Prevention Strategies

Focus on stopping the behavior before it gets started

A key aspect of prevention is to reward positive behavior. For example:

• Communicate positive expectations.
• Praise good performance/behavior in specific terms.
• Recognize appropriate student behavior through:

          -praise
          -privilege/rewards, and
          -other recognition.

• Connect student praise to specific accomplishments.

Mystery Ticket

Deb Cousino of Petersburg, Mich., discreetly gives a ticket to one or more students at the beginning of the day. That student(s) is then challenged to make the other students' day by demonstrating acts of kindness. At the end of the day, the class guesses the identity of the ticket holder(s). It's a fun activity that builds positive relationships, she notes.