Behavior Management

As a primary teacher, I am working daily to encourage children to make good choices and to take ownership of their actions. Here are the five rules we practice daily (with the actions):

Rule #1 - Follow directions quickly (move your hand/arm fast like a snake).

Rule #2 - Raise your hand for permission to speak (raise your hand and then make your hand move like a mouth).

Rule #3 - Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat (raise your hand and then make one finger “run” down the other arm).

Rule #4 - Make Smart Choices (point to your brain with one finger).

Rule #5 - Keep Your Dear Teacher Happy (frame your face and smile).

Logical Consequences

Take a Break - There is a calm spot in our room where students can elect to go and take a break/refocus using several sensory objects, timers, and breathing techniques. All of these will be explicitly modeled and taught to students. This is not a punishment and that will be communicated to the students. Sometimes we get overwhelmed and need a few minutes to recollect our thoughts and feelings. The child is not in trouble and this is a space to re-center and refocus when a student needs a few moments to regain self-control. This is a friendly, happy, and calm place in our room.

You Break It, You Fix It - This is used as an opportunity for a student to solve a problem he/ she caused. When something has been broken, feelings have been hurt, or a mess has been made - either accidentally or intentionally, the consequence is that the one responsible for the problem takes responsibility to fix it. For example, if a child says something mean to a friend, the child will be asked to tell that friend one thing he/she likes about the friend. If a student draws on a desk, the student will not miss recess - that does not teach the child anything about his/her actions. The student will be asked to clean his/her desk.

Loss of Privilege - This is used when a child does not follow rules or expectations that have been set and clearly explained. If a child uses scissors dangerously, the scissors will be taken away, rules will be reviewed, and the child will try again at a later time. What’s taken away must be directly related to the misbehavior. Every student will make mistakes as they learn. We say, “That’s cool” and correct it.

The core message sent by using logical consequences is that we believe all students are learners, and mistakes are just another thing we can learn from. Of course, I will be in contact when your child needs a few extra reminders of our rules and expectations so that you can also go over them at home.

Work Completion

Each week, your child will have many things to finish by Friday.

Some will be done together, as a class, while others are done independently.

I am working hard to teach time management, work completion, staying on task, and personal responsibility. Your child will have visual and verbal directions. Oftentimes, I model an assignment.

If class work is not completed that day, it will come home for homework and is expected to be returned the next day. Whatever work is not completed by Friday at 2:30pm will be done during Free Choice Friday. If work is not completed by the end of that time, it will be sent home over the weekend and is due on Monday

"Free Choice Friday" is a privilege that students strive to earn.