Tier 1 · Universal

Behavior-specific praise

Name exactly what the student did well, and aim for at least four positive interactions for every correction.

Setup: No prep Who: Any adult

How to do it

Pick one or two target behaviors to watch for.
When you see the behavior, name it specifically: “You started your writing right away. That’s being responsible.”
Keep it brief and sincere. For students who dislike public praise, say it quietly, write a sticky note, or give a thumbs-up.
Track your ratio for a lesson (tally marks on a sticky note) and aim for at least 4 positives to 1 correction.
Praise effort and strategies, not just correct answers.

All day, with every student
Especially right after a student meets an expectation they usually struggle with
When you notice you’ve been correcting a student much more than praising

“Good job” isn’t specific. Say what was good.
Catch the student close to the start of the day or class to set a positive tone.
Set a vibrating timer or place visual reminders to prompt yourself.

Count how often a behavior happens each day and period. Good for behaviors with a clear start and end, like calling out or hitting.

Quick, printable notes to celebrate specific successes with families. Four per page.

Check that it’s been used consistently for 4–6 weeks and that your data shows the pattern. If so, look at the next tier of support for this behavior.