Charter

The Classroom Charter

At the beginning of the school year, each class creates a unique Classroom Charter as an expression of values and norms unique to the class, intended to make all feel safe, welcome, and heard.

Instead of typical classroom rules that are teacher-directed, the Charter is an agreement that is based in feelings. We start with the question ‘How do we want to feel at school?’ then, ‘How will we make sure to feel these feelings?’ and finally, ‘What will we do when there is conflict or unwanted feelings?’”

Each class works together to build their own Charter which is then signed by all students and teachers, who share equal ownership in its values. Since the Charter is created completely by the students, and rooted in their feelings, they feel bound to it in an authentic way.

Source: The Center for Early Education and Yale Ruler