Posted: September 28th, 2016

The Importance of Taking a Strength-Based Perspective

Think of a student who regularly does not comply with your requests. In the section below, complete the template based on your readings from “The Importance of Taking a Strength-Based Perspective.” Numbers 1-18 should have a minimum of 2 sources. And in APA format, with a minimum of 50 words per number. (So, 1-2 would be 100 minimum and so on.)
Focus on what the student can do.
1. Strength Focus
2. Flaw Focus
Look for and give credit for evidence of progress. Don’t minimize or discount the positive. Focus on what the student can do.
3. Strength Focus
4. Flaw Focus
Make realistic appraisals.
5. Strength Focus
6. Flaw Focus
Avoid the use of overgeneralization.
7. Strength Focus
8. Flaw Focus
Positively reframe behavior.
9. Strength Focus
10. Flaw Focus
Look for the “silver lining” in a student’s behavior and start there.
11. Strength Focus
12. Flaw Focus
Work with the factors that you can control.
13. Strength Focus
14. Flaw Focus
Look at the whole picture. It is as important to focus on factors that are present when the misbehavior does not occur as when it does.
15. Strength Focus
16. Flaw Focus
Be aware of the labels that you use and the projections that you make.
17. Strength Focus
18. Flaw Focus
19. Although the article “Stages of Behavior” refers to students who are oppositional defiant and probably in a special behavioral program, the concepts are similar to other students you have in your classes who may not have a label but exhibit the behaviors. After reading the article, reflect on its appropriateness to a situation you have encountered with a student.
20. After reading “The Control Game: Exploring Oppositional Behavior”. Choose three strategies that you feel can help you deal with a student who displays noncompliance or oppositional behavior and summarize how you will effectively use them.
Sources for questions:
Hewitt, Mary Beth. (2005). The Importance of Taking a Strength-Based Perspective.Reclaiming Children and Youth, 14(1), 23-26.
Hewitt, Mary Beth. (1999). The control game: Exploring oppositional behavior. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 8(1), 30.

Use for number 19:
Hewitt, Mary Beth. Behavioral Stages. Retrieved November 9, 2010 from www.wflboces.org/files/341/Behavioral%20Stages%20-%20OK.doc