Lesson Plan
Positive Behavior Power-Up!
Students will be able to identify and apply positive behavior support tools to enhance their learning environment and contribute to a respectful classroom culture.
Understanding positive behavior support isn't just about following rules; it's about building a community where everyone feels respected, can focus, and learn effectively. This lesson gives you practical strategies to make your classroom a better place for everyone.
Audience
11th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and practical application.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Positive Behavior Power-Up! Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Print or prepare to display the Warm-Up: Your Ideal Classroom questions.
- Prepare the Positive Behavior Power-Up Slide Deck for presentation.
- Print or prepare digital 'scenario cards' for the Discussion: Scenario Cards (if using physical cards, write a few common classroom behavior scenarios on index cards).
- Ensure students have access to a writing tool or digital platform for the Cool-Down: One Positive Change.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Your Ideal Classroom
5 minutes
- Display the questions from Warm-Up: Your Ideal Classroom.
- Instruct students to reflect on and jot down their answers individually.
- Briefly share responses as a whole class or in small groups (2-3 minutes).
Step 2
Introduction to Positive Behavior Support
7 minutes
- Use the Positive Behavior Power-Up Slide Deck to introduce the concept of positive behavior support tools.
- Explain that these are strategies to proactively create a good learning environment, not just react to problems.
- Highlight key tools: clear expectations, positive reinforcement, active listening, and self-regulation techniques.
- Facilitate a brief Q&A to ensure understanding.
Step 3
Discussion: Scenario Cards
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
- Distribute 'scenario cards' from Discussion: Scenario Cards to each group (each card describes a common classroom behavior challenge).
- Instruct groups to discuss how they would apply 1-2 positive behavior support tools learned today to address the scenario proactively or reactively.
- Have each group share one scenario and their proposed solution with the class (quick share-out).
Step 4
Cool-Down: One Positive Change
5 minutes
- Distribute or display the prompt from Cool-Down: One Positive Change.
- Ask students to individually write down one positive change they can personally make to contribute to a better classroom environment using a behavior support tool.
- Collect responses as an exit ticket or ask for volunteers to share one thought.
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Slide Deck
Positive Behavior Power-Up!
Supercharge Your Learning Environment!
What makes a great classroom?
- Think about how people interact.
- Consider the overall feeling or 'vibe'.
- How does it help you learn best?
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Explain that this lesson is about understanding and using tools to make the classroom a better place for everyone, including themselves. Ask them to think about their ideal learning space.
What are Behavior Support Tools?
It's All About Making Learning Awesome!
- NOT just about rules or punishment!
- These are strategies we use to help everyone succeed.
- They create a positive, focused, and respectful environment.
- Everyone has a role to play!
Think of them as tools in your classroom toolbox!
Transition from the warm-up. Define 'positive behavior support tools' as proactive strategies. Emphasize that these are not just for "problem students" but for everyone to contribute to a positive atmosphere.
Tool #1: Clear Expectations
Knowing What's Expected Helps Everyone!
- What are they? Clearly stated guidelines for how we behave and interact.
- Why are they important? When everyone knows the 'game rules', we play better!
- Examples:
- Listening actively when others speak.
- Respecting diverse opinions.
- Completing tasks on time.
- Using technology responsibly.
Introduce the first key tool: Clear Expectations. Discuss why they are important (everyone knows what's expected) and give examples relevant to high school.
Tool #2: Positive Reinforcement
Catching Each Other Doing Good!
- What is it? Acknowledging and encouraging positive actions.
- Why is it important? It makes people feel seen and valued, making them more likely to repeat good behaviors.
- Examples:
- Verbal praise: "Great job collaborating on that project!"
- Non-verbal cues: A nod, a smile.
- Recognizing effort and improvement.
- Peer recognition!
Introduce positive reinforcement. Explain it's about noticing and acknowledging good behavior, which encourages more of it. Give examples beyond just teacher-student interactions (peer-to-peer).
Tool #3: Active Listening
Truly Hearing & Understanding!
- What is it? Fully concentrating on what is being said, rather than just passively 'hearing' the message.
- Why is it important? Builds respect, prevents misunderstandings, and shows you value others' ideas.
- How to do it:
- Make eye contact.
- Nod or give verbal affirmations.
- Don't interrupt.
- Summarize what you heard to confirm understanding.
Explain active listening. Emphasize it's more than just hearing words, but truly understanding and showing that understanding. Relate it to group work and classroom discussions.
Tool #4: Self-Regulation
Being Your Own Behavior Boss!
- What is it? The ability to manage your own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations.
- Why is it important? Empowers you to stay focused, manage stress, and make good choices, even when challenged.
- Strategies:
- Taking a deep breath.
- Counting to ten.
- Taking a short break (when appropriate).
- Identifying triggers.
- Asking for help when needed.
Introduce self-regulation. This is a powerful tool for students to manage their own behavior. Discuss strategies they can use when feeling frustrated or distracted.
Putting Tools to Work: Scenarios!
Let's Solve Some Real-Life Classroom Puzzles!
- Work in small groups.
- You'll get a 'scenario card' with a common classroom situation.
- Discuss:
- What behavior support tools could help in this situation?
- How would you proactively use a tool to prevent it?
- How would you reactively use a tool if it's already happening?
- Be ready to share your best ideas!
Set up the group discussion. Explain the scenario cards and the expectation for applying the tools discussed. Circulate to provide guidance.
Your Power to Make a Difference
Every Day is a Chance to Build a Better Classroom.
- These tools aren't just for teachers – they're for ALL of us.
- Your actions, big or small, impact the learning environment.
- Let's commit to using these tools to make our classroom the best it can be!
Conclude the lesson and transition to the cool-down. Reinforce that these tools are for everyone's benefit.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: Your Ideal Classroom
Take 5 minutes to reflect on these questions and jot down your thoughts. We'll share some ideas as a class.
- Describe your ideal classroom learning environment. What does it look like?
- What does it sound like?
- What does it feel like to be a student in that classroom?
- What kinds of behaviors or interactions contribute to making it that way?
Discussion
Discussion: Scenario Cards
Work in your small groups to discuss the scenario(s) you are given. For each scenario, answer the following questions, using the positive behavior support tools we just discussed:
- What behavior support tools could help in this situation?
- How would you proactively use a tool to prevent this situation from happening?
- How would you reactively use a tool if this situation is already happening?
Be ready to share your group's best ideas with the class!
Scenario Card 1: The Distracted Group
During a group project, two members are constantly whispering, checking their phones, and generally not contributing, leaving the other members frustrated and doing all the work.
Scenario Card 2: The Dominant Speaker
In a whole-class discussion, one student frequently interrupts others, talks over them, and dominates the conversation, making it difficult for quieter students to share their ideas.
Scenario Card 3: The Frustrated Finisher
A student is struggling with a challenging assignment and, instead of asking for help, they visibly slump in their chair, sigh loudly, and start to pack up their belongings, showing clear signs of giving up.
Cool Down
Cool-Down: One Positive Change
Before you leave, reflect on today's lesson. Write down one specific positive change you can personally make, starting today, to use a behavior support tool and contribute to a better, more positive classroom environment.
Think about:
- Which tool resonates most with you?
- How will you put it into practice?
- What impact do you hope it will have?