PBIS Presentation: Tier 1

Behavioral interventions and

Verbal De-escalation
Cowell PD, January 6, 2016

Learning Objectives
Teachers will learn:

What is MTSS, how and why we bring forward a student for MTSS, and what
interventions need to be in place for this

How to prevent a crisis by using verbal de-escalation techniques to diffuse a

situation and keep a student from becoming verbally and/ or physically
aggressive

MTSS Process
?? Should I bring all my students on READ Acts to MTSS??
When teachers have behavioral and/ or academic concerns about students:

Please fill in the proper forms and give them to Katie Self or Jodi Trujillo (or
Kate Varley when she returns)
Please provide at least tier 1 interventions to students before beginning the
MTSS process
Progress monitoring data collection is mandatory: DRA/ DIBELS for
reading, math assessments, writing samples, behaviors documented in IC,
data related to interventions used, attendance data.

Tier 1 Behavioral Interventions

All Classrooms Should Have:

Positive, clear rules posted

Schedule posted with visuals if necessary
Behavior Chart to track PRIDE Points
Teaching/ using the Peace for Kids vocabulary
Be in contact with parents about attendance and behavior (4 positive
statements for every negative)
After Tier 1 interventions for attendance have been completed, complete
attendance referral form
Look in PBIS folder in Google Drive for more examples

De-escalation stages and strategies

How can you prevent a crisis when a student is in an earlier stage - either anxiety
or defensive? How can we keep students from verbal and physical escalation?

Stage 1: Anxiety
If students show signs of anxiety, staff response is to be supportive.

Supportive: Use active listening and be empathetic. Sound curious instead of

sounding authoritative.

Examples:
Student fidgeting loudly or pacing. Some students might be talkative and asking
a lot of questions.
Staff: It looks like you might be feeling anxious because you are....
Staff can also give examples to the students about how to fidget quietly or ideas
of how a teacher can help alleviate their anxiety.

Stage 2: Defensive
If students show signs of being defensive (or in a power struggle), staff response
is to be directive.

Example: Say what you want the student to do and the outcome of what can
happen if the student doesnt follow these directions

I need you to sit down at the carpet with the class; its time to learn, or you
can take a break at your desk. (everyday example)
I need you to put the chair down, and take a 2 minute break, or I will have
to call the office. (extreme example-use calling the office as a last resort. If the
situation continues to stay escalated, this is a room clear)

Tips and Tricks

Stage 3: Acting Out

Most students can be de-escalated before this stage. This is when a student is
being aggressive towards other students and/or staff.
Staff: Follow the procedures for Room Clear.

Call the office (dial 0). If it is a safety issue, press the non-emergency
button. Note: This is ONLY in case of emergency.
Make sure that you can see the class and the acting out child so that
everyone is safe.
In case of physical acting out, the NCI trained team needs to be called. We
have a signup sheet for people that are interested in being trained.

Stage 4: Tension Reduction

This is when the student calms down after being escalated, possibly feeling
remorse at this time.
Staff: Remain calm and inviting when the child re-enters the classroom. Discuss
the incident with child briefly restating the expectations.

Scenarios- How would you respond to students?

Its after lunch, and one of your students is walking around the room talking
to other people instead of sitting at his desk. When redirected, he sits down,
but he is loudly banging on the table with his pencil which is disturbing the
other students and making it hard to work. He cant seem to calm down and
focus on his work.

You approach a group of three girls who are supposed to be working on a

task together. They are talking and playing instead. When asked to work,
one of them starts to argue with you. I dont want to do this stupid
assignment! You cant make me!

Interested in more information sign up!

Sign up sheet - by the cookie tray at the door
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
With a focus on prevention, our core training program equips staff with proven strategies for safely defusing anxious,
hostile, or violent behavior at the earliest possible stage. Its been setting the standard for crisis prevention and
intervention training for over 35 years, and can help your organization.