How I Teach Social Skills with the “A 5 Is Against the Law” Framework
One of the most important things I’ve learned as a special education teacher is this: behavior is communication.
Every single behavior—whether it’s calling out in class, refusing to work, or even acting out aggressively—serves a purpose. Sometimes it’s an attempt to gain attention.
Sometimes it’s about avoiding a task that feels too hard. And other times, it’s about sensory needs or expressing emotions that students don’t yet have the language for.
This perspective comes from principles in Behavior Analysis, which remind us that all behavior has a function. Students might be seeking attention, escaping a demand, getting access to something they want, or regulating their sensory or emotional needs.
When we look at behavior through that lens, it stops being “just misbehavior” and instead becomes valuable information about what a student is trying to tell us.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy.
As teachers, we’re constantly juggling academic goals, lesson pacing, IEP requirements, and the emotional well-being of every student in the room.
When challenging behavior happens, it can throw off our instruction, leave us feeling drained, and make us question whether we’re doing enough. I’ve been there—wanting to respond with patience and empathy, but also feeling the pressure of “I have 20 other students and a curriculum to teach.”
This is exactly why I needed a tool that made expectations clear, consistent, and easy for students to understand, while also helping me approach behavior in a structured, compassionate way.
That’s when I started using A 5 Is Against the Law by Kari Dunn Buron.
The book introduces a simple 5-point behavior scale that helps students recognize and categorize behaviors—from calm, expected choices to actions that are unsafe or even illegal. Instead of relying only on teacher correction, students gain a visual language to understand their own behavior and reflect on their choices.
And because I wanted more engaging, ready-to-use activities, I created a massive bundle of lessons and supports—over 250 pages!—that go right along with the book. Let me walk you through why this framework works and how it has helped both me and my students in the classroom.
Why the 5-Point Scale Works
The brilliance of the scale is its simplicity. Students instantly “get it.”
1–2: Calm, expected, friendly behaviors
3: Not the best choice, but not dangerous
4–5: Unsafe, disruptive, or even illegal actions
I’ve found that it helps take the emotion out of behavior conversations. Instead of me saying, “That was bad behavior,” I can say:
👉 “That was a Level 3. What’s a Level 2 choice you could try instead?”
It shifts the conversation from shame to problem-solving.
And here’s the best part: kids actually start using the language themselves. I’ve had students tell me, “Miss, I was at a 4 yesterday, but today I feel like a 2.” That’s the kind of self-awareness we want them to build.
What’s Inside the Bundle (and How I Use It)
Here’s a closer look at what’s included and some of the ways I use these activities in class:
🖼 Anchor Charts & Posters
I keep a large poster of the 5-point scale up in my classroom at all times. Students reference it constantly. When something happens, they can literally walk over, point to the number they think fits, and reflect. It reduces the need for me to lecture and helps them own the process.
✍️ Reflection Sheets
These are my go-to for processing after an incident. Students can quickly jot down:
What happened
What level it was
What they could do differently next time
It’s not about punishment—it’s about reflection. And honestly, some of the things my students have written down have blown me away. They do understand their choices; they just need structured ways to think about them.
🎭 Role-Play Scenarios
This is where things get fun. I pass out scenario cards with situations like:
“You keep tapping your pencil loudly during a test.”
“You use a silly voice when the teacher is giving directions.”
“You make a rude comment to another student in the lunch line.”
We act them out as a class, then pause to ask: “What level is this?” The conversations that come out of this are SO powerful.
💬 Journal Pages & Discussion Prompts
These are perfect for advisory time, morning meetings, or even a quick five-minute filler. Use as daily reflection or in a one-time lesson! Questions like:
“How would you feel if someone made fun of you in class?”
“What’s a Level 2 way to handle being frustrated?”
They’re short but spark meaningful conversations.
💻 Google Slides Version
This has been huge for differentiation. Students who need extra support can use text-to-speech, spelling tools, or translations. I’ve even had kids who are too shy to share out loud type their responses privately, which has led to some of the most thoughtful reflections.
Why Teachers Love It
Teachers who’ve used this resource say it saves them a ton of prep time and gives them tools that actually work. Here are a few of the biggest benefits:
✔️ Supports IEP goals for behavior and social-emotional skills
✔️ Works across grade levels (I’ve used it with both middle and high schoolers)
✔️ Easy to adapt for individual students, small groups, or the whole class
✔️ Print and digital options make it flexible for any classroom setup
✔️ Clear visuals help reduce anxiety and give students structure
And maybe most importantly—it’s engaging. The activities aren’t just “worksheets.” They spark real conversations that students remember.
How It Fits Into Real Classrooms
Here’s a quick example of how I’ve used it:
A student in my class kept making silly noises during transitions. At first, it seemed harmless, but it was starting to escalate and distract others. Instead of sending him out or giving a consequence right away, we pulled out a reflection sheet.
He rated himself at a Level 3. Then we talked: “What would a Level 2 choice look like instead?” His answer: waiting quietly, maybe doodling in his notebook while he waited.
That simple conversation was enough for him to “get it.” And because he came up with the solution himself, it stuck.
Quick Teacher Tip
If you’re brand new to the 5-point scale, my advice is to start small. Don’t try to roll out everything at once.
✅ Week 1: Introduce the poster and scale. Use it in conversations.
✅ Week 2: Add reflection sheets after incidents.
✅ Week 3: Try role-play cards or discussion prompts for practice.
Once students are comfortable, you can layer in more activities for deeper learning.
Ready to Try It?
If you’re looking for a way to make social expectations clear, structured, and practical, this bundle will make your life so much easier.
👉 Grab the full “A 5 Is Against the Law” Bundle here. Inside you’ll find:
Over 250 pages of ready-to-use activities
Posters, reflection sheets, role-play scenarios, and more
Print and Google Slides versions for maximum flexibility
It’s one of my most popular resources for a reason—it works across grade levels, supports IEP goals, and gives students the tools they need to reflect and grow.
✨ Don’t forget to pin this for later so you’ll have it ready when you need it in your classroom!
