Changing the Way (and the Reason) You Document Behavior

    SEL and Behavior, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies

    From my first teaching job almost 30 years ago to the present, I’ve seen it all when it comes to discipline incident reporting. I've had lengthy paper forms in triplicate, slick mobile apps, and everything in between - with many of these changes in documentation driven by ever-increasing state requirements.

    For teachers who are managing challenging behavior in the classroom, writing up a detailed discipline referral sometimes feels like a time-consuming chore with no guarantee of meaningful follow-up or consequences. But what if we intentionally set up behavior documentation not just to meet requirements or as a “gotcha” for misbehaving students, but as a powerful tool for change?

    10 Behavior Intervention Strategies for Young Students

    SEL and Behavior, MTSS Practice, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies

    Ah, the sweet sounds of “back to school.” If you work with preschool or elementary students, though, those sounds might include a screaming kindergartener who refuses to enter the classroom, the yelp of a teacher as a youngster surprises her with a swift kick, or the walkie notification that a student has escaped the building and is on top of the playground equipment. Tiny people can cause big disruptions!

    Executive Function in the Classroom Starts with Adults

    SEL and Behavior, MTSS Practice, Leadership in MTSS

    Success in school and in life is not about being the smartest in the room; it’s about how well you can manage yourself and navigate the challenges you face every day.  Executive functioning—the ability to manage tasks, time, and emotions—plays a crucial role in students’ growth and learning. But what is the best way to help students develop these skills? One key lies in enhancing our own executive functioning skills, creating an environment in which we intentionally practice and model these soft skills in our daily interactions with students and colleagues. 

    3 Reality Checks for Tier 3 Behavior Intervention

    SEL and Behavior, Instituting MTSS, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies

     “I’ve never seen anything like it!” 

    Early Warning Systems and MTSS: The Essential Components

    Equity, SEL and Behavior, MTSS for Secondary

    According to data from the American Enterprise Institute and EdWeek Research Center, school districts across the country are reporting sharp and consistent increases in chronic absenteeism and behavior problems, both of which are negatively impacting academic achievement. While many districts believe these problems are a result of the pandemic, the fact remains these are serious problems that require real-time interventions to get students back on track.

    Watch the On-Demand Recording 

    Successful Tier 3 Behavior Intervention Planning for Any District

    SEL and Behavior, MTSS Practice, Tier 3

    Addressing Tier 3 behavior can be challenging, but utilizing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) can make successful intervention planning both possible and practical in any size district.

    Watch the On-Demand Recording 

    3 Lesson Plans to Build Resilience & Help High School Students Succeed in School and Beyond

    SEL and Behavior, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies, MTSS for Secondary

    A critical part of education is helping students build the life skills and resiliency they need to complete high school and successfully transition to adult life. Branching Minds partners with The Jed Foundation (JED) to bring practical resources to high school classrooms that are informed by direct research with high school students about what they need as they graduate. These areas include:

    Tips & Tools for Resetting Behavior After a Break

    SEL and Behavior, Reflective Teaching

    It’s never too late to assess and make changes to the behavior structure and support you offer to your students. Natural breaks in the school year offer an opportunity to reset your approach to behavior and get your classroom or campus back on track. So, let’s talk about how to use the re-entry after a break to move things in the right direction!

    Supporting High School Students’ Mental Health and Well-being with The Jed Foundation

    SEL and Behavior, Interventions and Learning Supports' Strategies, MTSS for Secondary

    Branching Minds is excited to partner with The Jed Foundation (JED) to bring essential resources to high school classrooms through the Branching Minds Support Library. Informed by direct research with high school students about what they need as they graduate, these new support cards offer concrete tips, tools, and resources on a comprehensive range of topics geared toward helping students manage the transition out of high school. Carefully curated and evidence-based, these resources provide teachers and students with accessible and actionable advice to aid in this critical — and often difficult — transition. 

    The Power of Strength-Based Instruction

    SEL and Behavior, Tier 1 - Core Instruction

    We all have strengths and weaknesses, but in K-12 education, student weaknesses are often a focus of attention, while strengths fade into the background. Over the past decade, there has been a movement in education to capitalize on student strengths while using instructional practices that promote growth in areas that might need improvement.