Suggestions and Tips for Using the Programs

Thanks to the continued positive reviews from administrators and teachers, we’ve compiled tips and suggestions for using Advantage Press Behavior Learning Programs.

Prevention
“We’ve found that some Detention Learning Packets work well for prevention as well. We encourage our teachers (especially the newer ones) to have the class read the packet on “Disrespectful Behavior” the day before a planned substitute will be in the room. Usually, the regular teacher tells students to read the packet and then leads a discussion about respect using the packet questions as a guide.”

Goal Setting
“Many of the response packets students complete after reading the text have a goal setting section to complete. It’s usually the last question students answer. As Dean of Students, I make sure the student gets a copy of his answers on this last page and then I follow-up with the student a couple of weeks later to check on goal progress. I also make copies of goal statements for the referring teacher, the homeroom teacher and the parents. This way significant adults can reinforce goals as they are accomplished or can hold the student accountable if no progress is being made.”

Signatures
“When I send a student home with a suspension packet, I require a parent/guardian sign it before the student returns to school. After reviewing the student’s answers I may call that parent to discuss a couple of the responses made on the form. I’ve found this works wonders for preventing the next problem.”

New Case Studies
“When I have to give a detention or suspension to an academically-able student, I often require he write his own case study on the back of one of the pages. This not only turns the packet into a creative writing exercise, but also seems to help these students internalize the behavior issue.”

Learning From Mistakes
“I’ve assigned the Learning From Mistakes Packet to all of my students for homework at the beginning of the semester. I’ve found that most of my high school students “have a thing” about hating to be wrong. Some of our class discussions would end up with students going way out on a limb with some of their positions only to realize later how silly they were. This packet helps to ground them in reality. They learn we all make mistakes, and even better, that we can learn from them.”

Handling Repeat Offenders
“Each discipline packet comes with two sets of questions or “response forms.” But if a student is late to class more than twice I find myself out of material. It didn’t take me long, however, to realize that I can then use some of the general packets that come with each program to supplement any of the specific packets. Lessons such as “taking suggestions,” “uncooperative attitude,” and “decisions and consequences” provide an excellent way to keep a repeat offender engaged in looking at his or her own behavior and learning from mistakes, even if the same mistakes are being made.”

Bullying
“I teach at a Middle School. We have had a lot of problems with name calling and other types of bullying. I started using the Name Calling Packet with all of my students after a particular incident. By having all the kids read this packet and answer the questions for homework, we had an excellent discussion the following day about “growing up.” It worked so well that I now assign this packet for homework to all of my classes every year.”

Sub Packets
“As a principal, I require all teachers to have a couple of packets printed up and ready to use in their sub packets. Students know what the packets are, understand the work required when they are assigned, and just seeing them sitting on the desk seems to help reinforce their good behavior.”

Progressive Discipline
“The discipline learning packets give me the documentation I need to show that we’ve done our part in trying to correct a behavioral problem. Since the student writes his own answers to the questions posed in the packets, it’s easy for parents, the superintendent and school board members to see that we have made some serious attempts to get the student to make improvements. Completed packets make it clear that it is the student who isn’t following though. When an expulsion is in order, the completed packets provide compelling evidence that the school made every effort to work with the student and that it is the student who has failed to do his part.”

Equal Treatment
“Before we started using the discipline packets, it was challenging to treat all students committing the same offense exactly the same. This was especially true with three of us administering discipline in the building. With the Discipline and Motivation Programs from the Advantage Press, students work packets that match their wrongdoing, it’s a logical consequence. We were quickly able to have consistency across the board with our school discipline procedures. Our administrative database tracks the packets students are given, so no matter which administrator hands out the punishment, we know what packets the student has previously worked. We also found this program solved one of the hardest parts of disciplining: coming up with a fair but meaningful punishment.”

Cooperation
“We do a lot of group work in my class. One of the real challenges is to get all of the students in each group to participate without being overwhelmed by some of the “more aggressive” or “more popular” kids. I’ve used the Value of Cooperation Packet from your Motivation Program as a start-off exercise before we even divide into groups. Students read the packet for homework and then we discuss the answers the next day. This really helps to set the tone for the work that follows.”

Positive Thinking
“I love the Positive Thinking Packet in the Motivation Program. Some kids obviously don’t need it, they think they can do no wrong at this level (High School), but many others are showing they have serious self-doubts about who and what they are. By using this packet and having all the students read it and answer the questions, I’ve found that some of the more shy students begin to speak out a little, and seem to feel good about it. This is especially important in my social studies class where I try to elicit lots of participation.”

Other Ideas?
If your school has come up with some interesting new uses for the Behavior Modification and Physical Education Programs from Advantage Press please let us know!