Bette Nix's Blog

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Several workshops are scheduled for the Paraprofessionals August 10 & 11. These workshops are not mandatory, but could be helpful with your job. The topics were taken from requests given during the year.

August 10
Presenter: Kerri Mataya
Title: Asperger Syndrome: What Does that Mean to a Paraprofessional
Objective: Participants will learn characteristics and helpful hints about students with Asperger syndrome.
8:00-10:30 Elementary/Intermediate ONLY
12:00-2:30 Middle/High ONLY
Location: SCISC

August 10
Presenter: TASC
Title: Low Technology/No Technology Adaptive Devices
Objective: Participants will learn how to use low tech/no tech adaptive devices with students.
8:00-10:30 Session has been cancelled. Please register for the afternoon session.
12:00-2:30
Location: SCISC

August 11
Presenter: Bobby Hudson, Gateway
Title: Helping Paraprofessionals Managing Behavior/Crisis in the Classroom
Objective: Participants will learn how to de-escalate situations, gain a better understanding of why students act inappropriately and how to deal with resistance.
8:00-10:30 Elementary/Intermediate ONLY
12:00-2:30 Middle/High ONLY
Location: SCISC

August 11
Presenter: Jan Cibulski & School Nurse Staff
Title: Health/Medical Issues in the Classroom
Objective: Participants will learn general information about health/medial issues (i.e., diabetes, seizures, choking, allergies) and their responsibilities (legal/moral).
12:30-3:00
Location: TIS lunchroom

Now there is a new Module, Module 9 – Physical Therapy: Transfers, Locomotion, Etc. and is required for certain paraprofessionals. These paraprofessionals should have received an email from me several times during the summer. You cannot register for this workshop on PDC. I have a list of those needing this workshop. Contact me if you have any questions.

If you are looking for the behavior plan template and samples, go to the side menu bar and click on March 2008. You will find them there.

Upcoming Workshop News
On July 29, I will be teaching a two-part workshop. 8:15 Session is Making Data Work for You Part One – Analyzing Data and the 12:15 session is Making Data Work for You Part Two – Writing Behavior Intervention Plans.

During Part One, we will be in the computer lab using Excel to graph data and analyze data. If you have data that you have collected on a student, bring it and you can use that data. If you don’t have data, I will provide some for you.

During Part Two, we will be in a classroom using the data and resources to write Behavior Intervention Plans/Behavior Support Plans. If you have one of the Hawthrone Educational Services: Behavior Intervention Manuals, please bring it because we will be using those for this portion. I will try to borrow some from local schools for those who do not have one.

There are 25 seats available. Hope to see you there.

I just received a backorder; books for teens.
1. An Instant Help Book Set for Teens: Beyond the Blues –A Workbook to Help Teens Overcome Depression Schab, L. (2008) Instant Help Books.
2. An Instant Help Book Set for Teens: Coping with Cliques–A Workbook to Help Girls Deal with Gossip, Put-Downs, Bullying & Other Mean Behavior Sprague, S. (2008) Instant Help Books.
3. An Instant Help Book Set for Teens: Stopping the Pain –A Workbook for Teens Who Cut & Self-Injure Shapiro, L. (2008) Instant Help Books.
4. An Instant Help Book Set for Teens: The Anxiety Workbook for Teens –Activities to Help You Deal with Anxiety & Worry Schab, L. (2008) Instant Help Books.
5. An Instant Help Book Set for Teens: The Divorce Workbook for Teens –Activities to Help You Move Beyond the Breakup Schab, L. (2008) Instant Help Books.
6. An Instant Help Book Set for Teens: The Social Success Workbook for Teens –Skill-building Activities for Teens with Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder & Other Social-Skill Problems Cooper, B. & Widdows, N. (2008) Instant Help Books.
7. An Instant Help Book Set for Teens: What’s Eating You? –A Workbook for Teens with Anorexia, Bulimia & Other Eating Disorders Nelson, T. (2008) Instant Help Books

I just received a shipment of books. Here is a list of the newest additions:
1.The Berenstain Bears and the
a. Big Blooper
b. Excuse Note
c. Homework Hassle
d. Messy Room

2.The Berenstain Bears and too much
a. Junk Food
b. Pressure
c. TV
d. Teasing

3. The Berenstain Bears
a. Don’t Pollute (anymore)
b. Go To Camp
c. Go To School
d. Lend a Helping Hand
e. Report Card Trouble
f. Think of Those in Need

Intervention Resources
1. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: Coping with Tourette Syndrome-A Workbook for Kids with Tic Disorders. Buffolano, S. (2008) Instant Help Books.
2. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: Finding Sunshine After the Storm-A Workbook for Children Healing from Sexual Abuse. McGee, S. & Holmes, C. (2008) Instant Help Books.
3. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: Knowing Yourself, Knowing Others-A Workbook for Children with Asperger’s Disorder, Nonverbal Learning Disorder and Other Social-Skill Problems. Cooper, B. & Widdows, N. (2008) Instant Help Books.
4. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: I Bet I Won’t Fret-A Workbook to Help Children with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Sisemore, T. (2008) Instant Help Books.
5. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: I’m Not Bad, I’m Just Mad- A Workbook to Help Kids Control Their Anger. Shapiro, L., Pelta-Heller, Z. & Greenwald, A. (2008) Instant Help Books.
6. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: Learning to Listen, Learning to Care-A Workbook to Help Kids Learn Self-Control and Empathy. Shapiro, L. (2008) Instant Help Books.
7. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: Let’s Be Friends-A Workbook to Help Kids Learn Social Skills and Make Great Friend. Shapiro, L. & Holmes, J. (2008) Instant Help Books.
8. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: My Feeling Better Workbook-Help for Kids Who are Sad and Depressed. Hamil, S. (2008) Instant Help Books.
9. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: My Lifebook Journal-A Workbook for Children in Foster Care. Accinelli, T. (2008) Instant Help Books.
10. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: Say Goodbye to Being Shy-A Workbook to Help Kids Overcome Shyness. Brozovich, R. & Chase, L. (2008) Instant Help Books.
11. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: The Divorce Workbook for Children-Help for Kids to Overcome Difficult Family Changes and Grow up Happy. Schab, L (2008) Instant Help Books.
12. An Instant Help Book Set for Parents and Kids: Why Did You Die? –Activities to Help Children Cope with Grief and Loss. Leeuwenburgh, E. & Goldring E. (2008) Instant Help Books.

I conducted a workshop yesterday for HES parents. I showed them some of the resources I have available and told them how to contact me if they wanted more information. That got me to thinking about teachers and administrators here. Below you will find a list of resources that I have available for you to check out. Please note that some of the books are from my personal library and some are provided by Shelby County Schools. Just let me know if you would like to borrow and I will check it out to you.

Bibliotherapy SETS (literature)
1. The Berenstain Bears and the
a. Bad Dream
b. Bad Habit
c. Blame Game
d. Blaze a Trail
e. Bully
f. Ghost of the Forest
g. Green-Eyed Monster
h. In-Crowd
i. Missing Honey
j. Slumber Party
k. Truth
l. Trouble with Friends
m. Trouble with Grownups

2. The Berenstain Bears
a. Forget Their Manners
b. Get in A Fight
c. Get The Gimmies
d. Go Out for The Team
e. Learn About Strangers
f. Moving Day
g. New Neighbors
h. No Girls Allowed
i. And Too Much Teasing
j. Trick or Treat
k. Trouble at School

3. No Bullies Allowed! Series (Scholastic) by Teddy Slater
a. Ben’s Bad Day
b. Henry’s Violin
c. Here comes Smelly Nellie
d. Jake’s Secret
e. Patty and the Pink Princesses
f. Trouble for Trudy

4. The Best Me I Can Be Series (Scholastic) by David Parker
a. I accept you as you are!
b. I am a leader!
c. I am confident!
d. I am generous!
e. I am positive!
f. I am responsible!
g. I can be fair!
h. I can cooperate!
i. I can listen!
j. I can share!
k. I care about others!
l. I have manners!
m. I show respect!
n. I tell the truth!
o. I’m a good friend!
p. I’m in charge of me!

Bibliotherapy (literature)
1. A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue Cook, Julia (2006) CTC Publishing
2. And Here’s to You! Elliott, David (2004) Candlewick Press
3. Different Just Like Me Mitchell, Lori (1999) Talewinds
4. Don’t Squeal Unless It’s a Big Deal Ransom, Jeanie Franz (2006) Magination Press
5. Hands are Not for Hitting Agassi, Martine (2000) Free Spirit Publishing
6. I’m Gonna Like Me – Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem Curtis, Jamie Lee & Cornell, Laura (2004) Joanna Cotler Books
7. Just Kidding Ludwig, Trudy (2006) Tricycle Press
8. Monster Manners Cole. Joanna (1985) Scholastic, Inc.
9. Mr. Worry: A Story about OCD Niner, Holly ( 2004) Albert Whitman & Company
10. My Friend is Sad Willems, Mo (2007) Scholastic, Inc.
11. My Secret Bully Ludwig, Trudy (2004) Tricycle Press
12. Sorry! Ludwig, Trudy (2006) Tricycle Press
13. The Spider and the Fly Diterlizzi, Tony (2002) Scholastic, Inc.
14. We’ll Always Be There for You Aubrey, Annette (2007) QEB Publishing, Inc.
15. What Are You So Grumpy About? Lichtenheld, Tom (2003) Little, Brown and Company
16. Words are Not for Hurting Verdick, Elizabeth (2004) Free Spirit Publishing

Intervention Resources
1. Addressing the Challenging Behavior of Children with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome in the Classroom: A Guide for Teachers and Parents Moyes, Rebecca (2002) Jessica Kingsley Publishers
2. Attention Deficit Disorders Intervention Manual Edited by Samm N House (2002) Hawthrone Educational Services
3. Behavior Intervention Manual: Goals, Objectives, Intervention Strategies Edited by Samm N House (2002) Hawthrone Educational Services
4. Character Education: Teaching Values for Life Grades 5-6 Freeman, Sara (1997) McGraw Hill Children’s Publishing
5. Character Education: The Ladder to Success Grades 4-6 Graham, Leland & McCoy, Isabelle (2004) Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.
6. Conflict Resolution Grades K-4 Jasmine, Julia (1997) Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
7. Daily Character Education Activities: 180 Lessons for Each Day of the School Year Series (Grades K-1) (Grades 2-3) (Grades 4-5) Daniel-White, Becky (2004) Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.
8. Everybody Gets ANGRY!: A Year’s Worth of Activities To Help Kids Control Their Anger Pill, Ellen (2005) The Bureau For At-Risk Youth
9. Every Time I Blow My Top I Lose My Head!: A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Cool Under Stress Slap-Shelton, Laura & Shapiro, Lawrence (1992) Childswork Childsplay
10. Five Universal Principles of Positive Behavior Support and the Story of My Life Golly, Annemieke (2006) IEP Resources Attainment Company, Inc.
11. Happy, Sad, Jealous, Mad: Stories, Rhymes, and Activities that Help Young Children Understand their Emotions PreK-Grade 1 Browning-Wroe, Jo (2007) Key Education Publishing Compnay
12. How I Learned to Control My Temper: A Storybook and Workbook of Activities to Help Children Learn Self-Control Pincus, Debbie (1995) Childswork/Childsplay
13. How to Reach and Teach Children with ADD/ADHD 2nd edition Rief, Sandra (2005) Jossey-Bass
14. How to Take the GRRRR Out of Anger Verdick, Elizabeth & Lisovskis, Marjorie (2003) Free Spirit Publishing
15. If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do? Humphrey, Sandra McLeod (1995) Prometheus Books
16. Learning Intervention Manual Edited by Samm N House (2002) Hawthrone Educational Services
17. Life Skills Activities for Secondary Students with Special Needs Mannix, Darlene (1995) Jossey-Bass
18. Ready-to-Use Social Skills Lessons & Activities Series, Grades PreK-K, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-12 (1995) Jossey Bass
19. Reclaiming Our Prodigal Sons and Daughters: A Practical Approach for Connecting with Youth in Conflict Larson, Scott & Brendtro, Larry (2000) Solution Tree
20. Room 14: A Social Language Program Wilson, Carolyn (1993) Lingui Systems
21. Self-Management: Promoting Success In Middle School Students Helping Students Help Themselves Wilson, David & Wilson, Ruth Ann ( 1996) Mark Twain Media: Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.
22. Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications for Kids Wilens, Timothy (2006) The Guilford Press
23. Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents Barkley, Russel (2000) The Guilford Press
24. Teaching Character…It’s Elementary: 36 Weeks of Daily Lessons for Grades K-5 Broome, Sadie & Henley, Nancy (2005) Character Development Publishing
25. The ADD & ADHD Answer Book Ashley, Susan (2007) Source Books, Inc.
26. The ADHD Workbook for Parents: A Guide for Parents of Children Ages 2-12 with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Parker, Harvey, (2005) Specialty Press, Inc.
27. The Asperger’s Answer Book Ashley, Susan (2007) Source Books, Inc.
28. The Me I’m Learning to Be: Open-Ended Activities for Self-Awareness and Values Clarification Forte, Imogene (1991) Incentive Publications, Inc.
29. Treating youth with DSM-IV Disorders: The Role of Social Skills Instruction Sterba, Michael & Dowd, Tom (1998) Boys Town Press
30. You Decide Workbooks: You Decide About Handling Your Anger Schader, Karen (2006) Childswork/Childsplay
31. You Decide Workbooks: You Decide About Handling Frustration Shapiro, Lawrence (2006) Childswork/Childsplay
32. You Decide Workbooks: You Decide About Teasing & Bullying Shapiro, L. (2006) Childswork/Childsplay

Yesterday, 3/3/09, I had the opportunity to attend a CLAS workshop at the Wynfrey Hotel. The workshop was titled: 25 Ways to Handle the Challenges of the Classroom. The phenomenal speaker, Annette Breaux, discussed ways to increase student achievement and truly make a difference in the lives of every student. WOW! She was GREAT!

Annette is a former classroom teacher and curriculum coordinator, she now serves at the Teacher Induction Coordinator for Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Tips for Teachers:
Tip 1: Avoid power struggles with students at all cost. They’re pointless, they’re futile, and they make you appear unprofessional.
Tip 2: Do not procrastinate. It’s much better to be on top of your workload than to have your workload on top of you!
Tip 3: Make lessons real for your students.
Tip 4: Avoid homework overload.
Tip 5: Refrain from lecturing by getting students actively involved in lessons.
Tip 6: Believe that your students can, and they will!
Tip 7: Do not, at any cost, yell and scream at a student.
Tip 8: Inspire your students with everything you are and everything you have to give.
Tip 9: Never underestimate the power of your influence.
Tip 10: Never forget to look behind the masks that children so often wear.

Other tidbits of information
Step 1 – Remember that you are a role model and your actions speak much louder than your words.
*Most brains ignore the words someone speaks, but pays attention to the actions. Research shows that people pay attention to only 7% of what I say, 38% of my tonality and 55% of my body language.

Step 2 – You must be an excellent classroom manager to be an effective teacher.
*Organize your time well.
*Plan good lessons
*Know the difference between rules and procedures. (ex. raising your hand to speak is a procedure not a rule)
*Have clear rules, but only a few
*Teach your procedures (there should be a lot of procedures)
*Provide an inviting atmosphere

Step 3-Treat students with respect and dignity and know how to defuse any situation.
*Put students at ease. (make promises – “I’ll never scream at you, you are safe with me”
*Avoid negatives. RESEARCH SAYS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RATIO OF 12:1, POSITIVES TO NEGATIVES.
*Assume the best from your students.
*Greet students daily

Step 4 – Teach enthusiastically even when you don’t feel enthusiastic.

Step 5 – Relate all you teach to THEIR lives.

AND MORE
*Teachers SHOULDN’T fight back. Avoid the power struggles.
*Look for the reason behind the behavior.
*Students need happy adults in their lives.
*Teachers should not “defend their previous service” when things are going badly; what they do presently is what matters.
*Have amnesia – forget the negative stuff from day to day.
*Never lose your cool – stay calm. Do not let the students know you have “buttons”.
*If you scream, you are admitting you can’t control your emotions.
*Don’t engage in gossip – it is harmful.
*Every child needs to think you believe in them; takes them from where they are and moves them forward.
*Effects can be seen in test scores two years later because of ONE ineffective teacher.

I Teach
I light a spark in a darkened soul
I warm the heart of one grown cold
I look beyond and see within
Behind the face, beneath the skin
I quench a thirst, I soothe a pain
I provide the food that will sustain
I touch, I love, I laugh, I cry
Whatever is needed, I supply
Yet more than I give, I gain from each
I am most richly blessed, I teach.
Annette Breaux

I have had several discussions about token economies within in the last few weeks. A few of them created stress/frustration in me.
Let’s back up. Token economies or reward systems are set up to provide some type of token, coin, object, sticker for good behavior. These are then exchanged for a reward. Of course they are only exchanged when a specified criteria is met.
With that in mind, I will finish my discussion. I have been told on three occassions that a token economy has not and could not be used with the students at local schools because it would hurt the child’s self-esteem. When asked how that was possible, it was said the student would never be able to earn the token because there is never any good/appropriate behavior.
I have major issues with these comments. First as stated above, the purpose of the economy/system is to catch the child being good/displaying appropriate behavior and thus rewarding the child. This builds the child’s self-esteem. Second, we should never say that a child is NEVER good or NEVER displays appropriate behavior. This is rarely ever true. If you believe this, please go back to my first comment about catching the child displaying appropriate behavior. Thirdly, if the economy/system is being used and the child is NOT receiving a reward, then the adults involved should revisit the criteria. It should be lowered in order to ensure success for the child.
Token economies are a great way to help a child make a connection between appropriate behavior and pleasing adults. One must keep in mind that if a token economy is being used, the teacher should be keeping daily data on the success or lack of success of the economy. This documentation will be used to help the teacher make decisions about increasing or decreasing the criteria.
Attached you should find two simple examples of token economies for elementary students. One is called the High Five Folder and the other is the Piggy Bank folder. With the High Five folder, the student earns a symbol and fills up a High Five. With the Piggy Bank, the student is earning a specific number of pennies.
I hope you find this helpful. Feel free to comment.
High Five Folder
Piggy Bank Folder

I’m not sure if you know this or not, but Shelby County has an increase in the prevalance of students with Mood and Anxiety Disorders. I will be conducting a workshop on this topic at OMIS for their staff soon. I am uploading a copy of the PowerPoint presentation for you in case you are interested. Feel to contact me for more information.
mood-disorders.ppt

I stumbled onto a wonderful resource and I want to share it with everyone: Instant Help Charts from .
Childswork Childsplay (1-800-962-1141)

Stay informed with this collection of charts. They are designed to give you an “instant” overview of how to assess the problem, the most useful techniques, dos and don’ts for teachers and parents, medications that help, and more. The 10-chart collection includes: ODD, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, Depression, Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Asperger Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Autism, and Self-injury. Charts are 4 pages, four-color, laminated. The cost is $39.95