What is it CKH?
A relationship building approach to discipline that creates self-managing groups.
How does it work?
Teachers use the EXCEL model to communicate with students. Students create their own rules via a social contract. Students hold each other accountable using "checks" and "fouls". An environment is created that emphasizes positivity though "good things" and "affirmations."
The EXCEL model:
The Social Contract:
The Social Contract is created by the students, assisted by the teacher, in effort to answer four questions regarding the environment of the classroom. The four questions include:
The resulting answers make up a list of adjectives which serve as the basis for student expectations of behavior in the classroom.
The Social Contract is signed by all classroom members including the teacher.
The document is also shown to classroom visitors and they are encouraged to sign the contract as well.
The document is a living document and is referred to on a regular basis to highlight success and serves as a guide for when problems arise.
The Four Behavior Questions:
These are questions that we ask each other to help stay true to the social contract:
1. What are you doing?
2. What are you supposed to be doing?
3. Are you doing that?
4. What are you going to do about that?
Checks and Fouls:
When a student is not following the social contract, other students will "check" that student. This is a silent reminder of a thumbs up to remind the student that they need to change their behavior.
When a student is being unkind, other students will "foul" that student. The student is then asked to give two "put ups" for the "put down" they gave.
Good Things:
At the beginning of classes teachers will start with "good things", in which students share something good that is going on with them. This creates an environment of positivity and helps build relationships.