A schoolwide PBIS initiative can impact school climate in multiple ways, including improving academic achievement, reducing discipline referrals, and increasing attendance. The foundation of PBIS in any school is its schoolwide PBIS matrix, which helps the school community establish a common language and identify universal goals for behavior. The schoolwide matrix applies to all community members and is often used as the primary measurement for behavior within the classroom.
Many educators, however, take the schoolwide matrix a step further. They use the schoolwide PBIS matrix to develop a classroom behavior matrix for the unique atmosphere of their specific classroom.
What is a Classroom Behavior Matrix?
Like a schoolwide PBIS matrix, the classroom behavior matrix is a simple table that defines concise and positive expectations in various settings. It can also be used to explain classroom routines and configurations. Examples of settings and configurations where classroom expectations apply include:
- Center time
- Independent practice
- Formal evaluations
- Small group discussions
- Technology use
Depending on what is outlined in the schoolwide matrix, teachers can further define desired behaviors in specific circumstances, including walking in the hallway, taking a restroom break, or recess.
How to Develop a Classroom Behavior Matrix
A classroom matrix is unique to the confines of the classroom and your students’ time there. Remember, however, that it should reflect the behaviors outlined in the schoolwide matrix. How do you develop a classroom matrix?
Use the schoolwide behavior matrix as a guide
In order to create an effective classroom matrix, look to the schoolwide matrix. Take the core principles outlined there and apply them to your classroom environment. This is an opportunity to drill down into specific behaviors for specific situations. Referring to the school-wide matrix reinforces consistency and common language.
Get student input
A successful classroom matrix relies on buy-in from your students. Ask them to envision specific behaviors for each of the core principles within the classroom. This input will help to generate buy-in from everyone involved in your classroom community.
Teach and model behaviors
When it comes to outlining specific behaviors in the classroom, it’s often helpful to teach through roleplay and modeling. Illustrate what each behavior looks like in action instead of simply telling students what you expect. Reteach expectations as needed.
Post your matrix prominently in the classroom
A large matrix posted in a prominent place can help to remind students of the behaviors they should demonstrate. If your classroom includes learning stations, you can also post portions of your matrix specific to those areas in each location.
Share with parents/guardians
To extend behavioral learning beyond the classroom, involve your students’ parents or guardians. Provide them with a copy of your classroom matrix and encourage them to talk often with their student about these behaviors.
Adapting Your Classroom Behavior Matrix
Some teachers choose to take their classroom matrix a step further and outline expectations for those times when students are away from the classroom. During periods of remote or hybrid learning, students can continue to demonstrate positive behaviors. This can include technology-specific actions such as having webcams on and microphones muted, as well as being considerate with both spoken and written comments during online class time.
Behavior matrices can also extend into the home, allowing your students’ parents or guardians to take a more active role in developing positive behaviors. For periods of extended remote learning, you can adapt your classroom matrix to include actions and expectations that the adults in the home can use to ensure smooth transitions. These expectations can be especially useful when parents are working from home while their children are also learning remotely.
Using PBIS Rewards in the Classroom and Schoolwide
Consistency in recognizing positive behaviors enables these behaviors to become an integral part of school culture. A digital token economy can make it easy to award, track, and redeem points schoolwide.
PBIS Rewards helps schools to establish schoolwide values, identify what those values look like in action, and easily reward students for positive behaviors. In the classroom, teachers can use the schoolwide behavior matrix as a guide for defining classroom-specific behaviors. They can also create their own teacher store, independent of the school store, to offer incentives unique to their classroom community.
To get an in-depth look at PBIS Rewards in action, request a demo. The demo illustrates how schools can customize the system to reflect their schoolwide values and create a points system to encourage positive behavior. Recognize students and award points anytime, anywhere!
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