Lesson+7+Post


 * Lesson #7 (8/2/2011)**


 * What are the components of a quality behavior management contract?**

It must clearly state what the behavior is that needs to change in a positive manner. It must have the reward for achieving the behavior and any consequences as well as a time frame for achieving the behavior change. The student should be a part of making the contract to make sure students are motivated to change their behavior. Parents can be included but it is not mandatory, although in my opinion for younger children the parents probably should be included. There should be a place for signatures too.


 * When is it appropriate to implement a behavior contract?**

When a student is having recurrent behavior difficulties and regular classroom management strategies have not been successful.


 * Describe a student’s behavior problem. Design a behavior contract, specific for the needs of that child in your class.**
 * Implement the contract consistently.**

I had a student last term that would not do his homework. He would participate in class, but he wouldn’t do classwork. He was very capable, but not doing his homework affected his grade. At the end of the term, he had an F in the class, but on the final exam he got a B- so I changed his grade to a D. Reflecting back, I think a behavior contract might have worked for him. I could imagine that for every 5 days of homework completed, I would give him a homework pass. For classwork, I like the idea of for 4 days of classwork, he could receive 15 minutes of time to play with the rubrik’s cube, but I would have to see what would motivate him.


 * After one week, describe any and all changes in the student’s behavior.**

I would have to assume thatWellingtonwould attempt to adhere to our contract. It may be a slow start where he did homework at least a couple of time per week, but that would be better than no homework. I think not only would the homework pass make him be willing to try to do his homework, but once he saw how well he could do on quizzes because of doing his homework that would be another motivator.


 * To what extent was the behavior contract an effective tool in changing the student’s behavior? If it wasn’t effective, how could you improve or change the contract to make it more effective?**

If the behavior contract didn’t modify his behavior, then I would meet again with my student and modify the contract to make it more effective by perhaps trying a new reward. Instead of a homework pass, maybe I would propose helping deliver passes in the office for the last ½ of class. I know thatWellingtonreally liked to listen to music, so maybe I could offer an Itunes credit for 1 download.


 * In what ways is this technique useful for special needs students?**

I think that it is useful for special needs students because the behavior contract would focus on 1 or 2 specific behaviors for students to work on and hopefully be successful with. I think that reminding any students, as the readings suggest, by referring to the contract on his/her desk would also help the special needs students get into a routine.