ABSTRACT

Developed in conjunction with teachers, The Secondary Behaviour Cookbook provides highly effective, practical strategies for responding to and resolving behavioural issues in secondary schools.

Consisting of over fifty ‘recipes’, the book’s unique format enables teachers and practitioners to quickly and easily access information and advice on dealing with specific behaviours. Each ‘recipe’ details strategies and interventions for immediate application in the classroom setting, considers possible causes of the given behaviour, and offers helpful approaches for responding to young people’s needs in the longer term. From disorganization and lateness, to attention-seeking and destructive behaviours, bullying, anxiety and depression, the book’s sections cover a broad spectrum of behaviours falling within six broad categories:

  • Getting Things Done: supporting positive student engagement and achievement
  • Dealing with Disruption: increasing motivation and skills to facilitate learning
  • Social Interactions: resolving problematic situations that occur between pupils.
  • Coping with Conflict: addressing conflict in and out of the classroom, including aspects of bullying and discrimination
  • Emotional Distress: understanding distress and developing coping strategies
  • Behaviours of Special Concern: recognising behaviours associated with autism, trauma, abuse or poor mental wellbeing.

Underpinned by positive psychology, and emphasising the importance of constructive relationships, communication, inclusion, wellbeing and resilience, this is an indispensable resource for secondary school teachers and educators, behaviour support consultants, SENDCOs and educational psychologists.

chapter |2 pages

Introduction

chapter |10 pages

The oven

The emotional climate of the classroom

chapter |13 pages

Ingredients

chapter |2 pages

Content

section 1|27 pages

getting things done

chapter |2 pages

The problem: lateness to school/lessons

The recipe: being punctual

chapter |2 pages

The problem: inattention

The recipe: listening to and following instructions

chapter |2 pages

The problem: avoidance strategies

The recipe: confidence to focus on directed tasks

chapter |2 pages

The problem: disorganization

The recipe: having the right things for a task and getting down to it

chapter |2 pages

The problem: helplessness

The recipe: increasing independence

chapter |2 pages

The problem: procrastination

The recipe: focusing on set task to completion

chapter |2 pages

The problem: distracted by others

The recipe: focus on set task

chapter |2 pages

The problem: starting but not finishing set work

The recipe: finishing assignments

chapter |2 pages

The problem: disengagement

The recipe: building confidence

chapter |2 pages

The problem: perfectionism

The recipe: realistic work expectations

chapter |2 pages

The problem: refusal to do differentiated work

The recipe: willing to work at an appropriate level

section 2|27 pages

dealing with disruption

chapter |2 pages

The problem: a noisy classroom

The recipe: a productive buzz

chapter |2 pages

The problem: off-task conversations

The recipe: focus on task in hand

chapter |2 pages

The problem: pushing and poking others

The recipe: safe use of hands and feet

chapter |2 pages

The problem: fidgeting, humming and other noises

The recipe: self-awareness and self-control

chapter |2 pages

The problem: attention-seeking silliness

The recipe: attention gained by positive behaviours

chapter |2 pages

The problem: frequent interruptions

The recipe: waiting in turn

chapter |2 pages

The problem: over-the-top behaviour

The recipe: measured responses

chapter |2 pages

The problem: uniform infringements

The recipe: wearing appropriate school clothing

chapter |2 pages

The problem: inappropriate personal care

The recipe: personal grooming at appropriate times/places

chapter |2 pages

The problem: using technology for personal use in class

The recipe: technology used appropriately

chapter |2 pages

The problem: disruption to learning caused by erratic attendance

The recipe: motivation to attend school

section 3|22 pages

social interactions

chapter |2 pages

The problem: dominant behaviour

The recipe: sharing time, space and opportunities

chapter |2 pages

The problem: stealing

The recipe: being trustworthy

chapter |2 pages

The problem: lying and blaming others

The recipe: accepting personal responsibility

chapter |2 pages

The problem: cheating

The recipe: self-reliance

chapter |2 pages

The problem: trying to buy friendship

The recipe: positive approaches to friendship

chapter |2 pages

The problem: everyone is against me

The recipe: acknowledging the positive

chapter |2 pages

The problem: personal hygiene

The recipe: established cleanliness routines

chapter |2 pages

The problem: keeping up an image

The recipe: being authentic

chapter |3 pages

The problem: groups who challenge

The recipe: respectful collaboration

section 4|23 pages

coping with conflict

chapter |3 pages

The problem: verbal rudeness to staff

The recipe: respectful interactions

chapter |2 pages

The problem: non-verbal disrespect

The recipe: appropriate engagement

chapter |2 pages

The problem: ignoring requests/walking away

The recipe: appropriate listening

chapter |3 pages

The problem: fighting

The recipe: alternatives to violence

chapter |3 pages

The problem: bullying and intimidation

The recipe: a safe and supportive learning environment

chapter |2 pages

The problem: bringing weapons to school

The recipe: understanding the dangers

chapter |2 pages

The problem: cyber-bullying

The recipe: positive and safe use of social media

chapter |2 pages

The problem: derogatory name-calling

The recipe: valuing difference and diversity

section 5|26 pages

emotional distress

chapter |3 pages

The problem: outbursts of anger

The recipe: coping with frustration

chapter |3 pages

The problem: unprovoked aggression

The recipe: express strong feelings in ways that do not hurt others

chapter |2 pages

The problem: frequent episodes of distress/crying

The recipe: tuning in to the positive and becoming resilient

chapter |2 pages

The problem: destructive behaviour (own work)

The recipe: valuing personal efforts as well as achievements

chapter |2 pages

The problem: destructive behaviour (other people’s work and possessions)

The recipe: kindness to others

chapter |4 pages

The problem: high levels of anxiety

The recipe: increased confidence

chapter |2 pages

The problem: negativity

The recipe: positive re-framing

chapter |3 pages

The problem: depression

The recipe: becoming more hopeful

section 6|23 pages

behaviours of special concern

chapter |2 pages

The problem: obsessive or ritualistic behaviour

The recipe: reduced anxiety and increased sense of control

chapter |2 pages

The problem: eating difficulties

The recipe: healthy eating and positive self-esteem

chapter |3 pages

The problem: sexually explicit behaviour

The recipe: awareness of what is acceptable, respectful and safe

chapter |4 pages

The problem: self-harm – cutting

The recipe: positive coping strategies

chapter |3 pages

The problem: considering suicide

The recipe: staying safe

chapter |2 pages

The problem: unsafe risk taking

The recipe: taking care of self and others

chapter |2 pages

The problem: blurring of boundaries between fantasy and reality

The recipe: awareness of what is real and what is not