Class-Wide Function-related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) is a classroom management program that helps to address problem behaviors that main function are to get teacher attention, peer attention, or escape. When students do not respond to the main CW-FIT program, there are also targeted strategies that can be used, such as help cards.
Components of CW-FIT
Students must be explicitly taught the expected behaviors. This teaching is typically done through direct instruction, and should include:
- Defining the expectation
- Modeling
- Role Play
- Feedback
- Practice
The expectation should be taught and practiced over a series of days, typically 3-5. This repetition and engagement with the expectation allows for the students to better learn and understand it.
How does it work?
In a CW-FIT classroom, students are divided into teams. These teams usually consist of 3-6 students, and are typically divided according to rows or groups of desks, depending on how the room is set up. At the beginning of the day, a daily goal is set for how many points each team should get. Teams are awarded points by the teacher whenever every member of a team is exhibiting appropriate behavior after a certain amount of time. For example, in my classroom I could set a goal for teams to get 10 points by the end of class. Every 3 minutes, I would check the teams to see which ones have every member displaying the expected behaviors. Each team that is displaying the expected behaviors would get a point. At the end of the class hour I would look at the total points and whichever team got the total points would receive a reward. This reward can include things such as stickers, 5 minutes of a class game, free time, etc. In my classroom, I would typically use the reward of 5 minutes of free time at the end of the day or 5 minutes of a class game.
Why CW-FIT?
I like CW-FIT in the middle school setting for many reasons. The middle school structure by nature is very team-oriented with students being divided into teams within their grade level. This means that students would already be familiar with the team concept and be comfortable with the format. CW-FIT is also a great intervention in my opinion because for it to work, the expectations must be explicitly taught and rehearsed. I believe that this is important because teachers often assume that students know what they expect of them when it comes to behaving correctly. With CW-FIT, I will know for sure that students know my expectations because they are extensively taught and practiced. Finally, CW-FIT is a very positivity oriented intervention program. Teachers are supposed to give praise to the teams that are following expectations and simply not acknowledge the teams who are not. This means that positive attention is the only attention being given, which is important for building a positive, safe classroom.
Miss Wieberg 