise your hand to share your ideas
Stay Safe
Keep hands and feet to yourself
Keep all four chair legs on the floor
Achieve your Best
Come to class prepared and ready to
learn
Complete all tasks to the best of your
ability
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Sample Lesson Plan
1. Identify the concept: Respect
2. Define the concept and list critical attributes:
To show concern or consideration:
Behaviors that help people feel calmer,
safer, friendlier, and more cooperative.
3. Use prior knowledge: Ask students to
develop a list of 3-5 examples of respect.
Examples can be written or drawn.
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Sample Lesson Plan
4. Enhance concept development:
A. Allow students to share examples.
B. Ask them to categorize examples by setting
C. Role play examples.
5. Check for understanding: Present examples and
non-examples. Have students identify the
examples. Examples and non-examples can be
presented in pictures or in writing.
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Sample Lesson Plan
6. Extend concept development:
 Identify examples and non-examples of the
concept in stories and videos.
 Assign topics for journal entries related to
the concept.
 Ask students to keep frequency counts of
examples and non-examples observed in a
television program. Graph the results.
 Discuss the benefits of increasing the
frequency of respectful actions.
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Sample Lesson Plan
7. Acknowledge efforts:
 Students get a “Caught Showing Respect”
ticket from back counter. They fill out
their name, the date, and a brief
description of the respectful behavior they
observed in the classroom. Then they turn
the ticket in to Ms. Apple. When Ms Apple
has collected 50 “CSR” tickets the class
earns a ice cream party.
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Embedding Concepts into
Curriculum
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Language Arts and Reading
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Character analysis
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Story mapping
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Examples and non-examples of behaviors
that characterize classroom expectations
Identification of setting, characters, problem(s),
and resolutions
Creative writing
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“What If” stories, new endings to stories,
journal entries on selected topics
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Embedding Concepts into
Curriculum
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Math, Science, Social Studies
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Data collection
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Goal setting
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Frequency counts of specific behaviors
Graphing
Establishing goals based on data collected
Problem-solving
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Determining contributing factors and potential
solutions
Developing and implementing a plan
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Strategies to Success
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Take time in the classroom to discuss concepts
related to the classroom expectations.
Link classroom expectations to other curriculum
such as literature, multicultural information, and
programs endorsed by Safe and Drug Free
Schools, etc.
Include strategies that can be used by families and
the community to reinforce the understanding and
use.
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Strategies to Success
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After developing the broad concepts, help
students identify classroom applications
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Acknowledge student efforts
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Plan to adapt specific lessons if necessary
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Activity: Lesson Plans for
Expectations
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Using your school-wide expectations,
develop a lesson plan on how you
would teach them to your specific class.
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Instruction Level 2
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Skills (Rules)
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Observable behaviors
Rules for specific settings
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Guidelines for teaching classroom
skills/rules
1. Review classroom expectations.
2. Review the rationale and/or application cues
for the rules.
3. Describe the specific, observable skill(s)
for the classroom and provide examples and
non-examples.
4. Engage students in an activity that will allow
them to practice the desired behavior.
5. Acknowledge appropriate behavior.
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Expectations and Rules:
Mr. Michael’s Class
Expectations
Rules
Be Respectful of Self and Others
Accept other’s thoughts and
feelings
Use a positive voice and language
Follow Directions of all School Staff
Complete all tasks to the best of
your ability
Raise your hand to share your
ideas
Stay Safe
Stay in assigned area
Keep hands and feet to yourself
Use materials appropriately
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Sample Lesson Plan
Topic: Classroom Rules for Respect: Accept other’s thoughts and feelings, and
Use a positive voice and language
Goal: Students will understand and exhibit classroom rules independently
Specific Objectives: Students will understand the classroom rules for respect,
be able to show examples and non-examples of respect, and practice respectful
behavior in the class and across school campus
Required Materials: Use separate pieces of chart paper labeled at the top with
the school-wide expectation, and markers
Step-by-Step Procedures:
•Students will review the examples and non-examples of respect and write
these on the chart paper
•Students will talk about what respect looks like in the classroom and write
these on the chart paper
•Students will get in groups and create skits depicting the classroom rules for
displaying respectful and disrespectful behaviors in the classroom
Sample Lesson Plans
Extension Activity: Students will write position papers on why they think
accepting other’s thoughts and feelings is important for the classroom morale
or why they think it is not important.
Possible Connections: Students will start a monthly goal chart for the Tiger
Tickets received as a class. Each month the class goal will increase
Plan for Independent Practice: Classroom mural - each student draws, on
huge butcher block paper, pictures representing the rules for being respectful
in the classroom. They mural will be posted in the classroom or hallway
Closure: Whole group discussion on classroom rules and how they tie into the
school-wide expectations and rules
Evaluation: Have students pair up with a partner and categorize a list of
actions into two piles: respectful actions and disrespectful actions
Adaptations (if needed): Provide a written copy of directions for Britney and
Mary. Allow Britney to work with Billy and/or Sara
Strategies to Success
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Describe specific, observable behaviors for each
expectation
Expect to model the desired behaviors
Provide students with written and graphic cues
in the setting where the behaviors are expected
Acknowledge efforts
Plan to re-teach and restructure teaching
Allow students to participate in the development
process
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Strategies to Success
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Assist students in understanding the
importance of proper behavior through role
plays and simulations.
Concepts should be taught and reinforced
during academically focused lessons and
through school-wide initiatives such as
Character Education, Skill Streaming, etc.
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Embedding Concepts and Skills within
Social Skills Curriculum
Sopris West:
CHAMPS
Stop and Think Program (multiple grade levels)
Tough Kids Social Skills Book
Cool Kids K-3 and 3-8
Committee for Children:
Second Step: A Violence Prevention Curriculum
Jossey-Bass:
Ready to Use Social Skills Lesson and Activities 1-6 & 7-12
Research Press:
PASSPORT Program: A Journey Through Emotional, Social, Cognitive and SelfDevelopment (multiple grade levels)
Skill Streaming (multiple grade levels)
Connecting with Others: Lessons for Teaching Social & Emotional Competencies
(multiple grade levels)
Thinking, Feeling, Behaving 1-6, 7-12
Bully Busters (multiple grade levels)
Activity:
Lesson Plans for Rules

Using the format provided, develop
a lesson plan for one of your
classroom rules
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“I Love It When a Plan
Comes Together”
MR. T, 1984
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Guide for When/What/How to Teach
WEEK
CRITICAL
THEMES
ACTIVITIES
EXTENSIONS
1&2
Teach/review
School-wide
Expectations &
Common Area
Rules
Whole Group Discussion:
examples and non
example
Journal Assignments
Send home a
miniature copy of
school-wide poster
1st half
of 3
Develop rules
for specific
expectations
Cooperative Groups: each
group develops 2 rules for
each expectation – share
with whole group
For Homework:
create a classroom
poster for our new
rules
2nd half Teach/review
classroom
of 3
Cooperative Groups: each
group develops a skit to
present to the whole class
depicting examples and
non examples of
expectations
For Homework:
write one
paragraph on why
rules are
important in the
class & community
procedures