Classroom Expectations

Classroom Expectations:   

 1.    Be kind to others.

2.    Raise your hand.

3.    Use your inside voice.

4.    Follow your teachers' directions.

5.    Stay in your seat and push in your chairs.

6.    Walk never run.     

This year we will again use the Responsive Classroom approach.  This consists of a set of practices that build on academic and social-emotional skills.  This is an evidence-based education approach that is associated with greater teacher effectiveness, higher student achievement, and improved school climate.  

My goals for responding to a child's misbehavior are as follows:

-To stop the rule-breaking behavior

-To maintain a safe and orderly classroom

-To help students recognize and fix their mistakes

-To help students develop internal control of their behavior

-To preserve the dignity of the child and the group

A wide variety of strategies will be used to respond to misbehavior, including visual and verbal cues, increased teacher proximity, reminding and redirecting language and logical consequences.  Our class will also use a time-out spot that we will refer to as our "Think Spot."  Students who are beginning to go off track with their behavior will be asked to go sit in this spot for a few minutes until they are ready to return.  This spot is not a punishment and the goal is that students will reflect on their choices and return to the group ready to work!  Keep in mind that everyone, even adults, sometimes just need to get away for a moment.  If the "think spot" does not calm the child, or help fix the behavior, then another approach may be warranted.