Decreasing Challenging Student Behaviors and Increasing Academic Engagement

Decreasing Challenging Student Behaviors and Increasing Academic Engagement

• Presented by: Staci M. Zolkoski, PhD, University of Texas at Tyler

Overview of Presentation

• Goal: Understanding challenging behaviors to support students academically.

• Focus Areas:

  • Reasons for challenging behaviors.

  • Development of effective support plans.

  • Classroom strategies for student support.

Understanding Student Behaviors

• Behavior as Communication: Behavior often indicates underlying needs or issues.

• Figuring Out Student Needs: Understanding the ‘why’ behind behavior helps in providing appropriate support.

Key Topics in Engaging Students

Cognitive and Emotional Skills

• Flexible Thinking: Ability to adjust to changes.

• Working Memory: Retaining key information.

• Emotional Control: Managing emotional responses.

• Self-Monitoring: Awareness of one's own behavior.

• Impulse Control: Ability to think before acting.

• Organization: Keeping track of tasks and materials.

• Task Initiation: Starting tasks promptly.

• Planning and Prioritizing: Setting and meeting goals.

Adolescent Brain Development

• High-Risk Behavior in Teens: Prone to risk-taking due to developmental stages.

  • Brain Regions:

    • Parietal Lobe: Develops into early adulthood, responsible for touch, sight, language.

    • Ventral Striatum: Reward center, underdeveloped in teens.

    • Prefrontal Cortex: Involved in reasoning and planning, completes development around 25.

    • Amygdala: Manages emotions and impulses, more active in teens.

    • Hippocampus: Memory hub, grows during adolescence.

Factors Influencing Behavior

• Circle of Control:

  • Out of Control: Home life, culture, peer influence, genetics.

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:

  • Basic Needs: Physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-actualization.

  • Impact of Unmet Needs: Affects emotional and social development.

Impact of Trauma on Behavior

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):

  • Categories include household challenges, abuse, neglect.

  • High ACEs correlate with increased risks for various health and social issues.

• Brain Development Affected by Trauma:

  • Amygdala: Overactivity causing anxiety.

  • Hippocampus: Shrinks, impacting memory.

  • Prefrontal Cortex: Shrinks affecting decision making.

Classroom Strategies for Support

Building Positive Learning Environments

• Importance of Student Connections: Fostering relationships increases engagement.

• Creating Structure: Helps students feel secure and understand expectations.

• Use of Positive Reinforcement:

  • Implement a token economy to motivate and reinforce desired behaviors.

  • Balance incentives with behavioral expectations.

Choices and Opportunities for Engagement

• Providing Choices:

  • Increases student engagement by allowing them control over their work.

  • Examples include choosing tasks, locations, and materials.

• Opportunities to Respond: Engage students through response cards, whiteboards, and interactive activities.

• Pre-Correction Techniques: Remind students of appropriate behavior before expected transitions.

Effectiveness of Consequences

• Evaluating Consequences:

  • Assess if consequences effectively reduce negative behaviors.

  • Avoid assuming negative intent; ask for clarification and understand context.

Conclusion

• Reflective Practice: Continuously ask questions about classroom effectiveness and student engagement.

  • Building positive environments and maintaining clear expectations is critical.