Strategy: Teaching Behavior Expectations
Given that behaviors that are acceptable and productive at home or in the community may not always translate to the school setting, teaching behavior expectations is an important component of sensitivity to students’ culture. An expectation is a globally stated standard of conduct that is composed of positive characteristics that lead to success. In other words, we clearly and succinctly explain to students the behaviors that we desire as opposed to telling students what not to do. It is important to teach students specific behaviors that represent these broader important expectations. Examples include “Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Kind, Be Safe, and Excel.” Think of behavior expectations as guidelines for success.
Students enter school with many different experiences. Therefore, it is important not to assume students will understand what being respectful (or other socially important constructs) look like in the context of the classroom without being taught, much like we teach students to read and write.
How To
Strategy Tool
Reflection
Goal Setting
References to Other Relevant Resources:
Sprick, R. (2009). CHAMPS: A proactive and positive approach to classroom management. Eugene, OR: Pacific Northwest Publishing.
Reinke, W., Herman, K., & Sprick, R. (2011). Motivational interviewing for effective classroom management: The classroom check-up. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.