Are you looking for strategies to teach students not to bring inappropriate items to school? If so, keep reading.

1. Praise the learner for demonstrating appropriate behavior: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

2. Talk with the learner to explain(a) what they are doing wrong (e.g., bringing unacceptable or illegal learning materials to school) and (b) what they must be doing (e.g., following an established code of conduct, following the rules, taking care of duties, etc.).

3. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Complete assignments quietly. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.

4. Praise those students in the classroom who demonstrate appropriate behavior.

5. Praise the learner for demonstrating appropriate behavior based on the duration of time they can be successful. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the duration of time required for reinforcement.

6. Take the learner away from the learning experience until they can demonstrate appropriate behavior and self-control.

7. Draft an agreement with the learner stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., not bringing alcohol to school) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

8. Connect with parents to disseminate information about the learner’s progress. The parents may reinforce the learner at home for not bringing unacceptable or illegal learning materials to school.

9. Urge the learner’s parents to be positive and compassionate with the learner as opposed to being negative and menacing.

10. Provide a drug information program for the individual learner, the class, or the learner body.

11. Give information on penalties for possession or use of alcohol and drugs at school.

12. Let the learner participate in extracurricular learning activities to help them create appropriate interests.

13. Identify individuals the learner may contact about their concerns (e.g., guidance counselor, school nurse, social worker, school psychologist, etc.).

14. Convey concerns to the administration and seek a referral to an agency for investigation of alcohol or drug abuse.

15. Urge the learner to become involved in athletic or extracurricular learning activities.

16. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

18. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.

19. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.

20. Consider using a socio-emotional learning app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

21. Consider using an emotional intelligence app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

22. Consider using a school counseling app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.