Managing student behaviors after an extended period of time off can be a daunting task.

<p>Managing student behaviors after an extended period of time off can be a daunting task. Often, students will be coming back to school from less structured environments, erratic sleep schedules, and possibly increased food insecurity. That said, returning from Fall, Winter, or Spring break doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world (for you or your students). There are some ways to mitigate migraines and help students transition from their lazy days on break to the structured and rigorous academic journey that your class is about to embark on. Below are a few of the strategies we suggest when coming back to class after school is out of session:</p>
<h2>Mini-Reboot</h2>
<ul>
  <li>While we aren’t starting the year over from scratch, you will likely have to reacclimate your student(s) to the high pressures of school. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRXYc4xmvwg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">This includes restating and reteaching norms</a>¹, expectations, routines, self-regulation strategies, and basic rules. Take your time and be patient with them, as off-task behavior after breaks is natural.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Focus on Community</h2>
<ul>
  <li>Students have been away from you and school for quite some time. That’s exactly why we are focusing on reestablishing those routines, as previously stated. It’s also important during this transition time to recognize the fact that they have been away from their peers and groups for some time. Giving students an opportunity to reconnect is not just positive for them socially but it will help your class flow more smoothly once academics are reintroduced. We have covered this very topic in <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/community-building-eases-transition-back-into-the-classroom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our blog about kicking off the school year here</a>.² An additional tactic to accomplish this in your classroom is planning activities that allow for socialization or group work (i.e. think-pair-shares, group projects etc.).</li>
</ul>
<h2>Accentuate the Positive</h2>
<ul>
  <li>If you want students to repeat a behavior, praise it. Any time a student meets or exceeds an expectation, no matter how small, be sure to recognize them for it. <a href="https://www.pbisrewards.com/blog/how-often-should-you-praise-students/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ideally, you’re praising students roughly four times as often as you are correcting their behaviors</a>.³</li>
</ul>
<h2>Slowly Ramp Up the Work</h2>
<ul>
  <li>Once students have become more or less readjusted with the ways of the educational world slowly ramping up academic tasks and demands can help keep maladaptive behaviors at bay. We emphasize the importance of slowly and incrementally doing this since students may have had little to no academic expectations during their time away from the school setting.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><br /></p>
<p>Moreover, the reality of the situation is that time is an incredibly limited resource in the classroom. The above methods will initially take some of that instructional time away from the students you support. Coming off of a break you may feel even more pressure to immediately jump back into content and instruction. But this time is like an investment. While it doesn’t necessarily create immediate academic success, it allows students to feel more comfortable with you and their peers. Furthermore it fosters a more engaged and cohesive classroom in the long term that will pay dividends in the future. Returning from break is no vacation; however, it is an opportunity to reset and reinspire your students.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Interested in learning more about Cross Country Education and its job opportunities? <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/education/talent-professions?utm_source=Website&amp;utm_campaign=BLOG" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a>.</p>
<h3>References:</h3>
<ol>
  <li>Edutopia. <em>“Fostering Belonging with Classroom Norms.”</em> YouTube, uploaded by Edutopia, 14 Jan. 2019,<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRXYc4xmvwg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRXYc4xmvwg</a>.</li>
  <li>Cross Country Healthcare. “Community-Building Eases Transition Back Into the Classroom.” CrossCountry.com, Cross Country Healthcare, 17 Sept. 2021,<a href="http://www.crosscountry.com/blog/community-building-eases-transition-back-into-the-classroom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> www.crosscountry.com/blog/community-building-eases-transition-back-into-the-classroom</a>.</li>
  <li>PBIS Rewards. “How Often Should You Praise Students?” PBISRewards.com, PBIS Rewards, n.d.,<a href="http://www.pbisrewards.com/blog/how-often-should-you-praise-students/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> www.pbisrewards.com/blog/how-often-should-you-praise-students/</a>.</li>
</ol>


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