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Who Benefits from Behavior Logs?

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Lesson Plan

Behavior Logs Lesson Plan

Students will learn how behavior logs collect data, identify contributors and beneficiaries, and see how this data fosters a positive, inclusive classroom community.

By understanding who adds to and gains from behavior logs, students take ownership of their actions, support peers, and help teachers maintain a welcoming environment.

Audience

2nd Grade Special Education Class

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive slides, discussion, and a hands-on bulletin board activity.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Lesson Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Spot the Pattern

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Spot the Pattern Warm-Up Cards to pairs.
  • Ask pairs to sort cards by types of behaviors (positive/negative).
  • Invite a few pairs to share patterns they noticed with the class.

Step 2

Introduction: Behavior Log Overview

5 minutes

  • Launch the Behavior Log Intro Slides.
  • Define behavior logs and explain their purpose in simple terms.
  • Emphasize that logs help teachers, classmates, and each student know what’s going well.

Step 3

Who’s in the Logs? Slide Discussion

10 minutes

  • Present the Who’s in the Logs? Slide Deck.
  • Identify different contributors: students, teachers, aides.
  • Discuss who benefits: peers, teachers, and the class as a whole.
  • Pause after each slide for quick thumbs-up/thumbs-down checks for understanding.

Step 4

Impact Circle Discussion

10 minutes

  • Arrange students in a circle and introduce the Impact Circle Discussion Prompts.
  • Prompt: “How do you feel when someone notices your good choices?”
  • Prompt: “How can logs help someone learn from a mistake?”
  • Encourage full-sentence responses and validate each student’s contribution.

Step 5

Activity: Build the Behavior Bulletin Board

8 minutes

  • Provide each student with a behavior note from the Behavior Bulletin Board Activity Kit.
  • Students write or draw one positive behavior they’ll aim for this week.
  • Take turns posting notes on the bulletin board under “Our Goals.”
  • Teacher affixes any remaining notes.

Step 6

Closure: Reflection & Wrap-Up

2 minutes

  • Ask students to name one person who helps fill out logs and one way the logs help the class.
  • Reinforce that everyone plays a part in keeping the classroom a great place to learn.
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Warm Up

Spot the Pattern

Time: 5 minutes
Materials: Spot the Pattern Cards

Instructions

  1. In pairs, cut apart the cards below so each pair has all eight cards.
  2. Sort the cards into two piles: Positive Behaviors and Negative Behaviors.
  3. Look at each pile and notice what the behaviors have in common.
  4. Be ready to share one pattern your pair discovered with the class.

Spot the Pattern Cards (cut apart)

  • Card 1: Helena helps a friend tie their shoe.
  • Card 2: Marcus interrupts when others are talking.
  • Card 3: Sasha raises her hand before speaking.
  • Card 4: Leo pushes another student in line.
  • Card 5: Janelle shares her crayons with a classmate.
  • Card 6: Theo teases someone when they’re wrong.
  • Card 7: Kim cleans up the art supplies without being asked.
  • Card 8: Rico takes someone else’s pencil.

My Observations

Positive behaviors have:




Negative behaviors have:




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Lesson Plan

Behavior Log Intro

Define behavior logs and explain their purpose in the classroom, preparing students to explore who contributes to and benefits from them.

Giving students a clear, simple introduction to behavior logs empowers them to understand how data on daily actions helps everyone learn and grow.

Audience

2nd Grade Class

Time

5 minutes

Approach

Mini-lesson with slides, discussion, and quick comprehension checks

Materials

Behavior Log Intro Slides, Chart Paper, and Markers

Prep

Prepare Intro Materials

5 minutes

  • Queue up the Behavior Log Intro Slides.
  • Lay out chart paper and markers where all students can see.
  • Review the sample log entry you'll share during the slides.

Step 1

Warm-Up Question

1 minute

  • Ask: “What’s one time a teacher wrote down something you did well?”
  • Students think for a moment then share with a partner.

Step 2

Slide Presentation

3 minutes

  • Display the first three slides of the Behavior Log Intro Slides.
  • Define behavior log: a record of our good and not-so-good choices.
  • Explain why logs matter: to notice good work, learn from mistakes, and keep everyone informed.
  • Show a sample log entry (e.g., “Sasha helped clean up the art area”).

Step 3

Check for Understanding

1 minute

  • Read two statements aloud:
    1. “Behavior logs help teachers notice good choices.”
    2. “Logs are only for remembering mistakes.”
  • Students give thumbs-up if they agree, thumbs-down if they disagree.

Step 4

Transition to Next Section

<1 minute

  • Conclude: “Great job! Now we’ll discover who adds to these logs and who benefits from them.”
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Slide Deck

Who’s in the Logs?

Let’s explore who adds to behavior logs and who benefits from them.

Today, we’ll look at who adds information to our behavior logs and who gets help from them. Connect this to the idea that logs collect important classroom data.

Contributors to the Logs

• Students
• Teachers
• Classroom Aides

Read each contributor out loud. Ask students: “Who do you think writes in the log first—students, teachers, or aides?” Pause for a quick thumbs-up/thumbs-down check.

Students Add Entries

• Record when classmates make good choices
• Write personal goals to improve
• Share ideas to help friends succeed

Explain that when students notice good choices or set goals, they can write those in the log. Ask for an example from the class. Pause for understanding.

Teachers & Aides Add Entries

• Note positive behaviors to celebrate
• Track areas where students need practice
• Monitor progress over time

Describe how teachers and aides support students by recording positive behaviors and areas to practice. Invite one student to give a thumbs-up if they’ve seen this happen.

Who Benefits from the Logs?

• Students learn from feedback
• Peers feel proud when noticed
• Teachers see patterns to guide lessons

Highlight that logs aren’t just for writing—they help everyone learn. Ask: “Who benefits when logs show good choices?” Pause for quick responses.

Example Benefits

• Sasha noticed she raised her hand five days in a row
• The class set a new goal to line up quietly
• Teacher used logs to plan a celebration

Walk through each example slowly. Encourage students to relate these to their own experiences. Pause for thumbs-up when they’ve heard one they recognize.

Quick Check

Thumbs-up if you agree: Behavior logs help our classroom stay positive.

Ask students to give a thumbs-up if they agree that behavior logs help the whole class. If anyone gives a thumbs-down, invite them to share why.

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Discussion

Impact Circle Discussion

Time: 10 minutes
Materials: None (just our voices!)
Setup: Have students sit in a circle so everyone can see each other.

Discussion Guidelines

  • Speak one at a time when it’s your turn.
  • Listen respectfully to your classmates.
  • Use full sentences and explain your thinking.
  • Nod or give a thumbs-up if you agree with someone’s answer.

Prompts & Space to Write

  1. How do you feel when someone notices your good choices?






    Follow-up: Can you share a time someone noticed you doing something good?





  2. How can behavior logs help someone learn from a mistake?






    Follow-up: Why is it helpful to see what we did and how we can do better next time?





  3. Who helps add entries to our behavior logs, and who benefits when logs show our progress?






    Follow-up: How does it make you feel when your classmates or teacher notice you trying your best?

Sentence Starters

  • "I feel ____ when someone writes down my good choices because _____."
  • "Behavior logs help me by _____."
  • "Seeing my mistake in the log reminds me to _____ next time."

Teacher Tips:

  • Encourage every student to share one idea.
  • Validate each response and connect answers back to Who’s in the Logs? Slide Deck.
  • Reinforce that every voice matters in making our classroom community strong.
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Activity

Build the Behavior Bulletin Board

Time: 8 minutes
Materials: Behavior Bulletin Board Activity Kit, bulletin board space labeled “Our Goals”, markers or crayons, tape or push pins

Instructions

  1. Introduce the bulletin board titled Our Goals and explain its purpose: to display positive behaviors we aim to practice.
  2. Distribute one note card from the Behavior Bulletin Board Activity Kit to each student.
  3. Invite students to draw or write one positive behavior they will focus on this week (e.g., “I will listen quietly” or “I will share my materials”).


  4. Have students take turns coming up and placing their card on the bulletin board under Our Goals, and briefly share their goal with the class.
  5. Teacher assists with affixing any remaining cards and praises all contributions.

Teacher Tips

  • Encourage clear, simple words or drawings for non‐writers.
  • Remind students that these goals will be revisited throughout the week.
  • Celebrate when goals are met by adding a star or sticker next to the card.
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