How the Brain Influences Behavior : Management Strategies for Every Classroom

by David A. Sousa

• ISBN13: 9781412958707
• ISBN10: 1412958709
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-08
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

"This is a timely topic with workable solutions that enables students to learn in today's classrooms. A must-read for educators working with diverse populations." -Carolyn Chapman, Educational Consultant Creative Learning Connection, Inc."This winning book presents clearly outlined brain research as it applies to proactively managing classroom discipline issues. A must-have for teachers who prefer to not only teach, but effectively reach every student too!" -Toby J. Karten, Graduate Instructor College of New Jersey, Gratz CollegeUse research-based strategies to improve behavior in the K-12 classroom!Combining theory and practice, best-selling author David A. Sousa helps educators understand what is happening in the brains of students with behavior problems and offers practical, effective intervention strategies compatible with current findings in neuroscience.In easy-to-understand language, the author presents current information on brain development and function and highlights factors that affect social and emotional decision making and negative behaviors like impulsivity, defiance, and violence. Comprehensive yet concise, this guide for K-12 teachers and counselors provides methods for teaching self-control and fostering positive relationships with troubled students and provides case studies that match effective strategies with specific behaviors. Educators will find answers to critical questions such as: How does the rate of brain development explain the erratic behavior of adolescents? What type of data collection can help teachers manage misbehavior? Can peer influence help curb misbehavior rather than encourage it? Why are boys more likely to misbehave than girls and what can teachers do about it? How do school and classroom climates affect student behavior?This invaluable handbook also features reproducible forms, worksheets, checklists, additional references, and an expanded list of primary research sources to help teachers understand and apply research-based principles for classroom and behavior management.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Are Behavior Problems on the Rise?

Can Neuroscience Help?

About This Book Questions

This Book Will Answer

Chapter Contents Other Helpful Tools

Handling Social Misbehavior

The Social and Emotional Brain Emotional Processing Pathways of Emotional Signals What Leads to Social Misbehavior?

The Teacher Is the Key Interventions for Handling Social Misbehavior Dealing

With Social Anxieties Using Social Stories to Modify Behavior

A Case Study: Using a Social Story for a Verbally Aggressive Student

A Social Story for Angry Students Summary

Dealing With Impulsive Behavior

What Leads to Impulsivity and Violent Behavior?

Genetic Variations Prenatal Exposure to Cocaine Cerebral Lesions

An Important Word About Testosterone Ignorance of Rules of Behavior Some Strategies for Controlling

Impulsive Behavior Cognitive and Cognitive-Behavioral

Interventions Putting Impulsive Problem Behavior in a Social Context Using Picture Books to Curb Impulsive Anger or Anxiety Other

Suggested Strategies Summary

Teaching Self-Control Through Self-Verbalization Examining Self-Control What Is Self-Control?

Are Children Learning Self-Control?

Brain Structures for Self-Control Do Mirror Neurons Play a Role in Self-Control?

Losing Self-Control Helping Students Regain Self-Control Verbal Self-Contol of Aggressive, Defiant, or Other Behavior

The Power of Self-Talk

The ZIPPER Strategy

"Say No and Walk Away" to Resist Peer Pressure Self-Control Through

Self-Talk and Self-Monitoring

The Nature of Attention

Self-Monitoring for Other Problem Behaviors

Self-Control Through Self-Rating of Emotional Intensity

The Anger Thermometer Summary

Managing the Behavior of Boys Why a Concern With Boys?

Gender Differences in Behavior Genetic and Environmental Factors Impact of Biology Some Research

Findings on Behavioral Differences Using Research-Based Strategies

Movement-Based Instruction and Classroom Management

Boy-Friendly Instruction and Discipline

The Responsibility Strategy And What About Girls?

The Rise of Cyberbullying Bullying Versus Cyberbullying Dealing With Cyberbullying Summary

Building Positive Relationships

With Troubled Students Relationships and Research Insights From Neuroscience Some Research Findings Developing

Teacher-Student Relationships

The Importance of Positive Relationships

With and for Students Reaching Unreachable Students With Dialogue Journals

The Lunch Bunch: An Educator's Idea Managing Serious Behavior Problems Through Adult Mentoring

Summary

Using Peer Relationships to Modify Behavior Examining Peer Relationships

Dealing With Peer Influence

A Two-Edged Sword The Desire to Be Liked Peer-Mediated Behavior Management Strategies Peer-Mediated Anger Management Factors to Consider in Peer

Mediation Peer Confrontation to Curb Misbehavior

The Mystery Motivator/Mystery Character Intervention to Decrease Inappropriate Behavior Group Contingency Interventions

Summary

Managing Oppositional Behavior

What Is Oppositional Behavior? Causes of Oppositional Behavior Students With Oppositional Behavior in the Classroom Teacher

Knowledge of Oppositional Behavior Teacher Frustration and Countercontrol Defiant

Students: Explosions Waiting to Happen Avoiding Triggers for Misbehavior in the Classroom Teaching Students to Relax Other

Strategies What About Oppositional Defiant Disorder? (ODD) Development of ODD Treatment of ODD

Summary 8

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