Self-Monitoring:

 

We had mixed success. I think that self monitoring is a good thing but I think that with Lukas, we ran the risk of increasing anxiety because too much of what we were doing was rule based.  HOWEVER, I have known the method mentioned below to work well with other children.  It is one of those things that we should have tweaked to his individual needs more.  We do self monitoring a little with him now with school work and how well he works at school.  For Lukas though, he is very aware if something is good/bad but sometimes, he doesn’t care! He doesn’t care if he is being obnoxious because it is more fun to be obnoxious than sit with a peer who is unresponsive.  For Lukas , it was more about what was more reinforcing than monitoring.  Also, the whole social story thing never seemed to really work for us.  He knew and it didn’t need to be presented in a social story.  Below is the self-monitoring and social stories we did. Like I said, he already knew all this stuff so we didn’t see great changes and in fact, saw that he somewhat resented having to constantly talk about his behavior.

Others though, claim great success with it.

 

 

July 13, 2001

 

Self Monitoring:   the tutors and I do this constantly with him unless he is in the middle of peer play- then we do not interrupt peer play for this.  We tell him to “rate” himself. We keep our hands behind our backs and in Rocks Paper Scissor style, he and the tutor hold a number out.  If he rates himself HIGHER than the tutor, he is NOT reinforced and he has to try and justify it.  If he rates himself the same as the tutor, he is reinforced for it (even if his rating is LOW- the point is that he recognizes it)  This is the starting steps to hopefully getting him to independently self monitor.

 

 

 

 

___________________

Appropriate Behavior Stories

 

1st Grade – Playing & Working
Appropriate Behavior Stories

1st Grade Stories for Playing and Working

 

 

 

1.      Grade 1 means self-control, be responsible, and not distracted.

 

2.      Grade 1 means focused  (not distracted) - 2 pages

 

3.      I can have a self-monitor system for self-control (3 pages)

 

4.      Lukas’s 5-Step Program - How do I gain Self-Control ? (2-pages, includes 1- 5 Self-control scale)

 

5.      Quiet Voice - I Can Speak Gently Even When I’m Excited (!)

 

6.      Quiet Voice - Equation For Success: Relax +  Speak In A Soft Tone = People will Listen

 

7.      Quiet Voice - When I Speak Gently, I Have Great Conversations

 

8.      I’m Independent & Responsible  (Checklist)

 

9.      I’m at school.  I’m no fool, I’m cool!!  What do I need to do? (Checklist)

 

10.Problems & Solutions - If I am BOSSY I will have No Friends

 

11.Problems & Solutions  - Getting Stuck on a subject is Rude and boring

 

12.Problems & Solutions  - Squirming in class annoys others.

13.No “hand-to-face” stuff at Circle Time

 

14.Faux Pas or Focused (6 pgs)

 

15.Checklist to fill in: “Three things I am really good at in School…two things I need to be better at”

 

16.Wow … I am doing a great job at school !!

 

 

17.“Strike a Balance”  with Snakes and other Things (4 pgs)


 

Lukas’ s Summer Job

Grade 1 means self-control,  be responsible, and not distracted.

 

Wow-I am almost 7 years old.  I really want to be ready for  GRADE 1 in one more month (August).

 

Most of the time, I am focused on the job I am doing.   I really like that because of what I do and how I feel.

 

 

 I do:                                                           

I feel:                     .                                        

 

-        I am focused. I like that feeling of  getting things done.

 

-        I do a great job.  I feel proud of myself.

 

- I finish quickly.I feel great. Now I can do

something else I like to do.

 

-        I am acting more responsible .I feel really grown

up. My than a kindergartener parents are proud of me.

 

-        I show an example of  beingI feel happy because 

a Good Leader to my sister and people want to be around my brother and my friends me more.

 

-        When I self-monitor,  I can give I feel VERY proud of   MYSELF an 4 or 5  being responsible even when adults are not around.

 

I can show that I am ready for Grade 1 even BEFORE August


Lukas’s Summer Job

 

 

Grade 1 means focused  (not distracted).

 

 

1)   When I want to do something I am really focused

 

 

(like making a book )

 

I concentrate on ALL the tasks that need to get done. Even if it takes a long time and there are a lot of different things to do, I stay focused so I can get the WHOLE job

done well.

 

 

(get my paper, turn computer on,  get my Encarta CD, ask for help in spelling, print, staple the book together, turn off computer.. )

 

 

2)   When OTHERS want ME to do something, I need to behave the same way.

 

 

 

 

NO

YES

a)   An adult asks me to do something.

 

a) An adult asks me to do something.

b) I start doing it, but then get distracted and do something else. 

I forget about my original task.

 

b) I go do it quickly and correctly.

c) I get frustrated when the adult tells me to get back to the task.

c) I go back to the adult to let them know the job is done.

 

Irresponsible, no self-control,

no self-discipline.  No one is happy.

Responsible, self-control,

self-discipline.  Everyone is happy!

 


 

When I am focused:

When I am distracted:

 

-         I understand clearly what I need to do.  (If I don’t understand then I need to ask the adult for more information)

 

 

- I feel confused about what I really should be doing.  I forget what I am supposed to do and start doing something else.

 

- Things get done quickly.

 

- Things seem to take a long time to get done because I am doing other stuff in-between (distracted).

 

- Adults are proud of me because I focus on doing my best job.

 

- Adults feel disappointed with me because the task is not done quickly or completely.  

 

- I am proud of myself for being responsible and self-disciplined. 

 

- Then I get frustrated too.  Now I rush to get the task done and don’t do my best job.

Oh YES!

 

- Now I am ready to do the next activity.  Or I have time to do something on my own (fun activity).

Oh NO!

 

- I may have to do the task over again.  Or now there isn’t any more time to do what I would like to do (fun activity).

 

 

 

Grade 1 students should be responsible, self-disciplined, and show self-control in the many different situations they are in.  

 

Teachers and other adults expect Grade 1’s to try their best to behave appropriately at all times, without always being reminded bout what to do.   

 

Grade 1 -- that’s me!!!

 


Being Responsible – Self-Monitor Scale 1-5

 

 

5

Awesome DUDE !!   I did what I was suppose to do without distractions.  I did it without being reminded and I did it in a timely manner!

 

 

4

Wow. Good job.   I got distracted for only a second or so but in a blink of an eye, I got back on track and finished my work.

 

 

3

Okay I guess.   I got distracted for a little bit (a minute or so) but I got back on track and controlled myself.  That is still okay.

 

 

2

I got distracted and the adult had to clear their throat a bit and get my attention before I got back to my task

 

1

Someone had to ask me if I was distracted and remind me to task.  Oops.    Strike one

 

0

I needed lots of  help getting back to work.  I did not have any self control.  I was distracted.  Strike 2

 

I can have a Self-monitor system for Self-control (scale of 1-5)

 

“Self- monitor” means that I look at my own behavior to see if I am acting appropriately or not and how quickly I can gain self-control.

 

Ø I know if my behavior is appropriate behavior or if it is not. 

 

Ø Maybe I can fool other people by hiding things or not telling the truth, but I am not fooling myself.

- “Yes, I did a really good job brushing my teeth”

- “No I didn’t take that colored pencil.”

 

Ø Self-monitor means that I always tell myself the truth

-        “Did I do my best right now?” 

-        “Did I really do what I was asked to do, and do it properly?”

 

and

 

I evaluate the job I did  -- how did I do?

- “What kind of job did I do (scale of 1- 5)?”

 

 

“Self- control” means that I can stop, relax and solve the problem without an adult telling me to “relax”. 

 

Ø It’s easy to have self-control when everything is going great. 

 

Ø It is hard to have self-control when things are not going well, or if someone else makes me feel angry.

 

Ø Babies can’t control their behavior (they have fussy tantrums).  When I lose control of my behavior (being rude, yelling, or crying) I am being like a 3 or 4 year old.  I am not acting like a first grader.

 

Ø But I’m going to be 7 years old!  The older I get, the more I can CONTROL my behavior.  I can gain self-control.

 

Ø even if I’m frustrated when someone else doesn’t act appropriately (doesn’t share, cheats, doesn’t want to play my activity when it is my turn), I can still control MYSELF and act even older than my real age.

 

 

 


It’s really hard to control my behavior, especially when I’m MAD. 

 

But I know I can do it if I STOP, RELAX, think DOUBLE-or-NOTHING, and CHOOSE to gain self-control like a 7year old (or even older). 

 

Ø                              So even if adults are not around to see what I do,

I can tell myself  “Boy did I ever gain control quickly this time. That’s a 5 on the scale!”

 

Ø                              How old do I really want to be …. ? (remember older kids can go to concerts and stay up late!)

 

 

Ø Hey… if I lose control, I may even lose my friends.   No one wants to be around a fussy out-of-control person.  I know I certainly don’t want to be around someone acting like that.

 

I am a big kid.  I need self-control.

I am responsible for my own behavior.

I am proud of myself when I gain self-control.
Lukas’s 5-step Program

How do I gain Self-Control ?

 

1)                I have a problem.

 

-  usually because someone else doesn’t act like I want them to.  (they don’t wanna play my game, they don’t want to wait their turn, they want my toy)

 

2)                I feel frustrated.

 

-       STOP!!   I am still responsible for my own behavior. 

-       Right now I have a CHOICE.  If I make the wrong decision, then it is MY behavior that will be inappropriate.


3)  
Relax.

 

-       to gain self-control, I first need to relax

(Breathe and Relax my body)

 

4)           Gain Self-control.

 

-  gain control of myself and my actions.

-  think about what a leader would do in this situation.

 

5)      Solve the Problem 

 

- act on the solution you choose to solve the problem.
How Does the 1-5 Self-Control Scale Work?

5

Immediate self-control.  Fantastic!

 

4

Fuss for less than 5 econd, then gain self-control.  I can think things but I don’t say them.

 

3

I fuss and yell at the person before I stopped to think and Relax and solve the problem.

2

An adult had to tell me to stop and Relax before I could gain control and solve the problem.

1

I lost control and refused to solve the problem even when an adult asked me to after I calmed down.

0

I lost all control and an adult had to take me away

 


I CAN SPEAK GENTLY

EVEN WHEN I’M EXCITED (!)

 

 

Sometimes I'm very excited when I talk to someone and I say things too loud. 

I forget to use my gentle voice.

 

That is not a good thing.  Nobody wants to have a loudmouth screaming in their ear !

 

I know I would rather talk to someone who speaks gently than someone who yells.

I like to speak with people who use a gentle voice.

 

I always speak in a gentle tone so people will want to listen to me.

 


Equation for Success:

 

RELAX

+    SPEAK IN A SOFT TONE

=    PEOPLE WILL LISTEN

 

The most pleasant sound in the world is someone's gentle, quiet, relaxed voice. 

 

When I yell or talk really loudly when I’m right in front of someone, it makes them feel uncomfortable.  It can even hurt their ears, too!

 

Talking loud makes people want to get away from me.   They don’t like to listen to a really loud voice.

 

It’s okay to talk loudly when I’m far away and I need to get their attention.  But… when I’m talking beside someone, I try really hard to speak in a soft, gentle tone so people will listen to me.  

 

Not only do people like me better when I use my best voice, but I feel more relaxed too. 

 

Relax my body… relax my voice… people will listen.

 

WHEN I SPEAK GENTLY, I HAVE GREAT CONVERSATIONS

 

I love to talk to other people and other people like to hear me talk.

 

I don't have to yell for other people to be interested in what I have to say.

 

As a matter of fact, if I talk in a gentle tone and don't shout, people will care more about what I have to say.

 

I must always use my gentle voice in conversations.

 

When I use my gentle voice and speak quietly, people listen to what I say.

 

Hey… I like that !!

 

 


I’m Independent & Responsible

 

First thing – every day

1)     wake up

2)     go to the bathroom

3)     do my chore chart.

 

 Next thing – school/camp Days

4)     eat breakfast/medicine

5)     put dishes in the dishwasher

6)     pack backpack (books, supplies, allowance)

7)     brush teeth

 

Last thing

8)     Get Dressed

9)     Say Good Bye

 


I’m at school.  I’m no fool, I’m cool!!

What do I need to do?

 

1)            BE POLITE – if ANY adult asks a question, I STOP what I am doing and answer the questions. I say Yes Ma’am and No Ma’am and Yes Sir and No Sir.

 

2)            ASK FRIENDS TO PLAY – I pick a friend & pick an activity.  Have new ideas.  Talk (  .  !   ?  )

 

3)            RELAX – no fusses about ANYTHING (if I have a problem, I tell the teacher my problem.)

 

4)            THE GOLDEN RULE – “do to others as you want them to do to you”.

 

5)            BE POLITE NOT BOSSY – ask the SAME thing as a question, then it sounds polite.  Don’t tell others what to do.  Don’t tell others anything it is the teacher’s job to say.


Problems & Solutions – Appropriate Behavior

If I am BOSSY I will have No Friends

 

I know that being “BOSSY” is not appropriate behavior.  

No friend wants to play with someone who is bossy.

But… what exactly is being bossy?

 

1)     Being bossy is when I tell my friends what to do instead of ASKING them what they would like to do.

 

“You go over there and do that”

instead of

 “Do you want to go over there and do that?”

 

2)     Being bossy is when I tell the other kids things that is the Teacher’s job to tell the kids.  I feel that I am just reminding them, but that is NOT my job.  That’s the teacher’s job.

 

“Ok everyone, sit and draw a butterfly.”

instead of

 “Should we all draw butterflies now?”

 

3)     Being bossy is when I want to hog all the turns when I am playing with my friends.

“I want to be use the mouse”

instead of

                “Can I use the mouse again?”

 

 

The BEST WAY to make sure that I am NOT being bossy is to

ASK A QUESTION instead of making a statement. 

 

STOP                                                       !

THINK                                                    .

Say it again in a QUESTION          ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Problems & Solutions – Appropriate Behavio

Getting Stuck is Rude Behavior

 

Getting stuck on the same topic is rude behavior.Others do not want to be around someone who talks about the same thing over and over again. It makes others think you are boring It makes them feel annoyed  or uncomfortable.

 

What is the difference between being interested in something and  being stuckon something.

 

Getting stuck is

 

Ø   telling someone something that you care about and not caring if they are interested or not interested.

 

“I like snakes. I touched a snake .  I saw aa kind cobra. It was cool. I also saw a garter snake.    (being stuck)

 

“I like snakes. I saw a kind of Cobra at the zoo. Do you like snakes?   (statement/question=  good)

 

Ø   telling someone that they like something just because you do

 

Lukas’s friend: I don’t like snakes.

Lukas:  Yes you do!                 (being stuck)

 

Lukas’s friend:  I don’t like snakes

Lukas:  Oh. I like them.  What do you like?     (Comment/question)

 

Sometimes getting stuck is talking about something too long even if the other person was at one point interested.   People can lose interest if you go on too long.

Lukas: Know what I did?

Lukas’s Friend: what?

Lukas: I went to the zoo and saw a really cool snake.

Lukas’s friend: What kind?

Lukas: I saw a cobra snake.  I also saw a garter snake. I touched one at the Pet Smart in Anderson. I also touched one at zoo camp.  My mom saw a snake at the botanical gardens. She yelled. I look up snakes on the computer. My aunt Bridgette bought me a rubber snake. It is big.   (going on too long)

 

THINK and ASK yourself:

 

1)      If I talk about this, how will it make the other person feel? 

Will they get bored?

 

2)      How would I feel if someone talked for a long time about something I didn’t care about?


Problems & Solutions – Appropriate Behavior

No Shouting out Answers at School

 

When I am in a group, the adult in charge usually asks the group questions:

q       Mrs X          – at school  

q       MRs X        – in the Library

q       Mrs X          – at camp

q       Mrs.            – at choir

q       Sunday school teacher – at Church

_____________________________________________________

 

1)             Sometimes the adult in charge is asking the WHOLE GROUP to answer the question:  “What letter is this?”

 

2)             But, sometimes the adult in charge is asking a SPECIFIC PERSON to answer the question.  How do I know that?

 

q       USE NAME - they say the name of the person “Cole, what key are we in?”

 

q       POINT (Gesture) – sometimes if they are talking fast, they just point at the person they want to answer the question.

 

q       TURNS IN ORDER - they go around the group in order, so I can see that my turn will be after the person beside me.

 

q       RAISE HANDS - they tell the group to RAISE their hand if they know the answer.  Then kids are called on one by one.  Maybe I don’t even get a turn.  There’s no time to give everyone a turn ALL the time.

 

PROBLEM:

 

If I just shout out the answers when it is not my turn, then I am stealing other people’s turns.  That is inappropriate behavior.

I do this a LOT, so I know that it is a PROBLEM for me right now. 

 

SOLVING THE PROBLEM:

 

I am a big boy.  I try to solve problems. 

For this one, I need to STOP, THINK, and ASK myself this question:

 

“Does she want the GROUP to answer this question out loud OR should I RAISE MY HAND and wait for her to call me?”

 

q       Right now I need some help to solve the problem, so I learn to do what I am supposed to do.  (1-2-3-strike out) 

 

q       Getting “1-2-3” is still a lot of chances to remember what to do.         I need to watch carefully to see what the adult in charge wants me to do.

 

q       I don’t like strike out, BUT if I get one, then I act like a responsible boy.  I don’t want to fuss in front of my friends at school.  I will go quietly for my time-out. 

 

q       Then when it is over, I can go back and try harder next time.

 

It might take a little while to get it right most of the time.

I am a big boy, but I will try hard to get it right.


WHO SHOULD ANSWER – THE GROUP or JUST ME?

 

1)    When X says “Who knows the answer” or she says “Who knows what comes next?”.  Who should answer the question?

 

____ only a specific person                or             ____ the whole group

 

 

2) When singing songs, it is usually a class activity, so who should sing?

 

____ only a specific person     or             ____ the whole group

 

 

3) When the teacher puts out her hand to the group, with her palm up, who can answer the question?

 

____ only a specific person     or             ____ the whole group

 

 

4) Quiz -- When everyone in the group says the answer:

 

-            Everyone should talk at the same speed.                         __ yes      __ no

 

-            You should talk faster than the whole group

  is talking.                                                               __ yes      __ no

 

 

-            You can decide not to answer with the group.                __ yes      __ no

 

-            You should talk with the same rhythm or

chant as the whole group.                                       __ yes      __ no

 

-            If you are not sure if the group should answer,

you should just raise your hand anyway and ask.     __ yes     __ no


Problems & Solutions – Appropriate Behavior

No “Hand-to-Face” stuff at Circle Time

 

Problem:

 

q       Picking my nose is not appropriate behavior.

q       Touching my lips and rubbing my face is not appropriate behavior.

 

Solution:

 

q       At Circle Time        -- my hands go in my lap (“Check 5”).

q       If my lips feel dry   -- I use my lip stuff in my pocket.

q       If I my nose itches   -- I go get my tissues.

 

But…I still have the same problem:

 

q       I am still doing the behavior. 

q       I need to think harder.  Remember what I AM supposed to do.

 

Solution:

 

q       Someone will have to help me solve the problem, so I do what I am supposed to do (1-2-3-strike out). 

 

q       Getting “1-2-3” is still a lot of chances to remember what to do.

 

I don’t like striking out, BUT if I get one, then I act like a responsible boy.  I don’t want to fuss in front of my friends at school.  I will time myself out and think about what I did.

 

q       Then when it is over, I can go back and try harder next time.

 

I am almost 7 years old.   I am a big boy.

I need to remember to do appropriate behavior, even if adults aren’t around to remind me.    I can do it!!!


 

FAUX PAS   or   FOCUSED ?

 

 

 

Baby-à Pre-school --àkindergarten  ---àMe (1st grade) ---à teenager --à _adult_________old age

 

 

I am almost seven years old. 

Now that I am in 1st Grade, I need to behave more like an Big Kid and less like a baby.

 

Most of the time, Big Kids are focused.  

That means that they try to do their best all the time.

Big Kids are responsible. They need to get a lot of things done properly. 

 

Now I need to get focused on all the things that I do. 

If I am not focused, then I can’t do things my very best.  Also, I can’t learn how to do new things properly, because I am not paying attention.

 

I know that being focused is a very important

I am proud of myself when I do my very best.
When am I FOCUSED?

 

q       _____________________________________

 

 

q       _____________________________________

 

 

q       _____________________________________

 

 

 

 

I am FOCUSED when I can:

 

-       listen carefully

-       follow instructions

-       behave appropriately with my actions

-       be polite with my words

-       be patient when I have to wait

 


When am I doing FAUX PAS?

 

q       goofing off in class             

(not paying attention, take someone’s question)

 

 

q       giggling or laughing when the teacher or adult is talking        (not listening, being rude)

 

 

q       say or do inappropriate things just to get attention from kids/adults         (being rude)

 

q       _____________________________________

 

q       _____________________________________

 

 

I am doing FAUX PAS when I am:

 

-       being rude

-       not following instructions

 

-       getting distracted

-       not listening carefully or the first time

-       not paying attention

-       acting silly or strange (ask yourself … if I saw someone else doing this, what would I think – focused or faux pas?)

 


 

THREE THINGS that I am REALLY GOOD AT

in Class:

 

 

1)        _______________________________________________________________

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

2)         _______________________________________________________________

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

3)        _______________________________________________________________

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

TWO  THING that I would like to GET BETTER AT

in class:

 

 

1)      _______________________________________________________________

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

2)     _______________________________________________________________

 

 

_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Name: ________________________________________________________        Date: _______________________


WOW … I AM DOING

A GREAT JOB AT SCHOOL !!

 

I really LOVE school.   I’m really having fun.

I do a lot of different things at school:

q        

q        

q        

q        

q        

q        

 

When we do group activities, I really try to do my very best.  I have learned a lot of appropriate behavior and I do it in class at school.

 

-        sit properly

-        look at people when they talk to me

-        listen when the teacher is talking

-        raise my hand to ask a question, so I don’t interrupt

-        don’t get distracted

-        cooperate with other kids

-        stand straight in line and keep near the person in front of me.

-        RELAX

 

I am so proud of myself.  Everyone else is proud of me too!  WOW… I really am a BIG boy.


 

 

I NEED TO LISTEN TO ADULTS

THE FIRST TIME

 

-       adults are in charge

 

-       sometimes more than one adult is in charge at the same time.   That means they are a team

 

-       when an adult in charge asks me to do something, then I have to listen

 

-       I have to listen the FIRST time

 

-       No arguing, No fussing, No talking back

 

 

If I can’t listen to the adult in charge the first time they ask me do do something, then I will get 1-2-3.

 

That’s it!  I need to listen the first time, and do what I am told to do.


 APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR IN MY CLASSROOM

 

 

I am a first grader. I am a big responsible boy. 

I have learned a lot of appropriate behaviors. 

I also know that I have to do them at school. 

 

The ones that I must do ALL THE TIME at school are:

 

1)          Listen the first time when an adult tells me

to do something.

 

2)          No arguing with adults.

 

 

If I cannot comply with these TWO RULES of appropriate behavior in my 1st grade class,

then I will get 1-2-3 and your out. 

 


 

“Strike a Balance”

  with Snakes & Other things

 

I really like Snakes.  The good thing about that is when I get to be an adult, I can pick a job where I can be around snakes a lot. 

 

The problem is that when I am a child, not everyone is as interested in snakes as I am.  

 

So what should I do?

 

1)   I need to “strike a balance” between snakes and other things.  This means that I can still play with snakes and talk about snakes, but not all the time. 

 

2)   “Strike a balance” means that one time can I pick snakes to talk about or to play with.  Then the next time I need to pick something else to talk about or play with.

 

If I only talk about snakes and play with snakes,  then other kids will just think I am boring.  I want to have lots of friends, so I know that I can “strike a balance”.


I can “Strike a Balance” in the pool

 
               What can I do at the pool when what I really want to do is Atlantis?

 

 

Other fun play:

 

-         Ask a friend if they can dive under water

-         Ask a friend if they want to play with the splat ball

-         Ask a friend what games they like to play

-         Pretend to be a sea animal

-         Pretend to be an Olympic swimmer

-         Have a contest on who can hold their breath the longest.

-         Have a contest to see who can get the toy off the bottom of the pool first

 

Atlantis play:

 

-         ask a friend if they saw the movie

 

-         share my diving subs

 

-         ask a friend if they have seen a sub

 

-         ask a friend if they want to pretend to be searching for the lost city of atlantis.

-          

 

 

I can STRIKE a BALANCE