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Can We Build a Behavior Matrix?

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Lesson Plan

Designing Our Community Standards

Students will collaboratively create a behavior matrix that defines expected behaviors in different school or classroom settings, fostering a shared understanding and promoting consistent expectations.

Establishing clear behavior expectations is crucial for a positive and productive learning environment. This lesson empowers students to take ownership of their community's standards, leading to greater buy-in and a more harmonious school experience.

Audience

9th Grade Class

Time

65 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and collaborative activity leading to a co-created behavior matrix.

Materials

The Blueprint for Success (slide-deck), Behavior Matrix Brainstorm (activity), Drafting Our Matrix (worksheet), and Matrix Clarity Checklist (rubric)

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: Why Community Standards?

10 minutes

  1. Begin with a brief discussion: "What does a respectful and productive learning environment look like?" (3 minutes)
  2. Introduce the concept of a 'Behavior Matrix' using The Blueprint for Success (slide-deck) (Slides 1-3). Explain that it's a tool to clearly define expected behaviors in different settings. (7 minutes)

Step 2

Brainstorming Expected Behaviors

20 minutes

  1. Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
  2. Distribute the Behavior Matrix Brainstorm (activity).
  3. Instruct groups to brainstorm expected behaviors for 3-4 key school/classroom settings (e.g., classroom, hallway, cafeteria, library). Encourage them to think about 'Looks Like,' 'Sounds Like,' and 'Feels Like.' (15 minutes)
  4. Have each group share 1-2 key ideas from their brainstorm with the whole class. Record common themes on chart paper or a whiteboard. (5 minutes)

Step 3

Drafting Our Matrix

25 minutes

  1. Introduce the Drafting Our Matrix (worksheet) as a way to formalize their brainstormed ideas.
  2. As a class, collaboratively select 3-4 settings for the matrix. (5 minutes)
  3. Guide students to fill in the matrix, discussing and agreeing on 2-3 specific, observable behaviors for each setting. Facilitate the discussion to ensure clarity and conciseness. (15 minutes)
  4. Emphasize that these are 'community standards' we are building together. (5 minutes)

Step 4

Review and Reflect

10 minutes

  1. Distribute the Matrix Clarity Checklist (rubric).
  2. As a class, use the checklist to review the drafted behavior matrix. Are the expectations clear? Are they observable? Do they cover key areas? (7 minutes)
  3. Conclude by asking students to reflect on the importance of having clear expectations and their role in upholding them. "How will this matrix help our community?" (3 minutes)
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Slide Deck

Building Our Blueprint for Success!

What makes a school community great?

Think about:

  • How people act.
  • How people treat each other.
  • What makes you feel safe and ready to learn.

Let's brainstorm some ideas!

Greet students and start with an engaging question to activate prior knowledge about school rules and expectations.

What's a Behavior Matrix?

A Clear Map for Everyone!

  • It's like a guide: Shows us exactly how to act.
  • For different places: What you do in the classroom might be different from the hallway.
  • Helps us all succeed: When we know the rules, we can follow them!

Think of it as a 'blueprint' for our awesome community!

Introduce the idea of a 'blueprint' for behavior. Explain that just like a builder uses a blueprint for a house, we can create one for our behavior. Introduce the term 'Behavior Matrix'.

Why Do We Need One?

Imagine a game with no rules...

  • Fairness: Everyone knows what's expected.
  • Safety: We know how to keep ourselves and others safe.
  • Learning: We can focus on our studies, not confusion.
  • Community: We build a stronger, more respectful place together!

Explain the purpose and benefits of a behavior matrix, linking it to real-world consistency and fairness.

Let's Brainstorm!

Your Turn to Design!

  • We're going to think about different places in our school.
  • For each place, what should respectful and responsible behavior look like? Sound like? Feel like?

Get ready to share your ideas for our Behavior Matrix Brainstorm (activity)!

Transition to the brainstorming activity. Explain that students will be thinking about specific behaviors.

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Activity

Behavior Matrix Brainstorm

Goal: To brainstorm expected behaviors in different school settings.

Instructions:

  1. In your small group, choose 3-4 different settings within our school (e.g., Classroom, Hallway, Cafeteria, Library, Restroom, Assembly).
  2. For each setting, discuss and write down what respectful and responsible behavior should:
    • Look Like (What would you see?)
    • Sound Like (What would you hear?)
    • Feel Like (How would people feel?)
  3. Be specific! Instead of "be good," think about "what is being good in this specific place?"
  4. Be ready to share your best ideas with the class!

Setting 1: ________________________

Looks Like:












Sounds Like:












Feels Like:












Setting 2: ________________________

Looks Like:












Sounds Like:












Feels Like:












Setting 3: ________________________

Looks Like:












Sounds Like:












Feels Like:












Setting 4: ________________________

Looks Like:












Sounds Like:












Feels Like:












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