Resources
Twenty operational definitions for common classroom behaviors. We wrote these to be broad enough for a range of cases. Use one as written, or adapt it to the student, setting, and purpose of the observation.
Speaking to the teacher or the group without being called on, during a time when students are expected to raise a hand or wait for a turn. Includes blurting out an answer, commenting during instruction, or interrupting another speaker. Excludes responses during choral responding or open discussion when the teacher has invited the class to answer.
Beginning to follow an adult direction within 10 seconds and carrying it out to completion. Includes following individual directions and directions given to the whole class.
Leaving the assigned area without permission, beginning when the whole body crosses the boundary, such as the classroom doorway or the edge of a marked work space. Includes leaving the classroom, leaving an assigned area within the room, or running from supervising adults.
Crying, dropping to or lying on the floor, or screaming or yelling above normal conversational volume for 3 or more consecutive seconds.
Using profanity, slurs, sexually explicit comments, or other vulgar language loud enough for others to hear. Includes language directed at a person, task, or situation, as well as crude jokes.
Failure to begin following an adult direction within 10 seconds or to continue the requested action through completion. Includes saying no or continuing another activity. Excludes complaints or remarks made while the student carries out the direction.
Engagement with anything other than the assigned task or activity for 3 or more consecutive seconds. Includes looking away from the task or teacher, talking with peers off-topic, playing with materials unrelated to the task, or putting the head down on the desk. Excludes actions the assigned task or activity requires, such as gathering materials, sharpening a pencil, or asking a permitted question about the work.
Actively or passively taking part in the ongoing classroom activity, such as writing, reading, listening to the teacher, looking at the task materials, answering a question, or raising a hand. Brief glances away or pauses lasting less than 3 seconds are part of continued participation.
Out of the seat or seated position without permission during seated work. Includes standing, kneeling on the chair, moving the chair away, or wandering. Excludes movement the teacher directed or the activity requires, such as coming to the teacher's desk or handing out materials.
Attempted or completed forceful contact with another person's body, or forceful action against objects or property, whether or not injury or damage results. Includes hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, scratching, pulling hair, spitting at someone, throwing objects, or striking or overturning furniture. Excludes accidental contact, contact that is part of a game or sport, and ordinary handling of materials.
Attempted or completed forceful contact with another person's body, whether or not injury results. Includes hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, scratching, pulling hair, spitting at someone, or throwing an object at someone. Excludes accidental contact and contact that is part of a game or sport, such as tag or a PE activity.
A friendly or cooperative back-and-forth exchange with a peer in which each responds to the other. Includes sharing materials, taking turns talking, cooperating on a task, offering help, or reciprocal play. Excludes exchanges that include hitting, grabbing, or threatening or insulting words.
Damaging or destroying materials, objects, or property. Includes tearing paper, breaking pencils or other objects, writing on or defacing property, or throwing or overturning furniture in a way that damages it.
Forceful action against objects or property, whether or not damage results. Includes throwing objects, kicking or striking furniture or walls, sweeping materials off a surface, or overturning chairs or desks. Excludes accidental contact and ordinary handling of materials.
Forceful hitting, biting, scratching, or other contact directed at the student's own body that could cause redness, bruising, or tissue damage, whether or not a mark results. Includes banging the head against a surface, hitting oneself with a hand or an object, biting or scratching the skin, pulling out hair, or picking at skin. Excludes light touches or strokes, such as tapping fingers against the leg or twirling hair.
Repetitive body movements, object movements, or vocalizations that recur in the same or nearly the same form two or more times in succession and are not part of the ongoing activity or interaction. Includes hand-flapping, rocking the body, spinning or lining up objects, pacing a repeated path, echolalia, or repeating words and phrases (scripting).
Threatening, insulting, or demeaning words directed at another person. Includes threats of harm, name-calling, put-downs, or profanity aimed at that person. Excludes profanity and rude remarks not aimed at anyone.
A spoken objection to a direction, task, or decision, directed at an adult. Includes saying "no" or "I don't want to," arguing, complaining about the task, or bargaining to delay or avoid it. A protest can occur while the student carries out the direction and does not require the task to stop.
Making sounds audible to others when the sound is not permitted or is unrelated to the ongoing activity. Includes humming, singing, whistling, yelling, noises or sound effects, or talking to a peer.
After assigned work is presented, turning away from it, engaging in another activity instead, or verbally declining to begin or continue.
Sightline turns these definitions into live event, interval, and duration recording, then helps you write up the analysis. Local-first, on your own machine.