For my project, I am focusing on PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) integration in my classroom. Last year, I was a member of my school's PBIS team, and we looked for ways to introduce behavioral lessons into the classroom, and for ways to gather and effectively use data.
The first part of my project will involve Class Dojo. It is a tool that I can use to log student behaviors easily. I currently keep the tap open in my browser throughout the day, but they also have a handy app that I use on my iPad and phone. With this tool, I can log observed student behaviors, both positive and negative, and easily communicate with students and parents. Students get their own portal where they can personalize a little "monster" avatar, and I can easily send weekly behavior reports to parents. I hope that this will keep everyone on the same page and encourage students to make positive behavior choices.
For the second part, I will be using PB Works to make a student wiki as part of a unit on the novel Stargirl. The novel deals with bullying, cliques, and social exclusion in schools, and is a great opportunity to get students discussing how those issues play out in our own school. As we read, they will compare and contrast the school from the novel to our own school, and will then discuss what we can do as staff and students to improve how everyone treats each other.
Finally, I will work with the other teachers in my grade level to discourage negative behaviors. We created a reflection sheet that students will fill out when they are given a lunch detention. The detentions are then logged into one central spreadsheet, as well as a total of how many detentions were given for each behavior. The goal is to cut down on total detentions throughout the year, and specifically to highlight currently problematic behaviors so that we as a staff can discuss the best way to prevent those behaviors.
I feel the advantages I will gain from this project come in the form of less time spent on remediation of negative behavior, and possibly even less time spent on redirection. By clearly identifying which behaviors are to be praised and which are to be avoided through Class Dojo, getting students involved in the process of identifying how to improve through the wiki, and encouraging reflection after negative choices, I can increase the class time spent on instruction. The increase in instructional time, paired with a more positive environment in the classroom, will end with more successful students.
