Incorporating choice: empowering teachers and families to support students in varied learning contexts

Figures & data

Figure 1. Behavior-specific praise implementation resources.

Note. Resources listed above are free and are provided by the Ci3T Research Team. ¹Available to download at ci3t.org/pl. ²Available to download at ci3t.org/covid. ^aResources are also available in Spanish. ³Available through the IRISCENTER. Module name: Addressing Challenging Behaviors (Part 2, Elementary): Behavioral Strategies. Available at https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/bi2-elem/cresource/q1/p02/#content

Table 1. Instructional Choice: Implementation Checklist.

Step	In-Person Education	Virtual Education	Home Settings
1	Determine which type of choices you would feel comfortable offering to students in your classroom and create a menu of choices.	Determine which types of choices you would feel comfortable offering in the virtual classroom and create a menu of choices.	Determine what types of choices you would feel comfortable offering to your child during various settings or activities throughout the day and create a menu of choices.
2	Use the menu to determine which type of choices to add to a particular lesson.	Use the menu to determine which type of choices to add to a particular virtual lesson.	Use the menu to select the choices to offer each day.
3	After choice is built into the lesson, offer the established choices.	After choice is built into the virtual lesson, offer the established choices.	After you have made your “choice menu,” offer these choices to your child during the identified setting or activity.
4	Ask the student to make his or her choice.	Ask the student to make their choice.	Ask your child to make their choice.
5	Provide wait time for the student to select their choice.	Provide wait time for the student to select their choice.	Provide wait time for your child to select their choice.
6	Listen to (or observe) the student’s response.	Listen to or observe the student’s selection.	Listen to (or observe) your child’s response.
7	Prompt the student to make a choice from one of the available options if the student has not made a choice within the time allotted.	Prompt the student to make a choice from the available options if they have not made a choice within the time allotted.	Remind your child to make a choice from one of the available options if they have not made a choice within the time you gave them.
8	Reinforce the student’s choice, providing them with the option they selected.	Reinforce the student’s choice and provide them with the option they selected.	Praise whatever choice your child makes and provide them with the option they chose.
9	Offer students an opportunity to give feedback on the choice they selected.	Offer students an opportunity to give feedback on the choice they selected.	Offer your child a chance to give feedback on the choice they made.

Sources. Lane, K. L., Menzies, H. M, Ennis, R. P., & Oakes, W. P. (2015). Supporting behavior for school success: A step-by-step guide to key strategies. Guilford Press.

Lane, K. S., Austin, K. S., Pérez-Clark, P., Allen, G. E., Oakes, W. P., Lane, K. L., & Menzies, H. M. (2020, August). Instructional choice: A step-by-step guide for virtual learning environments. Ci3T Strategic Leadership Team. www.ci3t.org

Lane, K. L., Oakes, W. P., & Allen, G. E. (2020, March). Using choice at home: A step-by-step guide for families. Ci3T Strategic Leadership Team. www.ci3t.org

Table 2. A Sample Instructional Choice Menu: In-Person Learning Environments.

Math Lesson
Across Task Choices	Within Task Choices
Start the math block by playing an educational game on the computer and finish by completing a worksheet	Write worksheet with: Pen Pencil Gel Pen
Start the math block by completing a worksheet and finish by playing an educational game on the computer	Choose one of three worksheets to complete during this block: Worksheet 1 Worksheet 2 Worksheet 3

Table 3. A Sample Instructional Choice Menu: Remote Learning Environments.

Westward Expansion Capstone
Across Task Choices	Within Task Choices
Design a children’s book about a pioneer and share it with your kindergarten reading buddy	Virtual picture book Slide show
Rewrite the end of the class book or continue the story with details about the lives of pioneers	Illustrate using Google Draw and caption your ending Make a video of ending Write a play for your ending
Create a diary from the perspective of one of the characters in the class book, keeping in mind what they may have seen, done, & felt	Type your diary Illustrate and caption your diary
Create your own pioneer starter pack – select up to 10 items you would take for your journey out west	Design your starter pack using a virtual poster Design your starter pack using a slide show Present to the class over video chat, with a video, or submit a written explanation

Table 4. Using Choice at Home: A Sample Choice Menu.

Morning Routines
Within Task	Across Task
Choose between three cereals for breakfast	Decide the order for activities: brush hair, brush teeth, get dressed, and eat breakfast
Choose between two outfits to wear to school	Pick a chore to help the family: feed the dog, put cereal bowls in the dishwasher, or pack lunch boxes
Choose between three snacks to pack for afternoon snack time