Lesson Plan to Address Behavior

Step 1: Identify the desired behavior and describe if in observable, measurable terms.

Respectful behavior: Students will use appropriate language around peers and adults.

They will use kind words solve conflicts. Students will keep hands and feet to

themselves. Students will listen to instructions given by adults the first time.

Step 2: List a rationale for teaching the behavior (Why is it important?)

It is important to be respectful to your peers and adults in school. Using words or

actions to harass, tease or bully another student is inappropriate and can hurt others.

Negative interactions in school interfere with learning and can cause problems at

school and in the community.

Step 3: Identify examples and non-examples of the desired behavior (What would the

behavior look/sound like? What would the behavior not look/sound like?)

Examples Non-examples

• Apologizing

• Offering to help

• Appropriate language

• Asking an adult to help when a

conflict can’t be resolved

• Hands and feet to self (stay in your

own physical space)

• Unkind words (cursing)

• Teasing

• Put downs

• Pushing/shoving

• Yelling

• Getting into a person’s physical space

• Littering

Step 4: Practice/Role Play Activities

Model expected behavior (I do): Teacher(s) model or read following scenarios. The

teacher discusses why second scenario is an example of respectful behavior.)

Tina bumped into Kristin in the hallway and her books fell to the ground. Kristin was

upset because she would be late for class and called Tina a “crazy fool”. Tina got

angry and told Kristin she was ugly and stupid. Tina walked away and Kristin was late

for class. Kristin was mad and began to spread untrue rumors about Tina to her

friends.

Tina bumped into Kristin in the hallway and her books fell to the ground. Kristin was

upset because she would be late for class and started to call Tina names. Tina

recognized that she was not paying attention, apologized to Kristin and helped her

pick up her books. Tina’s teacher gave both students a “school buck” for resolving

the conflict with respect.

Lead students through behavior (We do): Teacher(s) present following scenario.

Adapted from: Langland, S., Lewis-Palmer, T., & Sugai, G. (1998)

T/TAC William & Mary workshop

Students will discuss why second scenario is an example of respectful behavior.

Several students were sitting together at a table eating lunch in the cafeteria. Denyse

spilled milk on Kim’s new dress. Kim called Denyse a “clumsy ox” and took her milk

and poured it into Denyse’s food. Both girls began to scream at each other with

tears in her eyes. The cafeteria monitor witnessed this and escorted the girls to the

principal’s office.

Several students were sitting together eating lunch in the cafeteria. Denyse spilled

milk on Kim’s new dress. Denyse apologized and got a wet paper towel from the

cafeteria monitor and helped Kim clean her dress. Kim thanked Denyse for helping

her. The cafeteria monitor witnessed this event and gave both girls “school bucks”

for resolving a potential conflict respectfully.

Test to ensure students understand behavior (You do): With a peer, students are asked

to come up with their own scenario. Student groups will act out appropriate, respectful

behavior for their scenario. Teacher and other students will provide feedback to peer

groups.

Step 5: Provide opportunities for practice

• Weekly scenarios

• Publicly recognizing students who display respectful behavior

• Teacher regularly models respectful behavior

Adapted from: Langland, S., Lewis-Palmer, T., & Sugai, G. (1998)

T/TAC William & Mary workshop