Classroom Behavior Discussion Guide

Objective: To explore the impact of positive and unhelpful classroom behaviors on individual learning and the collective classroom environment.

Instructions for Teacher: Use these prompts to guide a one-on-one discussion with the student after introducing the concept of positive classroom behaviors. Encourage the student to participate, providing specific examples when possible. For students with autism, you may wish to provide visual aids or pre-teach some of the vocabulary.

Discussion Prompts:

1. Opening Question: Thinking about our classroom, what makes it a good place to learn? What are some things that sometimes make it harder for you to focus or learn?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Impact on Self: When you display positive behaviors, like actively listening or staying on task, how does that help you learn? Can you think of a time when a positive behavior helped you understand something better?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Impact on Others: How do other students' behaviors affect your ability to learn? If someone is talking out of turn or not paying attention, how does that make you feel, and how does it affect your focus?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Creating a Community: Why is it important for everyone in the class to try and use positive behaviors? What kind of classroom community do we build when we all contribute positively?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Challenges and Solutions: What are some common challenges that make it hard for you to use positive behaviors sometimes (e.g., feeling bored, frustrated, wanting to talk to a friend)? What strategies could you use to overcome these challenges and choose positive behaviors instead?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Teacher's Role: How can I, as your teacher, best support you in demonstrating positive classroom behaviors?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Positive Behavior Scenario Cards

Instructions for Teacher: Print and cut out these cards. Give the student one scenario card. Instruct them to read the scenario, brainstorm positive behaviors to address it using the Behavior Brainstorm Worksheet. Then, discuss or role-play the scenario with the student, first demonstrating an unhelpful behavior and then a positive behavior.

Scenario Card 1: Group Work Troubles

You are working in a small group on a science project. One group member keeps talking about video games and is not contributing to the task. Another student is getting frustrated and rolling their eyes.

• Challenge: Off-task behavior and growing frustration.
• Your Task: Show how an unhelpful behavior might escalate the situation. Then, brainstorm and demonstrate positive behaviors to get the group back on track and working together effectively.

Scenario Card 2: Asking for Help

You are in math class, and the teacher has just explained a new concept. You are completely confused and don't understand what to do for the assignment. You see other students starting their work.

• Challenge: Feeling confused and unsure how to get help.
• Your Task: Show how an unhelpful behavior (e.g., giving up, distracting others) might play out. Then, brainstorm and demonstrate positive behaviors for seeking clarification or asking for help appropriately.

Scenario Card 3: Distracting Sounds

During independent reading time, a student near you is tapping their pencil loudly and humming a song. It's making it very difficult for you to concentrate on your book.

• Challenge: External distractions affecting concentration.
• Your Task: Show how an unhelpful behavior (e.g., yelling, tapping back) might worsen the situation. Then, brainstorm and demonstrate positive behaviors for handling distractions respectfully and effectively.

Scenario Card 4: Sharing Materials

Your class is doing an art activity, and there are only a few pairs of scissors for the whole table. Everyone needs them, but one student is holding onto a pair for a long time, even when others are waiting.

• Challenge: Limited resources and unequal sharing.
• Your Task: Show how an unhelpful behavior (e.g., grabbing, complaining loudly) might create conflict. Then, brainstorm and demonstrate positive behaviors for sharing materials fairly and communicating needs.

Scenario Card 5: Disagreement During a Game

During a class game, two students disagree strongly about a rule. Both are insisting they are right and are starting to raise their voices, disrupting the game for everyone.

• Challenge: Conflict and escalation during an activity.
• Your Task: Show how an unhelpful behavior (e.g., yelling louder, name-calling) might make the disagreement worse. Then, brainstorm and demonstrate positive behaviors for resolving conflicts and compromising respectfully.

Scenario Card 6: Getting Started

The teacher has just given instructions for an assignment, but you're not sure where to begin. You feel overwhelmed and just want to put your head down.

• Challenge: Feeling overwhelmed and stuck at the start of a task.
• Your Task: Show how an unhelpful behavior (e.g., avoiding the task, sighing loudly) might prevent you from getting started. Then, brainstorm and demonstrate positive behaviors for breaking down a task or seeking initial guidance.

Behavior Brainstorm Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Scenario Card #: ____________

Your Scenario:

Paste or write your scenario here.

Part 1: Unhelpful Reaction

• How would you react with an unhelpful behavior in this situation? (Think about what might make the problem worse or prevent learning).
  
  
  
  
  
  

• What might be the consequences of that unhelpful behavior? (How would it affect you and others?)
  
  
  
  
  
  

Part 2: Positive Behavior Solution

• What positive behaviors could you use in this situation? (Brainstorm at least 2-3 specific actions or words).

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• How would these positive behaviors help improve the situation? (How would they affect you and others?)
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Which positive behavior will you demonstrate or discuss for this scenario?
  
  
  
  

Personal Reflection (to be completed after the activity):

• From today's lesson, what is one positive classroom behavior you will try to focus on this week? Why did you choose this one?