Using your relationship with a student to detect meaningful shifts in mood or behavior early. Note: for ELL students, extended quietness may reflect a normal silent period of language acquisition rather than withdrawal — check language context before escalating.
The thinking behind strong practice, and the cues that show it.
The scenario you saw
A student who is usually talkative and engaged has been very quiet and withdrawn for two days. No one has told you why. What do you do?
Before you read on — what would you do here? Picture your move, then see the thinking behind strong practice.
What strong practice looks like
Why this works
When a student acts very different from their usual self over time, that is useful information, and you are often the first one to notice it. The skill is catching it early and not overreacting — being there for the student instead of grilling them, and telling the teacher without raising an alarm you can't back up yet. Your relationship with the student is what lets you tell that something is 'off' in the first place.
Scope & safety
The 'silent period' — the normal stretch when a newcomer understands more English than they can say yet — does not explain this. That is a student who has not started speaking the new language; here you have a student who was talkative and suddenly stopped. A sharp change from a student's own usual self is worth telling the teacher about no matter what language they speak at home. You are noticing and passing it along, not deciding what is behind it.
Guides written for paraprofessionals. Ranked by para ratings, then by how directly each guide maps to this skill.
Wallet card · take this with you
When: A student has shifted from their usual self for more than a day or two.
Remember: You're often the first to notice. Early and proportionate beats both waiting and sounding the alarm.
Recall is where it sticks. A few quick scenarios.
Reading is useful, but recall is where it sticks. Three short scenarios, low-stakes, no scoring. About 3 minutes. You can stop any time.
Start the practice set →Short on time? Start with the first one.