SESI’s Behavior Tip of the Month: Maximizing Structure

Maximizing Structure for Positive Classroom Outcomes

Maximizing structure helps make the most of each school day and proactively sets the stage for student success. The ideal environment allows students and staff to efficiently and effectively meet their expectations. Here are five components for creating a structured environment conducive to positive outcomes.

Structure in the Classroom

Three types of structure to maximize in the classroom and school include:

• Physical Structure: Organizing classroom furniture, seating arrangements, materials, and staff locations.
• Décor: Reflecting academic and behavioral expectations through visual reminders and schedules.
• Embedded Structure: Daily routines and procedures that guide classroom and school activities.

Setting Up Schedules

Comprehensive schedules support student success. Three key types include:

• Whole School Schedule: Coordinating communal times, promoting event awareness, and sharing resources effectively.
• Classroom Schedule: Outlining routines to enhance transitions, academic engagement, and independence.
• Individual Schedules: Helping students manage their time and movements throughout the day.

Consistent, multi-dimensional schedules promote independence for students and accountability for staff.

Establishing Student Expectations

Support student competence by defining behavioral expectations across key domains:

• Social Skills: Interaction expectations with peers and staff.
• Academic Engagement: Interaction expectations with materials and lessons.
• Environmental Interactions: Navigating and interacting with school spaces effectively.

Clearly defined and frequently reinforced expectations are the foundation of student success.

Teaching Student Expectations

Operationally defined expectations paired with reinforcement can improve behavior and engagement:

• Reinforcing Appropriate Behaviors: Use behavior-specific praise or tangible rewards to encourage repetition.
• Modeling Appropriate Behaviors: Staff actions and words should align with expectations for students.
• Engaging in Aligned Activities: Use projects and activities to reinforce and teach expectations creatively.

Explicit teaching, paired with consistent reinforcement and dynamic materials, helps students thrive.

Generalizing Expectations

The ultimate goal is for students to apply learned behaviors in broader contexts, including home and community settings. Strategies include:

• Contrived Situations: Creating scenarios where students practice expected behaviors.
• Scenario Reviews: Discussing behavioral expectations during social skill lessons or reading activities.
• Community Involvement: Practicing appropriate behaviors in real-world settings with staff support.

Encouraging students to generalize behaviors helps them become productive community members with a high quality of life.

Stay tuned for next month’s Behavior Tip!