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Friday, February 26, 2010

What is Disciplining by the Numbers?




When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, this is the first of several posts on how to manage the disruptive behavior of certain students in the Judaic classroom. These particular teacher interventions have been clinically tested in Judaic and secular classrooms and schools over the past 30 years.
In this particular post we will share the four steps involved in Disciplining by the Numbers which is depicted on the graphic organizer at the top of the post.
On the next post, we will describe step one, “You Have My Attention."

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Empowering Students to Create with the Teacher Classroom Rules or Expectations






When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know about (a) the importance of transforming the traditional classroom into a Jewish community of cooperative learners and (b) specific learning activities for community building. Toward this end, we are describing different community building activities designed to prevent or reduce student disruptive classroom behavior. For further explanation of the relationship between community building and reduced student off-task behavior refer to these previous posts. A Three-Dimensional Model for Understanding Student Disruptive Behavior: Part One, The Group and Community Building Approach-http://richarddsolomonsblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/three-dimensional-model-for.html What is a Caring Community of Cooperating Learners and Why is it Important to Transform the Classroom Into a Caring Learning Community?http://richarddsolomonsblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-is-caring-community-of-cooperating.html

The teacher intervention that follows is a lesson on how to empower students to create classroom rules or expectations that the teacher and the students can honor and follow.

Note: There is an important distinction between a classroom expectation and a classroom rule. The word “expectation “has a positive connotation of living up to a higher standard, whereas the word “rule” implies a negative connotation of punishment and enforcement. Our preference is that students act upon their internalized understanding of Jewish ethical beliefs, rather than follow rules for fear of being punished by the teacher or the administrator of the school.

For additional information about the theory of expectations refer to this previous post.http://richarddsolomonsblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-how-do-mentor-and-mentee-negotiate.html

Empower Students to Create Classroom Rules/Expectations through the APCA Process

Enduring Jewish Knowledge: These middot: Kehillah-community, Areyvut-mutual responsibility, Din V’Rachamim-justice and mercy, Hiddur Pnai Zaken- respect for elders such as the teacher, Kavod-respect, and Shomer Achi-being one’s brother’s keeper

Materials Needed: The handout, APCA Four-Step Process for Consensus Building, and paper on which to write individual, paired, and classroom expectations (See the handouts on the APCA Process and form for writing expectations on the top of this post)

Background:

Teachers have many choices regarding how to establish classroom rules including:

· Use the rules of the school

· Use the rules of a seasoned or mentor teacher

· Create your own rules

· Use the rules of the previous year

We would suggest, however, that within a community of learners students should have some say in how the classroom rules are established and enforced. There are a number of methods to encourage student participation in classroom rule-setting, including:

· Invite students to brainstorm the classroom rules

· Invite the class to generate their own rules, and the consequences for breaking those rules

· Conduct a discussion on the meaning of the previous year’s classroom rules

Procedure:

1. The teacher invites students to individually record a personal list of classroom expectations (e.g. students should respect one another and the teacher; students should listen to one another and the teacher; students should not hit others; students should not use inappropriate language in or outside of the classroom, etc.) This list of personal expectations can be recorded on the handout, “What Behaviors Do You Expect from Your Classmates?,” under the heading, “Individual Expectations”. See the handout that follows.

2. Students form dyads and use the APCA (see the graphic at the top of this post) process to generate a paired set of classroom expectations, which are then recorded on the handout under the heading, “Paired Expectations”. At this point, let’s explain the APCA process; The APCA process is a method by which students can respectfully achieve consensus without feeling a sense of resentment or loss of efficacy. Here is how the APCA process works.

Assumption: Two people have their own list of individual expectations regarding how students should behave in the classroom. We will refer to them as Student #1 and Student #2.

Key: A stands for Ask a question

P stands for Paraphrase the speaker’s idea

C stands for Clarify the speaker’s idea

A stands for Add your idea, if you wish

Student #1: (Asks a question.) “Can you tell me one of your expectations regarding student behavior in our classroom?”

Student #2: “Of course, I believe that all students should respect each other and the teacher.”

Student #1: (Paraphrase the speaker’s idea.) “So you’re saying students should respect everyone in the classroom, teacher included. Is that correct?”

Student #2: “Yes, you understand.”

Student #1: (Clarify the speaker’s idea.) “What do you mean by the word ‘respect’?”

Student #2: “I mean students should listen to each other, and not put others down for their ideas. That’s what I mean!”

Student #1: (Add your idea, if you wish.) “Well, I’d like to add to your statement, and say that students should not only listen to each other, and not put others down for their ideas, but should also disagree respectfully.”

Student #2: “I could go along with that addition. So let’s write down what we have agreed to on the Paired Expectations list.” (See handout at the top of this post.)

Then the process continues with Student #2 asking a question such as: “What do you mean by disagree respectfully?”

Once students understand the APCA process, they can create a list of shared classroom expectations. That is, pairs achieve consensus with another pair, who in turn, find common ground with teams of four, then eight until the entire group agrees upon a set of shared classroom behavioral expectations. Through the APCA process of consensus building, and negotiating expectations, students can transform themselves from a class of individuals into a community of cooperative learners.

On the next post we will begin a related topic, how to control the disruptive behavior of certain students by applying a construct, Disciplining by the Numbers.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

My Jewish Star: A Community Building Activity that Can Transform the Traditional Classroom into a Jewish Community of Cooperative Learners





When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know about (a) the importance of transforming the traditional classroom into a Jewish community of cooperative learners and (b) specific learning activities for community building. Toward this end, we are sharing *My Jewish Star A Community Building Activity that can help transform the classroom into a caring Jewish learning community.

Note: Refer to the procedure explained in the post for implementing My Jewish Joys.

* Gold, S., Solomon, R. & Solomon, E. (1988). The Jewish Handbook for Group Discussion. Columbia, MD: National Institute for Relationship Training, Inc.

On the next post we will begin our discussion of how to empower students to create acceptable classroom rules or expectations that the community of learners including the teacher and the students can honor and follow.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Circles of..., A Community Building Activity that Can Transform the Traditional Classroom into a Jewish Community of Cooperative Learners


When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know about (a) the importance of transforming the traditional classroom into a Jewish community of cooperative learners and (b) specific learning activities for community building. Toward this end, we are sharing The Circles of..., A Community Building Activity that can help transform the classroom into a caring Jewish learning community.

Note: Refer to the procedure explained in the post for implementing My Jewish Joys.

On the next post we will share the fourth of four community building activities, My Jewish Star.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Circles of Jewish Virtues (Middot): A Community Building Activity that Can Transform the Traditional Classroom into a Jewish Community of Learners




When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know about (a) the importance of transforming the traditional classroom into a Jewish community of cooperative learners and (b) specific learning activities for community building. Toward this end, we are sharing Circles of Jewish Virtues (Middot): A Community Building Activity that can help transform the classroom into a caring Jewish learning community.

Note: Refer to the procedure explained in the post for implementing My Jewish Joys.

On the next post we will share the third of four community building activities, The Circles of....

Friday, February 19, 2010

Dr. Paul A. Flexner's Review of Toolbox for Teachers and Mentors: Moving Madrichim to Mentor Teachers and Beyond in Jewish Book World

Dr. Paul A. Flexner, co-author of What We Now Know About Jewish Education: Perspectives on Research and Practice, reviewed Toolbox for Teachers and Mentors: Moving Madrichim to Mentor Teachers and Beyond, for the spring 2010 issue of Jewish Book World, a quarterly of the Jewish Book Council.

To enlarge Dr. Flexner's review click onto the graphic at the top of this post.

My Jewish Joys: A Community Building Activity that Can Transform the Traditional Classroom into a Jewish Community of Cooperative Learners






In a previous blog post we defined a Jewish Community of Cooperative Learners as follows: A Jewish community of cooperative learners represents the transformation of a group of individual members into a united, interdependent, mutually supportive, and cohesive unit (i.e. classroom or school) that works, studies, and learns together because of a shared set of Jewish middot such as, Derech Eretz- showing civility and respect for others, and TzelemElohim-all people are created in HaShem’s image. The chart in the previous post summarizes the major differences between a traditional classroom or school and a Jewish community of cooperative learners. See http://richarddsolomonsblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-is-jewish-community-of-cooperative_27.html

My Jewish Joys: A Community Building Activity that Can Transform the Traditional Classroom into a Jewish Community of Cooperative Learners

Enduring Jewish Knowledge: These middot: Simcha-activities that bring joy to the Jewish people, and Kehillah-community

Materials needed: My Jewish Joys handout (see the two graphics at the top of this post) and a writing implement

Procedure:

1. The teacher indicates that in order for our class to be especially meaningful to you, we are not only going to learn about Judaism, but also discover things about each other. Thus, the purpose of today's lesson is to learn (a) something new about the members of our class, and (b) some of the things we do as Jews that bring us joy.

2. The teacher distributes the handout, My Jewish Joys, and first completes her own copy of the handout to model what students are expected to do.

Note: At the lower right corner of the handout is the Magic Box with the words "receive" and "put away" written inside the rectangle. This part of the handout requires some explanation. The Magic Box is an imaginary gift that the student finds at his doorstep. Inside the Magic Box is something that he has always wanted, but has not yet obtained. It can be physical (e.g. a toy, good health), emotional (e.g. hope, love), spiritual (e.g. inner peace, tikkun olam), or philosophical (e.g. appreciation of diversity). The student records the gift he has been given next to the word "receive." The student is also invited to record something that he would like to eliminate. That item can also be tangible (e.g. clutter in my room, homework), or intangible (e.g. feelings of insecurity, unnecessary guilt), and it is written next to the words "put away." After modeling how to complete the handout, the students complete theirs. See handouts below.

3. Ask students to stand with their completed My Jewish Joys handouts, form a circle or oval, and face another classmate. Members should have a pen or pencil with them.

4. The teacher models introducing herself to one of the members of the classroom community, and asks that student an open question such as, “Tell me more about why Moses is your favorite Jewish hero … ”

5. After the student has verbally shared his data, the listener records the speaker's name, and a summary of what he had said on the listener's handout. Students may ask a follow-up question.

6. Then the person who shared information asks you a question, and a follow-up inquiry. If needed, remind the students to record the name of their partner and a summary of what was said.

7. Give all members of the community an opportunity to interview at least three new people whom they did not know (well) prior to this class.

8. When all students have had a chance to speak to three new members, ask them to return to their seats.

9. Then, at random, select a student in class to identify someone (termed the “celebrity”) about whom she would like to gain more information.

10. Invite members of the class (now termed ‘the reporters’) who interviewed that “celebrity” to share what they had learned about him or her.

11. Inquire about two or three more classroom “celebrities”.

12. Explain to the students that this is the first of many activities designed to transform the class into a community of caring and cooperative learners where we appreciate, and respect the gifts that each member brings to the class.

On the next post we will share the second of four community building activities, Circles of Jewish Virtues (Middot).


Thursday, February 18, 2010

What is a Caring Community of Cooperating Learners and Why is it Important to Transform the Classroom Into a Caring Learning Community?


A caring community of cooperating learners (CCoCL) is a classroom and by extension, a school in which every member, i.e. student, administrator, teacher, aide, parent, custodian, etc., is dedicated to doing his/her personal best while caring for others. In particular, each member of the CCoCL is personally responsible for his/her learning, and is also concerned about the academic, social, and emotional well-being of others. The values of the CCoCL (i.e. doing one’s personal best, caring for others, taking responsibility for others, respecting self and others) are discussed, debated, agreed upon, and evidenced through the daily interactions of its constituents. A school, which becomes a CCoCL is focused on academic achievement and positive social and emotional development.

An increasing amount of evidence pointing to the importance of creating a caring community of cooperating learners is appearing in the literature. For example, the following researchers report significant correlations between students participating within caring learning communities, and these variables[1]:

· Improved academic motivation and achievement: D. Solomon, Battistich, Watson, Schaps & Lewis (2000), Battistich & Horn (1997), Shouse (1996)

· The development of pro-social and emotional competencies: D. Solomon, Battistich, Watson, Schaps & Lewis (2000)

· Ethical and altruistic behavior: Schaps, Battistich & D. Solomon, (1997), Higgins & Kohlberg (1984)

· Avoidance of behavioral problems such as violence and drug use: Resnick, et al., (1997), Gottfredson, Gottfredson & Hyhl (1993), Hawkins & Weiss (1985).

This increasing body of evidence done by researchers at the Developmental Studies Center, Oakland California (see http://www.devstu.org/page/articles-and-papers) and others suggest that a by product of creating a caring community of cooperating learners is the prevention, if not the reduction, in student disruptive classroom behavior.

On the next post we will share the first of four community building activities that can help transform a traditional classroom into a caring Jewish community of cooperating learners.


[1] This research is taken from a chapter written by Dr. Eric Schaps and his associates at the Developmental Studies Center, Oakland, CA: “Community in School as Key to Student Growth: Findings from the Child Development Project,” March, 2003.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Teacher Interventions When the Disruptive Behavior is Related to the Anti-Social Skills the Student Has Mastered:Teaching 4 Basic Conversation Skills



When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know how to teach students to replace the anti-social skills they have mastered with productive, and effective pro-social skills such as the ability to engage is a meaningful conversation with another. Accordingly, in today’s post we will share a lesson on how to teach students four basic pro-social conversation skills (* Solomon and Solomon, 1987).

1. Finding free information

2. Asking open questions

3. Paraphrasing

4. Probing

Enduring Jewish Knowledge: These conversational competencies are excellent pro-social skills to welcome the stranger: Hachnasat Orchim

Materials Needed: The Four Basic Conversational Skills Chart (at the top of this post)

Procedure:

1. The teacher poses this question: “How would you like to learn how to speak easily, and successfully to any person in our class?” The teacher then explains the objective for today’s lesson is to learn the four basic social skills needed to engage another person in a conversation.

2. The teacher poses this question: “What is the best way to start a conversation with another person?” The answer you are looking for is to find something to talk about, something in common, also called, ‘free information’. Free information is the easily accessible conversational data that begins the conversation. See the examples listed in the chart at the top of the post.

3. The teacher poses this question: “Once you have identified the free information, what do you do next?” The answer you are seeking is to ‘ask an open question’. The chart above provides a definition and examples. Note that an effective way to ask an open question is to use a “tell me” statement (i.e. tell me about ...).

4. The teacher then poses this question: “After asking the open question, what do you do next?” The answer you are looking for is to ‘paraphrase the speaker’. See the definition and examples in the chart above.

5. Finally, the last question is: “Once you paraphrase the speaker, what do you do next?” The answer to the question you are seeking is to ‘probe the speaker’. See the chart at the top of the post for a definition and examples.


*Solomon, R. & Solomon, E. (1987). The Handbook for the Fourth R: Relationship Skills. Columbia, MD. National Institute for Relationship Training, Inc.

On the next post we will begin our discussion of some suggested teacher interventions to reduce disruptive student behavior by transforming the classroom into a caring community of cooperative learners.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Teacher Interventions When the Disruptive Behavior is Related to the Anti-Social Skills the Student Has Developed:Respectful Listening, Part Two


When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know how to teach students to replace the anti-social skills they have mastered with productive, and effective pro-social skills such as the ability to respectfully listen to others.

This is the second part of a two-part lesson on teaching students to listen respectfully to each other. To read the first part of this lesson click on to this url: http://richarddsolomonsblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/teacher-interventions-when-disruptive_11.html

Teach Students to Respectfully Listen to Each Other (*Solomon & Solomon, 1987)

Enduring Jewish Knowledge: These middot: Derech Eretz-showing civility and respect for others, and Tzelem Elohim-all people are created in HaShem’s image.

Materials Needed: Demonstration of Disrespectful Listening Recording Form (displayed at the top of this post), a writing implement, a person is needed to demonstrate respectful and disrespectful listening with you. This person can be a madrich, teaching assistant, or another teacher.

Note: Respectful Listening involves two skills, paraphrasing and probing. The listener must paraphrase the speaker, and then ask probing, non-judgmental questions (see the dialogue below).

1. The teacher engages in a conversation with another person, (called the speaker), in which the teacher demonstrates disrespectful listening to the class, while the students record what they see and hear the teacher doing during the conversation. A sample conversation demonstrating disrespectful listening between a teacher and the speaker appears next. It is followed by the disrespectful listening recording form.

Teacher: What is your opinion about someone choosing to make aliyah?

Speaker: That’s stupid! Why would anyone want to do that? It’s a dangerous country; it has a different language; friends and family are here; why would anyone want to move away from the United States?

Teacher: You’re the one who’s stupid. You’re too simple minded to understand that people move to Israel because they have a great love for the land. (As the teacher is saying this, he raises his voice, moves closer to the other person, and points his finger at her.)

Speaker: I’m not stupid; you’re stupid because if someone disagrees with you, you call him stupid. Now you know what I call that, really STUPID!

2. The teacher facilitates a classroom discussion on the differences (visual and auditory) between respectful and disrespectful listening.

3. The teacher places students in dyads, and invites them to role-play or practice respectful listening on a topic that they choose or one the teacher chooses. If desirable, the class can brainstorm topics for the demonstration. Note that students do not practice disrespectful listening.

4. The teacher monitors the dyads practicing respectful listening, and gives them feedback on their role-playing. Dyads who have mastered this social skill can demonstrate respectful listening to the entire class.

5. The teacher explains that respectful listening is a Jewish middah, or virtue; we are expected to show respect for our classmates, and others.

*Solomon, R. & Solomon, E. (1987). The Handbook for the Fourth R: Relationship Skills. Columbia, MD. National Institute for Relationship Training, Inc .

On the next post we will describe four basic conversational pro-social skills students in a Judaic classroom need to master in order to get along with others.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Teacher Interventions When the Disruptive Behavior is Related to the Anti-Social Skills the Student Has Developed:Respectful Listening, Part One



When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know how to teach students to replace the anti-social skills they have mastered with productive, and effective pro-social skills such as the ability to respectfully listen to others.

This is the first part of a two-part lesson on teaching students to listen respectfully to each other. You can find the second part of this lesson by clicking on to this url:http://richarddsolomonsblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/teacher-interventions-when-disruptive_16.html

Teach Students to Respectfully Listen to Each Other (*Solomon & Solomon, 1987)


Enduring Jewish Knowledge: These middot: Derech Eretz-showing civility and respect for others, and Tzelem Elohim-all people are created in HaShem’s image.

Materials Needed: Demonstration of Respectful Listening and Disrespectful Listening Recording Form (displayed at the top of this post), a writing implement, a person is needed to demonstrate respectful and disrespectful listening with you. This person can be a madrich, teaching assistant, or another teacher.

Note: Respectful Listening involves two skills, paraphrasing and probing. The listener must paraphrase the speaker, and then ask probing, non-judgmental questions (see the dialogue below).

Procedure:

1. The teacher facilitates a classroom conversation on the importance of respectful listening as a Jewish virtue.

2. The teacher engages in a conversation with another person (called the speaker) in which the teacher demonstrates respectful listening to the class, while the students record what they see and hear the teacher doing during the conversation. A sample conversation demonstrating respectful listening between a teacher and the speaker follows. Below is the respectful listening recording form.

Teacher: What is your opinion about someone choosing to make aliyah?

Speaker: That’s stupid! Why would anyone want to do that? Israel is a dangerous country; it has a different language to learn; friends and family are here; why would anyone want to move away from the United States? That's dumb!

Teacher: So let me see if I understand what you’re saying. You believe it’s foolish to make aliyah because Israel is so different from the US - a new language, new people, and a whole new culture. Is that right?

Speaker: Yes, that’s right.

Teacher: Well, given all those reasons, why do you think some people make aliyah any way?

Speaker: Perhaps they want to support Israel?

Teacher: I think you're making a good point, but I’d like to respectfully disagree with you, and say that I don’t think making aliyah is a stupid idea, it’s just different from what you believe. I think it’s wonderful that some people have such a love for Israel that they are willing to give up their comfortable life in the United States to move to Eretz Yisrael.

Speaker: Okay, I see your point of view.


*Solomon, R. & Solomon, E. (1987). The Handbook for the Fourth R: Relationship Skills. Columbia, MD. National Institute for Relationship Training, Inc .

On the next post we will complete the second part of this two-part lesson on teaching students to respectfully listen to teach other.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Teacher Interventions When the Disruptive Behavior is Related to the Anti-Social Skills that the Student Has Developed: Teaching Students to Listen


When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know how to teach students to replace the anti-social skills they have mastered with productive, and effective pro-social skills such as the ability to listen to others.

The Magic Listening Ball Lesson: A Teacher Intervention Designed to Empower Students to Listen to Others (*Solomon & Solomon, 1987)

Enduring Jewish Knowledge: These middot: Shmiat HaOzen-being a good listener, Binat HaLev-having an understanding heart

Materials Needed: Nerf ball, koosh ball, or small bean bag

Procedure:
1. Introduce the ball as a special one that teaches students how to become better listeners.
2. The teacher records these four words on the chalkboard: Topic, Story, Question, Answer.
3. Ask the students to put their pens or pencils down while you tell them a short story. Your story will include: a topic, the story, pose a question, and then you will choose someone in class to answer your question by tossing that student the “Magic Listening Ball.” Remind students that they may not take notes on what you are about to say.
4.Model what you want the students to do.
A. Say, “This is my topic” (e.g. “My favorite Jewish holiday is ...” Note: You can select any topic such as favorite Jewish food, experience, middah, story in the Tanach, etc.)
B. Say, “This is my story” (e.g. You tell a story about your topic. My favorite Jewish holiday is Pesach because …)
C. Say, “This is my question” (e.g. What is your favorite Jewish holiday?)
D. Say, “What is your answer?”
5. Tell students that you are about to toss the Magic Listening Ball to one student in the class, and invite that student to: (1) State your topic; (2) Tell a summary of your story; (3) Restate your question, and (4) Give an answer to your question. Note: If the student cannot perform all four tasks, the other students can offer assistance. Obviously, you can modify this activity to meet the cognitive abilities of your students. Thus, this activity can be changed into a two-step procedure. (1)This is my story, and (2) this is my question.
6. Invite students to form dyads, and replicate the procedure in pairs with each student given a chance to state a topic, tell a story, pose a question, and ask for an answer. Each student can use a “Magic Listening Pencil” or other object to hand to his/her partner when practicing this listening exercise.
7. The teacher monitors, and gives feedback to each dyad practicing this listening exercise.

*Solomon, R. & Solomon, E. (1987). The Handbook for the Fourth R: Relationship Skills. Columbia, MD. National Institute for Relationship Training, Inc .

On the next post we will describe how to teach students another important pro-social skill, respectful listening.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Preparatory Procedures Before Implementing the SUDS Program: A Teacher Intervention to Empower Students to Control Their Negative Feelings and Actions




When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know how to empower students to control their negative feelings so that those feelings do not disrupt classroom instruction. SUDS (Subjective Units of Distress System)* is one of several teacher interventions designed to empower students to achieve self-control over their negative thoughts, and counter-productive behaviors that disrupt classroom instruction.

Preparatory Procedures Before Implementing the SUDS Program

Before the SUDS program is actually implemented, the teacher may want the student to complete “My SUDS Level Chart” to demonstrate that he or she understands his or her level of anxiety. A sample chart appears at the top of this post.

In addition, before implementing of the SUDS program, the student should be expected to create his or her own SUDS Action Plan that describes the actions he or she intends to take when he or she experiences different levels of anxiety. See My School SUDS Action Plan example at the top of the post as well.

After the student has given sufficient evidence that he or she understands how to monitor his or her levels of distress, and has developed an action plan to control his or her anxiety in a reasonable period of time (e.g. five minutes or less), the SUDS program is implemented, and then evaluated over time.

[1] This activity was generated from the Self-Management Task Force sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education, Pupil Services Branch, 1985-1986.

On the next post we will begin sharing some teacher interventions that can be applied when a student’s disruptive behavior is related to the anti-social skills the student uses in class.

Jewish Education News Blog

Richard D. Solomon's Blog on Mentoring Jewish Students and Teachers

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