PBIS

The other morning during our weekly professional development time, we were introduced to PBIS, or positive behavioral interventions and supports.  This is a proactive, systematic process for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors in order to create a positive school environment in which teaching and learning can occur.  Fairfield Middle School is currently in their 2^nd year of implementing this program.  Our elementary schools are in the process of implementing this program.  As Mrs. Strickler and I were driving back to Libertyville after professional development, we started talking about what approaches we could take in our classrooms to head towards this implementation.  We both felt that it ties perfectly into the 7 Habits of Happy Kids.  Mrs. Strickler stated, “I think I’m going to have all my kids start on red and move their way to green.”  As I comprehended what she said, I thought, I bet I could get this to work with my cube system.  So I said, “Maybe I will try the approach of having my students earn their cubes and reinforcing positive behavior, instead of taking cubes and drawing attention to negative behaviors.”  So when we got to school, in our classrooms we told our students we were turning our behavior system upside down!  I have seen great changes in the attitudes of my students and myself as their teacher.  My classroom associates are on board with the new system as well.  It is going to be a lengthy process to get used to and to have the students adjust, but in the end, my students will become more positive and it will make me a better teacher, because I have to be on top of looking for the positive behaviors.  It will be a journey, but in the end it will be worth it for everyone in my classroom, children and adults.  For more information you can go to this website to read up more about PBIS.  http://www.pbis.org.  For more information about the 7 habits mentioned, you can go to this website. http://www.seancovey.com.

Classroom Funny!

Today in our math boxes we had the question:  Tomorrow I will get dressed for the day.  (Circle one).  Certain, Likely, Unlikely or Impossible.  Grace says laughing, "It's definitely not impossible!"  Sophie giggling says, "And I don't think it's unlikely!"  It made me giggle and they knew that it was "certain" they were going to dressed tomorrow.