PBIS
PBIS is a school-wide system for behavior management. It stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Teachers and schools who subscribe to the PBIS philosophy rely on expectations and positive reinforcement to manage students' behavior. The term expectations is used, rather than rules, because it focuses on how students should act, rather than what they should not do. Instead of focusing on punishing offenders, it relies on rewarding those who do meet the expectations.
In our school, we teach behavior expectations for different areas at the beginning of the school year and have several refresher "boot camp" days when needed. We take students to the actual area, such as the lunch room, on a bus, or in the restrooms, and talk about what they should do in that area. For example, at lunch they should stay seated, pick up trash, and talk in quiet voices. Once a quarter, we have a PBIS celebration in which students for students who are meeting expectations.
Grade-level teams and individual teachers set the criteria for attending celebrations. This way, each classroom can focus on the problem behaviors that are plaguing their particular class. It's a very individualized approach to behavior! In our class, the February expectation is Taking responsibility. Students who take responsibility for their learning and their environment will be invited to attend the celebration at the end of the quarter (mid-March). The exact celebration will be announced at a later date.
If you want to research the PBIS philosophy more in depth, PBIS.org and Illinois PBIS Network are great resources.
PS - A letter detailing our February expectation goal will come home next Monday (Jan. 30).
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