Students with low-frustration tolerance or lack of confidence may balk when asked to complete challenging academic tasks assigned as independent seatwork.
Type: Student Strategy
Procedure:
A strategy to increase the probability that a
student will attempt a challenging academic task is to precede that task with a
short series of brief, easy academic tasks. (For example, a student may do
three easy problems on a math worksheet before encountering a challenge
problem.) The student builds 'behavioral momentum' in completing the easy items
and is thus 'primed' to attempt the challenge item that might otherwise derail
them.
Teachers using this strategy should, of course, first ensure that the
student has the actual skills to complete any target challenge tasks.
Generally, a ratio of three to four easy items interspersed between each
challenge items can be quite effective.
Source: http://www.interventioncentral.org/tools/behavior-intervention-planner
Research Citations: Kern, L. & Clemens, N. H. (2007). Antecedent
strategies to promote appropriate classroom behavior. Psychology in the
Schools, 44, 65-75.