Supporting adaptive classroom behaviour in students who are new - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Supporting adaptive classroom behaviour in students who are new refugees

Alison McInnes, Ph.D. Department of Educational Psychology Faculty of Education, University of Alberta

October 19, 2016 Creating Welcoming Communities Webinar Series

However, in the face of certain barriers and challenges, they can show maladaptive behaviour that affects social success and success in the classroom

• A. McInnes, Ph.D., U. of Alberta

Observed behaviours – all behaviour is communicating something

non-compliance

conflict with peers

• A. McInnes, Ph.D., U. of Alberta

disengagement & withdrawal

task refusal

Barriers to social and academic success

• language and cultural differences
• understanding the communication going on

in the classroom

• instructional language (“teacher talk”)
• talking and socializing with peers
• the “hidden curriculum”
• Implicit knowledge about “what to do and how to do it to

be successful in the classroom”

• e.g., how to please the teacher
• A. McInnes, Ph.D., U. of Alberta

Barriers to classroom success

• Some common classroom management

strategies may be counter-productive

– proximity – “the look” – specific consequences

may be perceived as threatening

• r confusing

what does the teacher want ????

child may not understand the cause-effect relationship or logic of typical consequences used in the classroom (e.g., losing privileges)

• A. McInnes, Ph.D., U. of Alberta

How you interpret what is underlying the behaviour determines how you will deal with it in the classroom

• A. McInnes, Ph.D., U. of Alberta

School & Classroom Culture

Mutual respect Shared responsibilities Everyone belongs Collaborative learning

• reducing competition

Peer supports Opportunities for choices – e.g., “right to pass” in a class discussion

• A. McInnes, Ph.D., U. of Alberta

Inclusive Practices & Positive Behaviour Supports

Predictable routines Lots of visuals Frequent praise

• concrete rewards
• parent communication

Differentiated instruction

• activities matched to skills
• provide choices

Teacher monitoring

• stress (anxiety, uncertainty)
• energy & arousal
• amount and quality of peer

interaction

• A. McInnes, Ph.D., U. of Alberta

A few principles to keep in mind when planning instruction

• Use frequent modeling of expectations (e.g.,

exemplars)

• Along with routines, actively teach social scripts

– starting a conversation, inviting someone to be a partner

• Use explicit teaching supported by visuals
• Anticipate challenges and provide supportive

scaffolding and cues

• Look for miscommunication & skill deficits before

imposing consequences

– What does the student have to know and be able to do to be successful in this situation?

• A. McInnes, Ph.D., U. of Alberta