Room 21 Expectations:
*Class Values - on the first day of school we discussed and created an agreement for our classroom; this is a list of behaviors/actions we will all strive to adhere to throughout our time together.
1. Keep hands and feet to self
2. Be safe and respectful with body, belongings, and classroom
3. Look at and listen to the teacher or classmate talking
4. Follow directions the first time
5. Use kind words and treat others the way you want to be treated
(We created these values together then signed our names to show
that we agree to try our best to follow them throughout the year.)
*Raise Responsibility - my goal is to have my classroom align with the Raise Responsibility classroom management approach. Our class is a small society where each student is a citizen who acts in accordance with expected standards of behavior. With this in mind, rewards are not given for expected behavior - just as society does not give rewards for behaving properly. Also, irresponsible behavior is seen as an opportunity for growth, rather than for punishment. This approach encourages students to exercise self-discipline through reflection and self-evaluation. Students learn to control their own behavior, rather than always relying on teachers for control. The goal is for my classroom to be encouraging and conducive to learning at all times. My hope is that through this, children will develop positive attitudes and behavioral skills that are necessary for successful lives. This article further explains the method for teaching and encouraging responsibility that is used in my classroom.
*Bucket Filling - in the very beginning of the school year and at many times throughout the year we will discuss Bucket Filling...what Bucket Filling is, what Bucket Dipping is, how to be someone who is a Bucket Filler, and how to be someone who is a Bucket Dipper. We strive to be Bucket Fillers in Room 10! Ask your child about Bucket Filling - we will have read various books as a whole class and had many meaningful discussions on the topic, I'm sure they'd be happy to share what they know! The book titles we have are: Fill a Bucket, How Full is Your Bucket?, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, Bucket Filling from A to Z, and Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life. Each book title has a link to Amazon if you would like to purchase them to use as a resource at home.
*Class Dojo - as described in my letter sent home over the summer, we will be using Class Dojo as a tool to aid with communication between school and home. Here is the link to sign up and download the free app so that you can connect with our classroom via any smart device! Be sure to follow the instructions in the letter sent home in your child's folder to sign up using the simple steps provided by Class Dojo! YouTube has quite a few tutorials explaining how to use the website and app should you need assistance.
*Restorative Practices - at Janvier we utilize restorative practices when dealing with inappropriate behaviors. When a child makes a bad choice they have a conversation with their teacher about this choice, they are assigned either a quiet recess or a reflective lunch, and they are also given a Think Sheet where they self-reflect on the behavior, why it happened, and how they can make a better choice next time. When a Think Sheet is given and completed it is sent home for the parent/guardian to review, sign, and return.