PBIS
The schools you will be working in all use a behavior monitoring system called PBIS. It will be beneficial for you to know about PBIS so you are able use it with your students, and so you are more familiar with the expectations for the students at your site.
What is PBIS?
PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and it includes teaching students how we want them to act, not just expecting that they already know the expectations. (i.e. We must teach them how to walk quietly in the halls.)
An example of PBIS is using a form of extrinsic motivation, such as a Token Economy, to positively reinforce good behaviors the students display.
Voice Volume is often a part of PBIS systems
0= completely silent, used when a teacher or staff member is giving directions or when students are travelling in the hallways
1= whisper voice, used when working one-on-one with students, or when students are working in pairs
2= conversational voice, used sometimes at dinner time when there are less restrictions on the students
3= outside voice, used only on the playground
5= emergency voice, used only to get someones attention in an emergency
The voice volume number range may vary depending on your site, so make sure to ask a staff member about the system at your site. Voice volume is often communicated by holding up the corresponding number on your hands for all of the students to see. Generally, the students should also hold the number up to alert fellow students to the expectation.
It will be important to state the expectations for the students upfront before they start an activity (use the word expectation, they will understand this language). To do this, use some sort of signal, call and response, or clapping pattern to get everyone's attention. Wait until every student is paying attention before you give instructions. If need be, show the students that you are waiting for it to be silent before you can start the activity. You may want to ask your site directors/workers if there are any specific consequences for not following the expectations so you are able to be consistent when dealing with issues that arise. Remember, consistency is key.
Here is an example of PBIS being used well in a classroom. Please watch this short video to get an idea about how PBIS is used.
Journal Response #2
Pick 2 of the 3 scenarios below and explain what you would do to redirect the student's behavior:
- It is dinner time at your site. There is a student running around and yelling throughout the cafeteria. All of the staff members are busy working with other students. What would you do?
- It is time to transition to a classroom to work on homework. One student in the group you are working with refuses to go to the classroom and wants to stay back in the cafeteria. What would you do?
- During homework time, there is a student who does not want to work on his/her homework. He/she is walking around the classroom disrupting the learning of other students. What would you do?
Journal Response #3
Please explain what you would do if two students started wrestling out on the playground during recess.
Do not put your journal responses in the comments section below. Please use the Google document that we shared with you on Google Drive to respond.
Interested in the importance of PBIS in schools? Follow this link: http://www.pbis.org/school/exemplar-from-the-field/mcnabb-elementary-ky
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