Module 1: SOS: Helping Students Become Independent Learners
Assessment
1. Discuss three advantages of using a self-directed behavior strategy rather
than using a teacher-directed behavior one.
The self-directed behavior strategy benefits the students by:
 Providing immediate feedback for the student
 Encouraging student responsibility
 Empowering the student
 Encouraging self-control
 Teaching valuable life skills
This strategy will also free up the teacher’s time by making it the
responsibility of the student to monitor their behavior and performance.
2. Give two examples of behaviors for which self-regulation would be an
appropriate choice for a teacher to use. Explain why they are appropriate.
If the student is able to control the behavior (it’s not impulsive or out of
control) and it occurs frequently during a given time period then the student
would be a good candidate for self regulation. If the student is raising their
hand too many times or staring out the window/daydreaming frequently,
then they are good candidates because they can be easily observed doing the
behavior and they are capable of performing the target behavior without a
lot monitoring from the teacher.
3. Give two examples of behaviors for which self-regulation would NOT be an
appropriate choice for a teacher to use. Explain why they are not
appropriate.
If the student is getting in fights almost every day or starts crying
sporatically, then the student would not be a good candidate for self
regulation because those things don’t occur numerous times in a short period
of time and they don’t seem to be able to control the behavior.
4. Discuss the advantages of each of the four strategies highlighted in this
module.
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Self-monitoring (also called self-assessment or self-recording)provides more immediate feedback than teacher can provide to the
student, improvement of teacher and student behavior over time,
improves communication between parent and student and increases
the student awareness of their own behavior.
Self-instruction (also called self-talk)-utilizes teachers' time
efficiently, provides students with an element of control over their
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learning and requires a minimal amount of time to maintain skills
once they are developed
Goal-setting-offers structure by specifying a target goal, provides
feedback on progress and motivates performance.
Self-reinforcement-produces substantial improvement in
performance, actively involves students in their learning
environment, teaches a skill beneficial to independent adult living and
creates greater changes than teacher-imposed rewards.
Module 2: Who's in Charge? Developing a Comprehensive
Behavior Management System
1. Why is it important to have a classroom management plan? What are the most
important elements that your plan should include?
The teacher needs to have a classroom management plan to create consistency,
order and organization. Theses things will help create an effective classroom.
The most important elements are:
 Understanding of Cultural Influences on Behavior
 Statement of Purpose
 Rules and Expectations
 Consequences
 Procedures
 Action Plan
2. At the beginning of this module, you learned about six key assumptions that are
critical for a comprehensive classroom management system. Pick two that you think
a beginning teacher like Ms. Rollison might have difficulty following and develop
some strategies to help her to determine whether she is following these guidelines:
Six Key Assumptions
Invest time at the front end
Focus on positive behaviors
Teach well
Provide supports
Be educative, not vindictive
Be persistent and consistent
She should focus on investing time at the front end and focus on positive behaviors.
If she creates a good plan including rules and procedures, she doesn’t need to be
correcting and teaching them all year. If she reinforces positive behaviors, she
doesn’t give so much attention to the negative behaviors and inspires those students
who aren’t getting the attention to work on it.
Strategies for investing time on rules and procedures:
Make a list of rules.
List necessary procedures.
Develop steps for procedures.
If she develops these prior to the start of school, she will following the guidelines
and have a better outcome.
Develop a system to reward positive behavior and make it more dominant than bad
behavior. If she has a prize system, extra reward like recess or computer time set up,
the kids know what can be worked towards for good behavior.
3. What should teachers keep in mind when delivering positive and negative
consequences?
Consequences should be: clear and specific, relate directly to statement of purpose,
rules, and procedures, possess a range of intensity or hierarchy of alternatives, and
are natural and logical.
When delivering consequences, you should:
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Apply them consistently
Use the power of proximity
Make direct eye contact
Use a soft voice
Be firm and anger-free
Link the consequence to the expected behaviors
Never accept excuses, bargaining, or whining
Be educative, not vindictive
4. How can procedures that are well developed and specifically taught reduce
behavior problems?
Procedures should be created and conveyed that they have a meaning and purpose.
Tell the students:
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Why the procedure is needed
Where the procedure is needed
When the procedure is needed
How the procedure should be implemented
If the students know what is expected of them in every situation, then there areless
instances of them misbehaving and doing the wrong thing.