Academic and Behavioral Interventions

Are you looking for strategies to help students who do not wait for the teacher to arrive? If so, keep reading.

1. Select a peer to model appropriate behavior for the student when a supervisor is detained (e.g., remain seat or designated area, remain quiet, work on a designated task, etc.).

2. Get the student to question any directions, explanations, or instructions not grasped.

3. Select a peer to supervise the student when an instructor is detained.

4. Give a list of possible learning activities for the students to take part in when an instructor is detained (e.g., write a letter to a friend, work on designated tasks, organize work area, look at a magazine, etc.).

5. Along with instructions, give an incentive statement (e.g., “If you wait quietly, you can have five minutes of free time.”).

6. Make sure the student knows when it is acceptable to get others’ attention (e.g., in an emergency).

7. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for waiting properly for a supervisor.

8. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., remain seated or in designated area, remain quiet, and work on designated task) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

9. Provide instructions in a compassionate rather than a menacing manner (e.g., “Please wait quietly.” rather than “You had better wait quietly or else!”).

10. Praise the student for waiting properly for a supervisor to arrive based on the duration of time the student can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

11. Praise those students in the classroom who remain in their seats or designated area, remain quiet, and work on designated tasks.

12. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. • Raise your hand. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

13. Converse with the student to explain (a) what the student is doing wrong (e.g., leaving seat, talking, making noises, etc.) and (b) what the student should be doing (e.g., sitting in seat or designated area, remaining quiet, etc.).

14. Praise the student for waiting properly for a supervisor to arrive: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

15. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

18. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for ways to teach students to follow classroom rules? If so, keep reading.

1. Provide consistent rules, routine (schedule), and general expectations of conduct and procedure.

2. Take the student away from the learning experience until they can demonstrate acceptable behavior and self-control.

3. Help the student find specific rules they have difficulty following and make these areas goals for behavior improvement.

4. Separate the student from the peer(s) who stimulates their unacceptable behavior.

5. Make sure that rules and behavior expectations are consistent throughout the school and classrooms.

6. Along with instructions, give an incentive statement (e.g., “On occasions where you finish your math, you may go outside to play.” or “You may have free time after you finish your work.”).

7. Intervene early and often when there is a problem to prevent more severe problems from happening.

8. Prior to beginning a new learning experience, make sure the student knows the classroom rules.

9. Teach the student to think before acting (e.g., ask themselves, “What is happening?” “What am I doing?” “What should I do?” “What will be best for me?”).

10. Assess the appropriateness of the designated task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

11. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for following the rules of the classroom.

12. Give the student a list of rules and/or behavior expectations.

13. Praise the student for following the rules of the classroom: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

14. Praise the student for following the rules of the classroom based on the duration of time the student can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

15. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Complete assignments quietly. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

16. Talk with the student to explain(a) what the student is doing wrong (e.g., failing to follow classroom rules) and (b) what the student should be doing (e.g., following the rules of the classroom).

17. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., following classroom rules) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

18. Praise those students who follow the rules of the classroom.

19. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

20. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

22. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

23. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for strategies to teach students to follow classroom rules? If so, keep reading.

1. Organize their surroundings so that the student remains active and involved while demonstrating acceptable behavior.

2. Provide visibility to and from the student. The teacher and the student should be able to see each other. Make eye contact possible at all times.

3. Be a consistent authority figure (e.g., be consistent in relationship with the student).

4. Show tasks in the most exciting and attractive manner possible.

5. Get the student to keep a chart representing the amount of time spent following classroom rules, with reinforcement for increasing acceptable behavior.

6. Make sure you are regularly in proximity to the student.

7. Give the student many chances for social and academic success.

8. Give the student positive feedback that indicates they are successful.

9. Display rules in several places (e.g., on the student’s desk, etc.).

10. Make sure the student receives the information appropriate to perform learning activities (e.g., written information, oral instructions, reminders, etc.).

11. Teach the student directions/instructions.

12. Maintain a positive and professional relationship with the student (e.g., an adversarial relationship is likely to result in failure to follow instructions).

13. Provide the student with preferred duties.

14. Give the student optional courses of action to prevent total refusal to obey teacher instructions.

15. Intervene early and often to prevent the student’s behavior from leading to a contagion on the part of other students.

16. Get the student to question any directions, explanations, or instructions not grasped.

17. Make the student verbalize the classroom rules at designated times throughout the day (e.g., before school, during recess, at break time, at lunch, at the end of the day, etc.).

18. Provide instructions in a step-by-step sequence.

19. Select a peer to model following the rules of the classroom for the student.

20. Talk with the student regularly to ascertain if instructions are being followed.

21. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

22. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

23. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

24. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for ways to teach students to exhibit appropriate behavior on school campus? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the student to be responsible for a younger peer on the school grounds before and after school.

2. Get the student to be responsible for organizing and supervising learning activities and distributing or collecting learning materials on the school grounds before and after school.

3. Give the student a specific job to perform on the school grounds before and after school (e.g., crosswalk patrol, bus monitor; raising and lowering the flag, picking up litter on the school grounds, etc.).

4. Intervene early and often when there is a problem to prevent more severe problems from happening.

5. Teach the student to think before acting (e.g., they should ask themselves, “What is happening?” “What am I doing?” “What should I do?” “What will be best for me?”).

6. Get the student to question any school ground rules they do not understand.

7. Create rules for the school grounds: • Remain in designated areas. • Share school equipment. • Utilize appropriate language. • Utilize school property with care. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

8. Select a peer to model appropriate behavior on the school grounds before and after school for the student.

9. Connect with parents to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for demonstrating appropriate behavior on the school grounds before and after school.

10. Praise those students who demonstrate appropriate behavior on the school grounds before and after school.

11. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., playing, sharing school equipment, visiting, etc.) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

12. Praise the student for demonstrating appropriate behavior on the school grounds before and after school based on the duration of time that they can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

13. Converse with the student to explain (a) what the student is doing wrong (e.g., fighting with peers) and (b) what the student should be doing (e.g., playing appropriately, sharing school equipment with peers, visiting, etc.).

14. Praise the student for demonstrating appropriate behavior on the school grounds before and after school: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

15. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

18. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for strategies to teach students to exhibit appropriate behavior on school campus? If so, keep reading.

1. Give the student a list of school rules and/or behavior expectations to carry at all times in the school environment.

2. Separate the student from the peer(s) who stimulates their unacceptable behavior on the school grounds before and after school.

3. Select a responsible peer to escort the student when they are on the school grounds before and after school.

4. Make sure the behavioral requirements are appropriate for the student’s capacity and ability level (e.g., interacting with peers, entering the school building when appropriate, leaving the school building when appropriate, using school equipment with care, etc.).

5. Make sure the student is actively involved in their surroundings (e.g., give the student duties, learning activities, and errands to run to promote purposeful behavior).

6. Get the student to carry a point card at all times so that they can be reinforced anywhere in the school environment for conforming to rules, expectations, laws, etc.

7. Notify other school staff members of any behavior problems the student may have so supervision and assistance may be given.

8. Be firm, fair, and consistent when applying consequences for behavior (e.g., appropriate behavior receives positive consequences, while unacceptable behavior receives negative consequences).

9. Praise the student for remaining in designated areas (e.g., play areas, student lounge, leisure area, etc.).

10. Give organized learning activities for the student to participate in designated areas before, during, and after school (e.g., kickball, dodge ball, softball, four square, tether ball, jump rope, foot races, etc.).

11. Let the student enter the school building early or remain in the school building after school to work on tasks or special projects, assist teachers, assist the custodian, etc.

12. Praise the student for arriving on the school grounds shortly before school begins (e.g., 5minutes) and leaving the school grounds shortly after school.

13. Modify the student’s bus task, so the student does not arrive early and does not remain late after school.

14. Find an area of the school grounds to be used as a “time-out” area when the student shows unacceptable behavior on the school grounds.

15. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

18. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for ways to motivate students to follow school rules? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the student to list the pros and cons of an action. Get the student to consider whether the pros outweigh the cons before they take action.

2. Talk with the student about the role and benefit of rules outside the school setting (e.g., job site, social situation, leisure learning activities, etc.).

3. Praise the student for following school rules based on the duration of time the student can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

4. Praise the student for following school rules: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, passing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

5. Help the student find specific school rules they have difficulty following and make these rules into goals for behavior improvement.

6. Get the student to question any school rules they do not understand.

7. Get the student and their parents to sign a copy of the school discipline plan and consequences for failing to follow school rules.

8. Get the student to find the situations in which they are most likely to fail to consider the consequences of their behavior. After they have identified these situations, have them think of ways to minimize their occurrences.

9. Give the student many chances for social and academic success.

10. Provide maximum supervision of the student. As the student can successfully follow school rules, slowly decrease supervision.

11. Select a peer to escort the student in nonacademic settings.

12. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

13. Utilize related consequences for the student’s unacceptable behavior(e.g., running in the halls results in having to walk with an adult, throwing food in the cafeteria results in having to sit next to an adult when eating, disruption in the library requires additional adult supervision, etc.).

14. Intervene early and often to prevent the student’s behavior from leading to the contagion for other students.

15. Urge the student to realize that all behavior has negative or positive consequences. Talk about how the student behaviors that will lead to positive consequences.

16. Get the student to orally repeat the school discipline plan and consequences.

17. Make the student verbalize the school rules at designated times throughout the day (e.g., before school, during recess, at lunch, at the end of the day, etc.).

18. Provide visibility to and from the student. The teacher and the student should be able to see each other at all times. Make eye contact possible at all times.

19. Do not let the student use ADHD as an excuse. Hold the student responsible for their actions. However, accept the problems that ADHD brings into the student’s life while they are learning to make accommodations.

20. Talk with the student regularly to ascertain if school rules are being followed.

21. Make sure that the student knows the relationship between unacceptable behavior and the consequences that follow (e.g., lunch detention, suspension, after-school detention, etc.).

22. Create school rules: • Walk in halls. • Arrive for class on time. • Respect the privacy of others. • Talk quietly in the halls. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

23. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

24. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

25. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

26. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for ways to encourage students to follow school rules? If so, keep reading.

1. Be firm, fair, and consistent when applying consequences for behavior (e.g., appropriate behavior receives positive consequences while unacceptable behavior receives negative consequences).

2. Praise the student for moving from one space to another in an appropriate length of time.

3. Teach the student ways to gain self-control (e.g., count to 10, walk away, talk with someone, etc.).

4. Urge the student to play games, sports, etc., with friends who do not urge them to disregard school rules.

5. Praise the student for remaining in designated areas (e.g., student lounge, leisure area, school assembly, etc.).

6. Tell the student that it is their behavior that determines whether consequences are positive or negative.

7. Give the student a list of school rules and/or behavior expectations to carry with them at all times in the school environment.

8. Make sure that all educators who work with the student continuously enforce school rules.

9. Make sure the student knows the rules before starting a new learning experience.

10. Provide a routine (schedule) that will minimize erratic or impulsive behavior that may result in negative consequences.

11. Make sure you are regularly in proximity to the student.

12. Separate the student from the peer who stimulates their unacceptable behavior.

13. Display school rules in several places (e.g., on the student’s desk, in the hallways, etc.).

14. Explain the school discipline plan and consequences orally to the student on a one-to-one basis.

15. Get the student to carry a point card at all times so that they can be reinforced anywhere in the school environment for following the rules.

16. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

18. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

19. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for ways to teach students to follow school rules? If so, keep reading.

1. Notify other staff members of any behavior problem that the student may have so that supervision and assistance may be given.

2. Embody for the student those behaviors they are expected to display in the school environment.

3. Get the student to keep a chart representing the amount of time spent following school rules. Reinforcement should be given for increasing acceptable behavior.

4. Praise those students in the classroom who follow school rules.

5. Give the student an easily grasped list of consequences for unacceptable behavior.

6. Teach problem-solving skills: • Find the problem. • Find the goals and objectives. • Create a strategy/plan for action. • Carry out the plan. • Assess the results.

7. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to act improperly.

8. Be firm, fair, and consistent when enforcing the rules and consequences contained in the school discipline plan.

9. Get the student to review the consequences of their behavior. Get the student to consider various choices they could have made and the various outcomes.

10. Give the student optional courses of action to prevent total refusal to obey school rules (e.g., may return to the classroom).

11. Get the student to question any directions, explanations, or instructions they do not understand.

12. Praise the student for going directly from one place to another.

13. Converse with the student to explain (a) what they are doing wrong (e.g., failing to follow school rules) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., following school rules).

14. Hold the student responsible for failing to follow school rules.

15. Give the student positive feedback that indicates they are successful.

16. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

18. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

19. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for strategies to teach struggling students to wait on assistance from the teacher? If so, keep reading.

1. Give the student an easily grasped list of consequences for unacceptable behavior.

2. Increase supervision (e.g., by the teacher, a peer, etc.) of the student to let intervention happen before the student exhibits troublesome behavior.

3. Get the student to question any directions, explanations, or instructions before starting a task to reinforce comprehension.

4. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Highly competitive learning activities may cause the student to feel anxious and have difficulty waiting for assistance from the teacher.

5. Talk about the student’s behavior with them in private rather than in front of others.

6. Make sure that the learning activities in which the student engages are not too complicated for him/her.

7. Do not place an emphasis on perfection. If the student feels they must live up to your expectations and cannot, it may cause them to become impatient while waiting for assistance.

8. Closely supervise the student to monitor their behavior at all times.

9. Assess the degree of task difficulty to ascertain whether the student will require additional information, time, assistance, etc., before starting a task.

10. Display needed information in a readily accessible place (e.g., bulletin board, desktop, etc.), to decrease the student’s need for assistance from the instructor.

11. Create alternative learning activities for the student to perform when waiting for assistance from an instructor (e.g., check work already finished, look at a magazine, organize work area, begin another task, etc.).

12. Provide visibility to and from the student while they wait until assistance can be given. The instructor should be able to see the student, and the student should be able to see the instructor. Make eye contact possible at all times.

13. Provide oral communication with the student until assistance can be given (e.g., “Thank you for waiting quietly. I’ll be there shortly.”).

14. Teach the student to use techniques that limit the need for teacher assistance (e.g., refer to prior math problems for models, use reference learning materials as a source for answers, etc.).

15. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

18. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

Are you looking for strategies to encourage struggling students to wait on assistance from the teacher? If so, keep reading.

1. Connect with the student’s parents to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for waiting properly for assistance from an instructor at school.

2. Assess the appropriateness of the task to ascertain (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

3. Inform the student that you will assist them as soon as possible (e.g., “Stephen, I’ll be with you shortly.”) to increase the likelihood that the student will wait properly for assistance.

4. Select a peer from whom the student may seek assistance.

5. Try to assist immediately. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time the student must wait for assistance when the instructor is helping another student, instructing, etc.

6. Get the student to ask for clarification if they do not understand instructions that are given orally or in writing.

7. Praise the student for waiting properly for assistance from an instructor: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, passing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

8. Converse with the student to explain (a) what he/she is doing wrong (e.g., leaving their seat, talking to other students, etc.) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., waiting quietly for assistance, remaining seated, etc.).

9. Create classroom rules: • Remain on-task. • Complete assignments quietly. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

10. Praise those students in the classroom who remain seated in designated areas and remain quiet while waiting for assistance from the instructor.

11. Praise the student for waiting properly for assistance from an instructor based on the duration of time they can be successful. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

12. Select a peer to model appropriate behavior (e.g., remaining in seat or designated area, remaining quiet, etc.) when waiting for assistance from an instructor for the student.

13. Urge the student to go to the next problem, go to another part of the task, begin a new task, etc., when waiting for assistance from an instructor.

14. Give constant, positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior. Ignore as many unacceptable behaviors as possible.

15. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

16. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

18. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.