The PBIS World Book

Individual Work Space

Why should I do it:

  • Helps students with poor attention and focus
  • Students with behavior problems can be more easily managed
  • Increases attending behaviors
  • Improves work production and listening
  • Minimizes distractions

When should I do it:

  • When a student is off task, inattentive, or distractible
  • When a student is acting out, disruptive, off task, talking, exhibiting outbursts, etc
  • When students are off task, talking out of turn, making noises, drawing attention to themselves, etc
  • When students have trouble starting and maintaining work production

How do I do it:

  • If you have study carrels or dividers, you may use these to create a work space for a student
  • Consider moving the student’s desk near the teacher
  • Setting up books or strategically positioning the student near or around objects in the room can act as natural dividers, like tables, shelves, walls, etc.
  • You may set up a separate work space for a student in addition to their normal desk or seating location, for example at a table near the teacher
  • Students may do well with sound isolating earphones to block out sound in addition to an individual work space