Brandi Burns Lindsey Stauth

“Inclusive Education: support for implementation” We chose this resource specifically, because it is most beneficial for us as inclusion specialists. This website speaks directly to various activities, learning plans, and professional development opportunities for inclusion.

“Positive Behavior Support” “This integrated system of school wide classroom management and individual student support is designed to provide school staff with effective strategies to improve behavior outcomes in their school (Supporting positive behavior)”.

Why Positive Behavior Support? With the varying diversities within the classroom, we find it essential to build a strong, supportive, and safe learning environment for our students. This specific professional development aims to build positive relationships within the classroom. The strategies suggested throughout this resource, provide the necessary tools for teachers and administrators to model and encourage positive behavior.

Supporting Positive Behavior: Key Elements 1. Positive Relationships 2. Modification of Classroom Environment 3. Differentiated Instruction 4. Understanding Student Behavior 5. Social Skills Instruction 6. Positive Reinforcement 7. Fair and Predictable Consequences 8. Collaborative Team Work and a Wrap-Around Process 9. Data Driven Decision Making 10. Individual Support Plans These ten elements aspire to inform, inspire, and invigorate teachers and administrators

Key Element #4: Understanding Children’s Behavior Environmental vs. Neurological Basis for Behaviour Child is displaying challenging behaviours due to reduced skill at understanding and/or processing information D.M. Souveny Understanding Student Behaviour

Neurological Implications for Learned Behaviour Diagnoses include:  Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder  Autism Spectrum Disorder  Learning Disabilities  Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder  Depression, Mood Disorders  Anxiety  Developmental Coordination Disorder  Others D.M. Souveny Understanding Student Behaviour

Understanding Behavioural Processes Environmental Child has “learned” the pattern of behaviours based on Observations of other people and their behaviour (social learning – Modeling Approach) Feedback and Consequences for their behaviour (Behaviour Modification approach) including: trauma, abuse, neglect D.M. Souveny Understanding Student Behaviour

Functional Behaviour Assessment It is essential to understand the purpose or function the behaviour is serving the individual, as well as the context in which that behaviour occurs. D.M. Souveny Understanding Student Behaviour

Why is Understanding Student Behavior Important? We as teachers need to recognize that both environmental and neurological aspects influence student behavior. This recognition will allow teachers to decipher which classroom strategies and plans will best benefit each student.

Key Element #10: Individual Support Plans Action Plan for School Change

Individual Behaviour Support Plan Most severe students require additional intensive and individualized strategies and support. Steps to Complete an individual behaviour support plan: 1. Parent involvement 2. Understand the function of the behaviour 3. Determine priorities 4. Understand warning signs and plans for defusing 5. Identify positive supports 6. Develop the roles of peers 7. Identify if any additional support is necessary D.M. Souveny Action Planning

The GOODS Model of Coaching Goal: What is the goal?  For the student  For the team Options:  What are the students strengths- what are the teams strengths?  What options or strategies are you going to use to achieve the desired goal? Obstacles: What challenges might present themselves that could work against obtaining your goal? Do it: What actions or steps are you going to take to achieve your goal? Success: What will success look like when you have achieved it? GOOD Model based on J.E. Auerbach GOODS Model as adapted by Wolf Creek Student Services D.M. Souveny Action Planning

Why are Individual Behavior Support Plans Important? The Individual Behavior Support Plan is beneficial for both students and teachers. The needs of the students are identified and met by the teacher and school. Similarly, teachers and staff become aware of these individual needs and cater their teaching styles to best educate students.

BOATS The following is a list of strategies we can use as emerging teachers to promote positive behavior within the classroom. It is important to recognize that the behavior always serves to communicate a feeling and/or emotion. These strategies were taken from the “Behaviour Observation Assessment Teaching Strategies”, by the Special Education Council.

Strategies Increase student’s personal control and choices Increase opportunities for positive attention and friendships Increase student’s self esteem Match teaching strategies to student’s strengths and interests Teach communication skills Provide opportunities for movement in and around classroom or school Include student’s family in planning and problem solving Allow flexibility in student’s daily schedule Reinforce respect and responsibility Insure work is at an appropriate level of difficulty Provide visual cues and prompts Limit competition and encourage cooperation

Strategies Cont’d Allow students to demonstrate learning in different ways Teach relaxation skills Develop clear criteria and rubrics to clarify standards and expectations Arrange classroom to facilitate individual, small group and whole group work Allow student to leave the classroom when needed Be aware of sensory difficulties- visual, auditory, kinesthetic- which may impact learning

Professional Development Day: February 2013 These are a few examples of sessions being offered in an upcoming PD day that focus on techniques for supporting students with behavioral difficulties. “The Nitty Gritty on Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities” Review the nature of LD including its academic, social and behavioral/emotional impacts Learn about key techniques for supporting students with LD Find out about both tangible and online resources Receive a collection of classroom-friendly materials to support students

Professional Development Day: February 2013 “Turning Around the Disruptive Classroom” Classroom behaviors, such as wandering around the room, aggression, disturbing another’s property, disruptive noise, disrespect, inappropriate verbalization and inappropriate tasks during a lesson are common behaviors in a classroom that need help! This session focuses on establishing or reestablishing clear expectations, routines and rituals that set the stage for a productive classroom environment. Learn how to teach and reinforce expected behaviors that help create a safe learning environment for ALL students.

Professional Development Day: February 2013 “Working with Difficult Students” Learn some of the reasons why students misbehave, get some tips and strategies on how to work with challenging students, leave with a practical plan to take back to the classroom/school the next week

Bibliography Supporting positive behaviour in alberta schools. (n.d.). Retrieved from behaviour-support/spb_in_alberta_schools.php