Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

5. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOURAL STRATEGIES AND

INTERVENTIONS

This section will

• examine classroom techniques for addressing behavioural issues
• explain the process and strategies for working with behavioural
concerns
• provide examples of the positive strategies and resources
available to address behaviour

Before anything else, This section will focus on classroom strategies and interventions that address
getting ready is the the discipline/behavioural challenges of students who are alcohol-affected. It is
important to remember that these students have permanent neurological damage
secret of success.
that will make changing behaviour difficult. Some of the behaviour management
strategies used with other students may not be successful for the child who is
alcohol-affected.
Unique and individual interventions are more important than any prescribed
behaviour program. Some examples of useful interventions include building
relationships, adapting the environment, managing sensory stimulation,
changing communication strategies, providing prompts and cues, using a teach,
review, and reteach process, and developing social skills.
The classroom teacher needs to ensure acceptance for all students in the
classroom. Teachers’ actions that can promote acceptance include
• choosing learning materials to represent all groups of students
• ensuring that all students can participate in extra activities
• valuing, respecting, and talking about differences
• celebrating cultural and ethnic differences
• ensuring that learning activities are designed for a variety of abilities
• ensuring that all students are protected from name-calling or other forms of
abusive language
• modelling acceptance

Setting the Stage

This subsection will provide suggestions for how a teacher can prepare the
groundwork for working with a student who is alcohol-affected. This
preparation can assist in preventing behavioural difficulties.

Developing Classroom Rules

Well-defined rules in the classroom can prevent many behavioural difficulties.
When students are involved in the development of the rules, they are more
likely to adhere to them and understand why they have been put into place.

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Students who are Classroom rules should be limited in number (usually five or less) and
alcohol-affected do stated in positive terms. Once the rules have been developed and taught, they
should be applied consistently. Most students, and especially those who are
better in classrooms
alcohol-affected, will perform better in classrooms that are structured,
that are structured,
predictable, and consistent.
predictable, and
consistent. Teaching Classroom Rules
Creating the rules is only the beginning. Once agreed upon, the rules should be
taught to the students and posted in the classroom in both print and visual
formats. The rules should be explained using clear, concise language. As well,
they should be explained through the use of specific examples and role-playing.
These concrete activities are very beneficial for the student who is alcohol-
affected. As well, the teacher should teach that rules may be different in special
areas (e.g., the lunchroom, hallway, school bus, or playground).
A rule should also be explained according to “what it is” and “what it is not.” Each
rule should be explained in detail to ensure
Teaching rules: Example of Classroom Rules*
that students understand what is included in
the rule. The first week of a new school year • Keep your hands and feet to
1. Teach
is an effective time to develop and teach the yourself except for
2. Review rules. The classroom rules should also be something nice.
3. Reteach shared with parents at the start of the year, • Do your job.
and reviewed frequently throughout the year.
• Respect yourself and others.
Students who are alcohol-affected may need • Act safely.
additional instruction and reminders to be
• Take care of the
sure the rules are understood and
environment and the things
remembered. Teachers should remind the
in it.
student of the rules at key times, and in a
variety of contexts, during the day. Students’
behaviours should be acknowledged and reinforced when the rules are followed
appropriately.

Positive Classroom Discipline

Teachers need to build a classroom
environment where positive For more information,
interactions are the norm and punitive see Preventing
consequences are minimized. Research Antisocial Behaviour in
the Schools (Mayer, G. Roy,
indicates that coercive or punitive
1995).
environments actually promote
antisocial behaviour.

* Reproduced by permission of Lakewood School, St. James Assiniboia S.D. No. 2.s

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 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

It is important that teachers provide immediate, frequent, and positive feedback.

The value of a positive versus a punitive procedure is summarized in the
following chart.

Comparison of Punitive Methods and Positive Classroom Discipline*

Management Strategies Positive Classroom Management

Punitive Procedures Strategies
• rapidly stop behaviour • slowly stop behaviour
• provide immediate relief • provide no immediate relief to the
(reinforcement) to the teacher teacher
• teach the student and peers what • teach the student and peers what
not to do to do
• decrease positive self-statements • increase positive self-statements
(self-concept) (self-concept)
• decrease positive attitudes toward • increase positive attitudes toward
school and school work school and schoolwork
• cause withdrawal (tardiness, • promote enhanced participation
truancy, dropping out) • decrease likelihood of aggression
• cause aggression (against property • teach students to recognize the
and others) positive
• teach students to respond in a • can enhance student-teacher
punitive manner relationships
• can harm student-teacher
relationships

Positive feedback Effective feedback should be immediate and follow the demonstration of an
should occur three appropriate behaviour, the use of a routine, or the successful completion of
teacher instructions. Research has shown that positive reinforcement can lead to
times as frequently
improved behaviour. A good general rule is that positive feedback should occur
as negative feedback.
three times as frequently as negative feedback. The positive feedback does not
always have to be verbal – it can also include praise, hugs, smiles, handshakes,
nods, and eye contact.

* From “Preventing Antisocial Behaviour in the Schools” by G.R. Mayer and B. Sulzer-
Azcroff. Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis 28. Reprinted by permission.

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As well, the use of positive reinforcers

can have a positive influence on For additional
behaviours. Remember, because information on the use
students who are alcohol-affected have of positive reinforcers,
see Classroom Management: A
difficulty with cause and effect, this
California Resource Guide
approach may not always be (Mayer, G. Roy, 2000).
successful. A reinforcer is an object or
event that is given to the student for
performing a desirable behaviour. Reinforcers need to be carefully chosen to ensure
they can be delivered with relatively little effort or planning. Teachers need to have
a wide variety of reinforcers available because they will not all work equally well
with each student. A good way to choose reinforcers is to involve the student in the
selection process. As the student’s behaviour improves, the teacher should gradually
move away from external rewards and replace them with intrinsic rewards. A list of
possible positive consequences is included at the end of this section.
Consequences may not always work with students who are alcohol-affected.
However, their use is appropriate in specific situations. All of the students will
face consequences in their daily lives as adults. Therefore, they will need to
learn to deal with the consequences in the same way that other students do. The
consequences should be carefully selected, pre-determined, consistently applied,
and used expeditiously.
It may be important to remember that these children may learn best when the
consequences are “real” and immediate rather than convenient and delayed. For
example, it might be more useful to require a child to finish up his or her work
during ‘choice time’ rather than impose a detention (Jones, 2000).

Teaching Classroom Routines

5 Steps Classrooms with structured routines and clear procedures are recommended for
in Teaching students who are alcohol-affected. Teachers should establish routines for
Classroom students and set expectations regarding classroom procedures (e.g., getting
Routines down to work, arrivals, departures, completing assignments, keeping occupied
after work is finished, and transitioning from one assignment or subject area to
1. Explain
the next).
2. Demonstrate Most students learn routines and procedures quickly. Students who are alcohol-
and Model affected may need additional instruction. For these students, teachers may wish
to consider the following five-step process.
3. Rehearse/
Guided Practice 1. Explain. The teacher explains the routine and the reasons for its use. It is
explained in easy to understand language using short, concise sentences. Key
4. Perform messages are repeated.
Independently
2. Demonstrate and Model. If the routine is complicated, the teacher breaks it
5. Review/Reteach down into smaller steps. A visual or written chart supports the verbal
instruction. Once the routine is explained in detail, the teacher demonstrates or
models the task, using the student’s visual or written plan. The teacher then asks
the students to repeat the step. Occasionally, parts of the routine will need to be
adapted in order to increase independence.

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 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

3. Rehearse/Guided Practice. As students practise the routine, corrective

feedback is provided by the teacher. Advanced students can role-play the steps
or act as a “buddy” to a student who is alcohol-affected. The teacher uses subtle
prompts to help students who forget steps. If the routine is to be used in several
areas of the school, practices are arranged in the different locations.
4. Perform Independently. The student performs the routine during the course
of the regular school day. Students who are alcohol-affected are given cues as to
when the strategy should be used. Praise and encouragement are given for
successful completion of the routine.
5. Review/Reteach. The teacher periodically reviews the routine and reteaches
it. For students with memory problems, cue cards (which outline the steps of the
routine, and can be taped to notebooks or on desks) may be useful.
Some key routines that need to be taught to students who are alcohol-affected
include procedures for
• using a locker
“External Brain”
• entering a classroom Some students who are alcohol-
• getting ready to work affected will require the
• problem solving assistance of an “external brain”
to help them make decisions,
• asking for help
remember rules and routines,
• completing assignments and problem solve. The role of
• checking completed work the “external brain” may be
• turning in projects on time filled by a classroom peer, senior
• leaving the room student, volunteer, or
paraprofessional.
• using an agenda book
• handling the lunch room
• controlling anger
• transitioning to the next class
• using a computer
• keeping occupied
• writing a book report
Some students will Teachers should only focus on two or three routines at any one time. Examples
require routines for of routines with visual prompts are included at the end of this section.
everything. Classroom Meetings
Classroom meetings are a useful way to promote a positive classroom
atmosphere. They encourage effective communication between the teacher and
the students, and provide a good opportunity for the teacher to remind students
of individual differences and to involve special students in all classroom
activities. The meetings should be held on a regular basis. The teacher and
students should work together to establish ground rules for the meetings.

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Meeting ground rules might include:

• Students must show mutual respect.
• Only one student speaks at a time.
• Students help each other.
• Issues (e.g., resolving conflicts, planning special activities or events, sharing
information, reviewing classroom rules) are addressed.
Part of the ground rules should also involve deciding how the outcomes of the
meeting will be recorded (e.g., minutes, board summary).
For a student who is alcohol-affected, the above rules may require oral and
visual explanation, demonstrating, role-playing, and positive reinforcement.

Home-School Communication
Maintaining close contact between the school and the home can prevent
misunderstandings. One of the ways is to use a “communication book” to
review the day’s events and share information. The book should be designed
carefully to ensure that it is easy to use and understand.
A home-school communication book has several benefits for the student. It can
• assist with organizational skills
• improve self-esteem
• assist with homework/assignment reminders
• help with self-monitoring
• involve students in the communication process
The student’s parents should meet with the in-school team to plan for the use of
the communication book. The planning should address the following questions:
• How will the book travel back and forth?
• What type of information will be documented by the school? by the home?
• Who will write in the book at the school?
The front of the communication book should list the staff who are involved with
the student and the school’s key contact person. The school may wish to
develop a pre-formatted, duplicated sheet to use in the book (to keep the
communication structured and limited to a reasonable length). Whenever
possible, students should help to prepare the communications between home
and school. For students who are alcohol-affected, a form with visuals can be
useful. For Middle and Senior Years students, it may be possible to modify the
existing school agenda book to serve as a communication tool.
Home-school communication books can create challenges for both parents and
the school. These include
• transporting the book back and forth
• maintaining positive communication
• developing responsibility for monitoring
• ensuring it is age-appropriate
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 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

• ensuring the book is utilized by several teachers in a day

When writing in a communication book, parents and teachers should
• keep comments as positive as possible
• keep communications short and to the point
• respond to each other’s questions and comments (this ensures the book is
being read on a daily basis)
• ask each other for suggestions and ideas
• have the student contribute to the book when possible
• record reminders of upcoming dates and events
Teachers should ask parents for suggestions on what works at home.

* From Teaching Students with Autism: A Resource Guide for Schools by Autism Society of
British Columbia. Reprinted by permission.

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Classroom Strategies
This subsection will provide strategies for addressing behavioural concerns of
students who are alcohol-affected.

Teaching Social Skills

The goal of social skills instruction is to teach socially acceptable behaviours
that will help students be accepted by their classroom peers and teachers, and
provide life-long skills.
Students who are alcohol-affected often require extra attention in the
development of social skills. Social skills can be taught to the entire classroom,
to individual students, or to small groups of students.
Several examples of social skills are included in the chart below.

Academic Survival Skills Peer Relationship Skills

• complies with teacher’s requests • introduces self by name
• follows directions • shares with others
• requests help when needed • asks permission
• greets the teacher • takes turns
• provides appreciative feedback • invites others to participate
• nods to communicate • assists others
understanding • cares for physical appearance
• demonstrates listening skills • gets attention appropriately
• develops play repertoire (Early • has conversation skills
Years)
• displays control
• problem solves
• negotiates
• gives and receives compliments
• respects personal space
• displays empathy toward others
• identifies and expresses emotions
in self and others
• uses appropriate language

All of the above skills can be measured or rated by teachers using rating scales or
observation. Once a teacher has identified skills that need to be taught, he or she can
begin to develop appropriate instructional strategies on a formal or informal basis.
Once taught, the skills need to be prompted and reinforced in many settings to be
used effectively.

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 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

Teaching Social Some students will

Skills require individual For additional information on social
interventions to skills instruction, see:
1. Identify the skill
address their social
to focus on • “Second Step” program (The Committee for
skills. Individual
Children, Seattle, WA)
2. Teach, review, skills that require • “Skills for Growing Lion’s-Quest Program”
reteach attention should be (Lion’s-Quest Canada)
identified and • The Tough Kid Social Skills Book (Sheridan,
3. Model and role- prioritized by the Susan, and Tom Oling, 1995)
play teacher. The teacher • Skillstreaming in Early Childhood: Teaching
then uses a structured Prosocial Skills to the Preschool and
4. Provide Kindergarten Child (McGinnis, Ellen, and
teaching process with
feedback and Arnold Goldstein, 1990)
the student. The skills
reminders • Skillstreaming the Elementary School Child:
need to be taught,
New Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching
5. Transfer and reviewed, and
Prosocial Skills, Revised Edition (McGinnis,
generalize to retaught until they Ellen, and Arnold Goldstein, 1997)
other locations can be generalized to • School Success: A Self-Concept Approach to
the settings, times, Teaching, Learning, and Educational
and situations. Based Practice. 3rd ed. (Purkey, W.W., and J. M.
on the work of Ellen Novak, 1996)
McGinnis and Arnold • Skillstreaming the Adolescent: New
Goldstein in their Strategies and Perspectives for Teaching
Skillstreaming books, Prosocial Skills, Revised Edition (McGinnis,
a four-step process is Ellen, and Arnold Goldstein, 1997)
recommended.
1. modelling
2. role-playing
3. performance feedback
4. transfer training

Teaching Social Stories

Social stories are used to help students with disabilities develop social skills.
The concept of social stories was first developed by Carol Gray, a consultant for
Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan. Social stories can be used to teach
new social skills, routines, behaviours, and transitions.
Social stories present appropriate social
behaviours in the form of a story. The For additional
stories are designed to include the information on social
answers to questions about acting stories, please see
Writing Social Stories with Carol
appropriately in social situations
Gray and/or The New Social
(usually who, what, when, where, and Stories: Illustrated Edition (Gray,
why). Some social stories include Carol, 1994). These materials
visuals to help students understand the are available from “Future
social situations. Horizons.”

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Social stories are often read to

or with a student prior to a
specific social situation (e.g., *
the lunchroom, recess, or bus
ride). They can also be used to
teach routines (e.g., asking for
help, responding to anger,
completing a task). Social
stories appear to be a promising
method for teaching social
behaviours.

Self-Calming Procedures
When students who are alcohol-
affected become disruptive or
overstimulated in the classroom,
the teacher may need to provide
a space for them to calm down.
This space can be selected by
the student and might include a
carrel, special corner of the
room, or an area removed from the general classroom. The students will need to
be told when they need to move to their calming space. These placements
should be short in duration (5-10 minutes). At the end of the calming time, the
teacher should welcome the student back to the main classroom area.
The calming space might receive a special name (e.g., Student office, Sharon’s
space). For younger students the area should be in the classroom; for older
students an area outside the classroom may be considered (e.g., the school
lounge, resource area, or guidance room). This area should contain items to help
the student calm down, such as calming music. The main benefit of a calming
area is that the students can use the space and time to regain control. As much
as possible, students should be encouraged to enter their calming space on their
own.
If more intrusive forms of calming are being considered, parents, guardians, the
school administration, and the school psychologist should be involved in
developing a formal plan for the intervention. The plan will require parental
involvement, parental permission, specific procedures, staff training, and a
systematic method of record keeping.

* Reprinted from the Xplanatory Research Seminars. Available online at dddddddd

<www.thegraycenter.org>. Reprinted by permission.

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 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

Personal Safety Programs

Students who are alcohol-affected can
be very vulnerable to abuse. It is Personal Safety
therefore important for the student to Programs: One
program that can be
be involved in existing or specially
used for students who are
designed school safety programs, such alcohol-affected is the Circles
as Feeling Yes, Feeling No (National Program (James Stanfield
Film Board). If an existing program is Publishing Company), which
being used, an individual follow-up to helps students establish
the program should be planned. appropriate boundaries when
dealing with others. Another
Group Programs effective program is The
There are several programs that can Friendship Circles Program,
found in Tough Kids and
be used to address behavioural
Substance Abuse (Jones et al,
concerns. These programs can be used 2000 — see p. 5.35).
with students who are alcohol-affected
and the general student population.
There are also many strategies and interventions that can be used by the
classroom teacher and paraprofessional in the classroom. The chart below shows
a selection of strategies or areas being addressed in many schools across
Manitoba.

Conflict Resolution Skills Anger Management Stress Management

• playground conflict • Lions-Quest • relaxation techniques
manager • RID • deep breathing
• talk-it-out corners • Empathy • walking
• mediation programs • Second Step • exercise
• positive talking
• How Does Your Engine
Run?
After School Programs Community Service Support Groups
• academic enrichment • personal development • relationships
• recreation • senior centre • women’s issues
• friendship centres • daycare • drinking/drug issues
• hospital • family
• group home

Bullying Prevention
• victimization
• bullying
• vulnerability
• awareness

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Resolving Behavioural Incidents

Addressing a Teachers and administrators are often called upon to resolve behavioural
Problem incidents involving students who are alcohol-affected. The following
suggestions may be useful to reduce the escalation of behavioural incidents.
1. Speak slowly
Review the incident as soon as possible. Try to deal with the incident as
2. Speak calmly quickly as possible once the student has calmed down.
3. Use short Actively listen. Take time for the student to tell you his or her side of the story.
concise phrases Paraphrase and use eye contact to demonstrate that you are listening. Note that
students who are alcohol-affected may shut down when confronted by an
4. Avoid blame authority figure. Sometimes, a walk around the school with the student can help
him or her to relax and begin talking. The teacher or administrator may
5. Review/reteach
encourage the student to draw his or her story.
6. Build Use non-threatening questions. Ask questions that focus on “how” and “what”
relationships instead of “why.” Students who are alcohol-affected may not remember,
understand, or be able to articulate what happened, or may have acted
impulsively. Open-ended questions may be most useful. Questions should be
asked in a calm, quiet tone using slow, short, concise phrases. A simple problem-
solving procedure using graphics or pictures may be helpful (see p. 5.23).
Try not to blame. Focus on teaching the right behaviour or a replacement
behaviour. For example, ask “How can we avoid this problem the next time?” or
“What behaviour would have worked better than hitting?” Consider using role-
play, modeling, and rehearsing to teach a new behaviour. Present new ideas in a
concrete way, one at a time. Remember that ideas may need to be reinforced
and re-taught several times.
Show personal interest in the student. End the review of the incident with a
positive comment or a personal question. Follow up with the student and other
classroom teachers in order to reinforce the new skill that is desired.

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 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

Special Consequences
Is it unfair to treat Most schools have developed a code of conduct that addresses student
students differently? behaviour. Often these codes of conduct outline the consequences of particular
behaviours (e.g., a suspension for hitting or fighting). However, students who
No. It is
are alcohol-affected may need consequences to be modified in order to meet
unprofessional to
their needs. Consider the following suggestions when handling exceptions to the
treat them the same. code of conduct:
• Every effort should be made to
include proactive prevention Explaining Differences to Students
and exemplary supervision It is sometimes necessary to explain
strategies to avoid the need for to students that each is a unique
a major consequence. human being. Teachers must
• The student’s support team address students’ individual needs.
should discuss with the For example, a teacher may ask a
administration and staff student with a vision or hearing
exceptions that might be problem to sit in the front of the
required. The communication classroom. In the same way,
of special circumstances can teachers need to address
prevent issues from arising at a
behavioural problems based on
later time.
each student’s needs. (For
• An Individual Education Plan example, that is why two students
documents the plan to address
who are in a fight may sometimes
the behavioural difficulties that
be treated differently). Often,
have been addressed by the
planning team. the students will see that it makes
sense to treat students in unique
• Suspension and expulsion for
ways.
students who are alcohol-
affected should be limited to
exceptional circumstances.

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Student-Specific Interventions
The strategies below should be student specific and include a specific strategy
for evaluation.
Classroom Settings
Strategies for Easing Frustration with
Day 1
Directions
• use concrete language (stay away from
generalizations) Gym
• keep directions short and to the point
• rephrase instructions, breaking them down
into small steps ELA
• use visual cues
• use pictures to illustrate steps in a process
• use sign prompts (e.g., red traffic light or stop Lunch
sign)
• print task-related steps on a chart using short,
concise sentences Science

Strategies for Reducing Stimulation

• use preferential seating or create a low-
distraction seating area Social
Studies
• keep the student’s desk uncluttered
• designate a special classroom space where the
student can go for quiet time
• adapt the classroom to reduce stimulation (e.g., use velcro covers for bulletin
boards)
• use study carrels or work stations in the corner of the room
• use earphones with relaxing music
Strategies for Reinforcing Routine and Structure
• make the student aware of his or her timetable
• post timetables (with pictures) to show daily routines
• prepare students for transitions or changes
• make special arrangements for recess and lunch time, if necessary
• use a “buddy system” for bus travel
• establish rules that are easy to follow and understand
• establish a routine for everything

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 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

Strategies for Dealing with Overactivity

• provide squeeze balls to students
• send the student on a “school walkabout” (with an assistant)
• arrange for physical time in the gymnasium
• use a rocking chair or floor cushions
• precede focused activity with movement
• build breaks into the schedule
• use a signal to tell students to return to their tasks
Strategies for Transitions
• use visual, colour-coded, or written plans
• use social stories
• pre-warn the student of transitions
• use the same substitute teacher whenever possible
• provide early release from classrooms
• use consistent rules and consequences between classroom teachers and
specialists
• ensure ongoing communication among team members
Strategies for Handling Outbursts and Tantrums
• anticipate and identify warning signs
• remove students from the classroom
• debrief the student after the incident – focus on what could have been done
differently
• teach the correct behaviour (don’t blame)
• teach a routine for preventing an outburst
• invite the student to help solve future problems
• avoid power struggles and put-downs
• determine the cause of the outburst
Strategies for Dealing with Peer Problems
• teach disability awareness to all children
• use the “Circle of Friends” strategy
• involve all students in special activities
• teach students how to make and keep friends
• ensure that staff members model acceptance and accept differences
• set up recess and noon-hour activities that result in success
• involve students in a social skills instructional group

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Non-Classroom Settings
Students who are alcohol-affected often experience difficulty adjusting to non-
classroom school settings such as the playground, school bus, lunch room,
gymnasium, and library. For a student to be successful in non-classroom
settings, extra planning and supports may be required. In addition, special
training may be necessary for the support personnel working in these areas (e.g.,
the bus driver, lunchroom supervisor, library technician).
Strategies for Addressing Playground/Recess Challenges
• consider an alternate recess time
• structure recess activities (e.g., arrange specific activities, teach games,
assign specific equipment, designate specific areas)
• consider alternatives to recess (e.g., use of computer room, games room,
gymnasium activity)
• ask a student to act as a buddy or helper during recess
• provide clear choices to the student (keep them limited in number)
• assign a paraprofessional to a small number of students to participate in a
closely supervised activity on the playground or in the school
• involve students who are alcohol-affected in helping younger students
• prepare students for recess by reviewing expectations and procedures
• develop a plan for handling emergency situations that occur on the
playground
• make sure the student is ready for the transition to recess and back into
school
Strategies for Addressing Lunch Hour Concerns
• provide information and training to students about lunch room expectations
and procedures
• post lunch room rules in print and visual formats
• provide training to lunch room supervisors
• consider an alternate lunch setting for a small number of students
• develop a plan with the school administration for handling emergency
situations
• teach a lunch hour routine
• arrange activities for students to fill the remainder of the lunch break (e.g.,
extracurricular activities, intramurals, clubs, videos)
• assign seating in the lunchroom with appropriate peers
• develop a safety plan

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 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

Strategies for School Bus Planning

• provide training to the bus driver on strategies for working with students
who are alcohol-affected
• provide classroom and on-bus training to students
• use a bus seating plan, placing students who are alcohol-affected with
appropriate peers
• post bus rules
• install a video camera on the bus
For additional
• use “bus patrols” to assist with information on planning
student behaviour on the bus for behavioural
• install seat belts or harnesses for difficulties at the divisional,
selected students school, and classroom level, see
From Challenges to Possibilities:
• provide the bus driver with incident Planning for Behaviour (Manitoba
forms for reporting serious Education, Training and Youth
incidents 2001).
• for students with severe difficulties,
it may be necessary for a bus monitor or an educational assistant to ride on
the bus with the student
• teach and reteach routines and expectations
• use social stories to prepare students for the bus ride
A reminder: Working with students who are alcohol-affected is an ongoing
process that involves planning, organizing, providing structure, developing
routines, and cueing students. Strategies and procedures will need to be adjusted
and revised as the year progresses. Teachers should take the time to celebrate
even small successes.

This section has focused on strategies and interventions that can be

used in the classroom. Effective planning at the classroom and
individual student level can prevent small problems from developing
into major behavioural concerns. The next section will focus on
planning for behavioural difficulties using Individual Education Plans.

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NOTES

5.18
Section 5 Support Materials

• Recess & Choice Time Plan

• Problem Solving Guide
• Reflection Sheet
• List of Positive Consequences for Individual Students
• My Picture Plan
• Using RID to Reduce Your Anger
• Stress Control
• The Friendship Circles Program
 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

Recess & Choice Time Plan

5.21
 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

5.23
Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

5.25
 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

* Reprinted from Orchestrating Positive and Practical Behaviour Plans by Dawn Reithaug.
Copyright © 1998 Dawn Reithaug. Reprinted with permission.

5.27
 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

* Reprinted from Orchestrating Positive and Practical Behaviour Plans by Dawn Reithaug.
Copyright © 1998 Dawn Reithaug. Reprinted with permission.

5.29
 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

* Reprinted from Working Toward Peace by Lions-Quest. Reprinted by permission.

5.31
 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

* From A Collection of Strategies For Teachers of Students with FAS/E by the Coalition on
Alcohol and Pregnancy Education Committee. Reprinted by permission.

5.33
 Classroom Behavioural Strategies and Interventions

* From Tough Kids and Substance Abuse by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. Reprinted
by permission.

5.35