How to Create Behavior Contracts for Students

How to Create Behavior Contracts for Students Every teacher has at least one challenging student in her class, a child who needs extra structure and incentive to change bad behavior habits. These arent bad kids; they often just need a little extra support, structure, and discipline. Behavior contracts can help you mold the behavior of these students so that they no longer disrupt learning in your classroom. What Is a Behavior Contract? A behavior contract is an agreement between the teacher, student, and the students parents that sets limits for student behavior, rewards good choices, and outlines consequences for bad choices. This type of program sends a clear message to the child by communicating with them that their disruptive behavior cannot continue. It lets them know your expectations and what the consequences of their actions, both good and bad, will be.   Step 1, Customize the Contract First, make a plan for change. Use this behavior contract form as a guide for the meeting you will soon have with the student and his/her parents. Tailor the form to your particular situation, taking into consideration the personality and preferences of the child you are helping. Step 2, Set Up A Meeting Next, hold a meeting with the involved parties. Perhaps your school has an assistant principal in charge of discipline; if so, invite this person to the meeting. The student and his/her parents should attend as well. Focus on 1 to 2 particular behaviors that you would like to see change. Dont try to change everything at once. Take baby steps toward major improvement and set goals that the student will perceive as achievable. Make it clear that you care about this child and want to see him/her improve in school this year. Emphasize that the parent, student, and teacher are all part of the same team.   Step 3, Communicate the Consequences Define the tracking method to be used on a daily basis for monitoring student behavior. Describe the rewards and consequences that correlate with behavior choices. Be very specific and clear in this area and use quantitative explanations whenever possible. Involve the parents in designing a system of rewards and consequences. Make sure that the chosen consequences are truly important to this particular child; you can even ask the child for input which will make him/her buy into the process even further. Have all involved parties sign the agreement and end the meeting on a positive note. Step 4, Schedule a Follow-Up Meeting Schedule a follow-up meeting 2 to 6 weeks from your initial meeting to discuss progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed. Let the child know that the group will be meeting again soon to discuss their progress. Step 5, Be Consistent in the Classroom In the meantime, be very consistent with this child in the classroom. Stick to the wording of the behavior contract agreement as much as you can. When the child makes good behavior choices, offer praise. When the child makes poor choices, do not be apologetic; if needed, pull out the contract and review the terms that the child agreed upon. Emphasize the positive consequences that can come as a result of good behavior and enforce any negative consequences of the childs bad behavior that you agreed upon in the contract.   Step 6, Be Patient and Trust the Plan Most of all, be patient. Do not give up on this child. Misbehaved children often need extra love and positive attention and your investment in their well-being can go a long way.   In Conclusion You might be surprised at the huge feeling of relief that all involved parties feel just by having an agreed-upon plan. Use your teachers intuition to start yourself on a more peaceful and productive path with this child.

Tattoo Ink Carrier Chemistry

Tattoo Ink Carrier Chemistry Tattoo ink consists of pigment and a carrier. The carrier may be a single substance or a mixture. The purpose of the carrier is to keep the pigment evenly distributed in a fluid matrix, to inhibit the growth of pathogens, to prevent clumping of pigment, and to aid in application to the skin. Among the safest and most common ingredients used to make the liquid are: ethyl alcohol (ethanol)purified waterwitch hazelListerinepropylene glycolglycerine (glycerol) However, many other substances have been and may be used, including: denatured alcohols (are toxic and can burn the skin)other alcohols (methyl alcohol or methanol and isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol are commonly used, although they are toxic) ethylene glycol (antifreeze, which is toxic)aldehydes, such as formaldehyde and gluteraldehyde (highly toxic)various surfactants or detergents There are many other substances that could be found in an ink. A tattooist has the choice of mixing his or her own ink (mixing dry dispersed pigment and a carrier solution) or purchasing what are called predispersed pigments. Many predispersed pigments are as safe or safer than inks mixed by the tattooist. However, the ingredient list need not be disclosed, so any chemical could be present in the ink. The best advice is to make sure the ink supplier and the particular ink has a long history of safety. Although I have applied the word toxic to many substances listed on the pigment and carrier list, that is an oversimplification. Some of these chemicals are mutagens, carcinogens, teratogens, toxins, or else they  participate in other reactions in the body, some of which may not show up for decades.