Social Engagement Strategies Handout

Use this handout to plan and customize peer-interaction strategies and positive reinforcement techniques for your classroom. Refer back to this sheet as you implement and refine your approaches.

A. Structured Peer Pairing Strategies

1. Interest-Based Buddies

Match students by shared hobbies or topics of interest to encourage natural conversation and cooperation.

Questions for Planning:

1. List 3 interests or topics relevant to your students:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Describe one pairing you will try (Student A + Student B) and the reason for this match:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Mixed-Ability Teams

Create small groups balancing students’ strengths and supports so peers can learn from one another.

Questions for Planning:

1. Identify one high-skill student and one peer who could benefit from support:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Describe a team activity where this pairing will be used and how you’ll scaffold success:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Rotating Pairs

Rotate partners regularly to help students build new connections and practice social flexibility.

Questions for Planning:

1. How often will you rotate pairs (daily, weekly, activity-based)?
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What routine or signal will you use to transition between partners?
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

B. Positive Reinforcement Techniques

1. Behavior-Specific Feedback

Provide clear, descriptive praise so students know exactly what they did well.

Activity:
Write 2–3 praise statements for each student style:

• Shy student participation:

1. ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

• Anxious student risk-taking:

1. ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

• Aggressive student collaboration:

1. ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Public Recognition

Celebrate successes with the whole class to model and reinforce positive behaviors.

Planning Prompt:

• Describe one method (e.g., morning shout-out, bulletin board) and the behavior you will highlight:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

3. Token Acknowledgments

Use tangible items (stickers, points, tickets) to reward and motivate consistent positive interactions.

Planning Prompt:

• List 3 tokens or rewards you will use and criteria for earning them:
  1. ____________________________________________________________
     
     
     
     
     
     
  2. ____________________________________________________________
     
     
     
     
     
     
  3. ____________________________________________________________
     
     
     
     
     
     

C. Next Steps & Reflection

1. Which 2–3 strategies from above will you implement first?
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What timeline or milestone will indicate success?
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Identify any supports or resources you’ll need:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   For deeper goal-setting and to track your progress over time, transfer your action plan to the Implementation Reflection Sheet. Good luck, and remember to celebrate small successes as you build a more inclusive classroom climate!

Peer Interaction Scenario Cards

Use these scenario cards in your small groups. Assign roles (Student A, Student B, Facilitator) and role-play guiding a positive peer interaction. After each role-play, debrief: what strategies did you use, what worked, and what you would adjust.

Scenario 1: Inviting a Shy Peer

Context: During partner work, Student A (shy) stands apart and doesn’t enter the group. Student B is working with another partner.

Goal for Facilitator: Prompt Student B to invite Student A in, model language for inclusion, and scaffold a simple first contribution.

Roles:

• Student A: reluctant, avoids eye contact, minimal speech
• Student B: focused on own work, unaware of exclusion
• Facilitator: coach Student B to include and support Student A

Scenario 2: Calming an Anxious Student

Context: In a science experiment, Student A (anxious) fears making mistakes and refuses to handle materials. Student B tries to reassure them.

Goal for Facilitator: Use positive reinforcement and a step-by-step approach to reduce anxiety, encourage risk-taking.

Roles:

• Student A: worried, expresses fear of doing it wrong
• Student B: encouraging but unsure how to help
• Facilitator: model behavior-specific praise and guided questioning

Scenario 3: Redirecting Aggressive Behavior

Context: During group discussion, Student A (aggressive) interrupts Student B and grabs materials forcefully.

Goal for Facilitator: Teach turn-taking, set clear expectations, and reinforce calm collaboration.

Roles:

• Student A: dominant, hasty, speaks over others
• Student B: defensive, backs away
• Facilitator: intervene, set rules, praise cooperative turns

Scenario 4: Encouraging Peer Problem-Solving

Context: Two students disagree over how to complete an art project. Student A wants red paint; Student B insists on blue and becomes frustrated.

Goal for Facilitator: Guide them to negotiate, use "I" statements, and reach a compromise.

Roles:

• Student A: insistent on own idea
• Student B: resistant and upset
• Facilitator: prompt brainstorming of solutions and praise respectful language

Scenario 5: Including a Quiet Student in Discussion

Context: In a whole-class sharing circle, Student A rarely speaks up. Student B and others dominate the conversation.

Goal for Facilitator: Use structured turn-taking and specific prompts to draw Student A into sharing.

Roles:

• Student A: hesitant, sits back
• Student B: eager, jumps in first
• Facilitator: direct a question to Student A, model wait time

Scenario 6: Supporting a Student After Conflict

Context: Student A and Student B had a playground dispute and now work together awkwardly. They avoid eye contact.

Goal for Facilitator: Facilitate a brief restorative chat, encourage apology and focus on strengths.

Roles:

• Student A: still upset, arms crossed
• Student B: looks guilty, avoidant
• Facilitator: guide “I felt…” statements and identify positive next steps

After each scenario, discuss:

1. Which structured pairing or reinforcement strategy did you apply?
2. What positive reinforcement helped sustain the interaction?
3. How would you adapt this role-play for different grade levels or contexts?

Use insights to refine your action plan on the Implementation Reflection Sheet. Good luck!

Implementation Reflection Sheet

Use this sheet to turn your learning from the Social Support Toolkit into an actionable plan. Complete each section and keep this as a record of your goals and progress.

A. Prioritized Strategies

1. Strategy 1 I will implement first:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Strategy 2 I will implement next:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Strategy 3 I will consider after that:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

B. SMART Goal Setting

For each strategy above, write a SMART goal.

Strategy 1 SMART Goal

• Specific:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Measurable:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Achievable:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Relevant:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Time-Bound:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

Strategy 2 SMART Goal

• Specific:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Measurable:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Achievable:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Relevant:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Time-Bound:
  ____________________________________________________________
  
  
  
  
  
  

C. Supports & Resources Needed

What materials, training, or colleague support will help you succeed?
______________________________________________________________

D. Timeline & Success Indicators

1. Key milestones or checkpoints (dates or class events):
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How will you know you’re succeeding (student behaviors, data, observations)?
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

E. Potential Challenges & Solutions

List at least two possible barriers to implementation and your plans to address them.

1. Barrier: _____________________ Solution: _____________________
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Barrier: _____________________ Solution: _____________________
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

F. Follow-Up Plan

1. Date for follow-up reflection or peer check-in:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Accountability partner or team:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Next steps after check-in:
   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

Return to the Social Engagement Strategies Handout as you refine your plan. Keep this sheet visible and revisit it regularly to track your progress toward a more inclusive classroom climate.