…POSITIVE INTERACTION!!!!
As a principal of an alternative school, I work with middle and high school students who have been caught with drugs, who have out-of-control behavior, or have mental health issues. I’m often asked how I “control” the students. I’m asked what consequences I use. I’m asked how we MAKE them behave.
Well, I do none of those things!
I take the time to get to know each student. I want to know favorite hobbies/sports/friends. We talk football, hunting, movies, (I cannot talk music…clueless) etc. I share stories about my family. We play games (designed to improve brain processing) and laugh and laugh.
Why?
Each student should be heard! S/he has something positive to offer. Adults just need to take time to listen or help the student find it. The other day one of my new students thanked the staff for what we do. He said, “You really do care about us!” You’ve heard the saying, “A student needs to know how much you care before he cares how much you know.” Once I establish a good relationship, the student is going to be receptive to my requests for improved behavior.
Below, Randy Sprick has a simple outline on how to positive interact with students:
Interact positively with students. This involves three different skills.
A. Interact in a welcoming manner with every student.
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Say hello, use students’ names
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Show an interest in students—listen, converse.
B. Provide age appropriate, non-embarrassing positive feedback.
C. Strive to interact more frequently with every student when s/he is engaged in positive behavior than when s/he is engaged in negative behavior.
- Some students are starved for attention.
- What you pay the most attention to is what will occur more frequently in the future.
- Strive for at least 3:1 positive to negative ratios.
Designing Positive School-Wide Discipline Plans
www.safeandcivilschools.com
Randy Sprick, Ph.D.
One of the ways I pay attention to appropriate/positive behavior is by rewarding students with Positive Reinforcement Coupons. Even middle and high school students love the rewards. Here are few examples of the coupons:
I made coupons that can be printed in black and white (saves $$$).
The coupons can be printed or copied on colorful paper for middle and high school students. Yes, these are the same coupons above…just printed on colorful paper! This method lets the student write his name on the back in case it gets misplaced.
There are also some very cute coupons designed for elementary students. Students can take the coupon home to show their parents.
I also made colorful coupons that can be laminated and reused for middle and high school students. Although it does cost more initially, the long-term cost is minimal because the coupons are reused.
The most important thing is pay attention to the student when s/he is being good!