Virtual Behavior-Specific Praise Elementary Example and Non-Example

Narrator: Mrs. Scruggs wants students to log in to virtual learning on time. “Log in on time” is one of her classroom rules, which she has taught to the class. Yet some of the students, like Daphne, consistently log in late. In this example, Mrs. Scruggs uses behavior-specific praise to acknowledge students who arrive on time. Note how she states each student’s name and then specifically describes his or her behavior.

Mrs. Scruggs: Good morning, Sophie and Skylar. Nice job logging in early. I’m glad you’re here today!

[Shown in chat box] Hi, Amelia! It’s nice to see you! Thank you for logging in early!

Hi, Noah! Thank you for logging in early! It’s nice to see you!

Feel free to say “Hi” to your friends in the chat box while we’re waiting. Good morning, Elijah! Thank you for logging in on time.

[Shown in chat box] Daphne, thank you for logging in on time today. It’s nice to have you here!

Summer and Maddox, I see that you’re logged in and ready to learn. Thank you!

I appreciate that everyone logged in on time. You are all so responsible! And that means that we can start class on time. In today’s morning meeting, we’re going to think like innovators.

Narrator: To review, the teacher implemented behavior-specific praise correctly. She established behavioral expectations, observed student behavior, and praised the students. When she did so, she stated the students’ names and delivered praise specific to their behavior. In addition, she delivered behavior-specific praise both verbally and in the chat box based on the students’ preferences. In this non-example, Mrs. Scruggs attempts to offer behavior-specific praise, but her efforts fall short. Pay close attention to the ways in which her word choices and timing prove ineffective.

Mrs. Scruggs: Good job, everyone! Feel free to say “Hi” to your friends in the chat box while we’re waiting.

Thank you, Daphne.

Narrator: To review, Mrs. Scruggs attempted to use behavior-specific praise by making comments like “Good job, everyone” and “Thank you, Daphne.” However, this was not behavior-specific praise because the statements did not specify the desired behavior. In Daphne’s case, she also delayed the acknowledgement for several seconds after she logged in rather than immediately following the desired behavior. This caused confusion for Daphne, who didn’t know why her teacher was thanking her.