In my classroom there will only be ONE rule: Do not hit me or one another.
I will encourage my students to respect one another in terms of their speech towards one another and in giving one another space. I will have a Calming Corner in the room that can be utilized as a tool for the students to self regulate for a short amount of time and then, return to class. This area is not an area to be used as an excuse to miss instruction or classwork. Students will be given at least 5 minutes (or more if necessary and legitimate) and then, will be expected to return to the class. I have found that having a section of the room for students to take time to regulate helps tremendously with arguments and negative attitudes before anything ever escalates to anything physical. We all have tough days and sometimes we just need to step away! Please know that if anything physical does ever take place, I will contact administration and I will also contact parents/guardians to communicate about the incident.
That is it for rules, BUT I will have several procedures and expectations in place to ensure students are safe and that we have a happy, healthy classroom environment!
Classroom Behavior Plan
In our classroom we will be using "STAR Bucks" to encourage positive behavior! No, not Starbucks the coffee shop, but paper money and coins that students can collect by displaying STAR behavior throughout each day and by completing their class job daily. At the end of every month, I will make time for students to "purchase" prizes/treats of various cost from the class store OR they can save up their money. Each student will begin the school year with $20 to keep in "their account" and get started. At the beginning of every month, the students will pay "rent" for their desk, cubby, and shared classroom supplies. "Rent" is $10 a month. If a student does not have enough to pay rent at the beginning f the month then, they can receive a loan from a classmate, but will be expected to pay off the loan befor making end of the month purchases. This concept is to teach students about real-world experiences, respect, resposibility, accountability, and to assist in solidifying their basic mathematical skills!
One occasion where students might be "fined":
If they forget to bring their Chromebook/Charger and they need to borrow from a friend or use the class Chromebook/Charger.
We all forget things! This is not in place to make a student feel bad for forgetting, they won't be asked to "pay" more than $2. This is in place to help students become more and more responsible for their belongings. Again, the goal is to cultivate world-class learners and taking responsibility is a key component! (See further below for an explanation of STAR behavior).
I will not "fine" students for non-STAR behavior, they will just not receive any STAR Bucks in that moment. When negative behaviors arise, I will have a private conversation with the student to discuss their behavior. Minor behaviors will be handled in the classroom. If the behavior continues and is not stopping/improving, students will owe recess time where they will sit out and be asked to fill out a reflection sheet on their behavior and, if appropriate, write an apology. A CDR could be given in this situation. For major behaviors administration may be contacted.
(See the consequences section below, under school wide expectations, for more information)
School Wide Expectations
Our school is a PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) school. All of our rules and procedures follow the PBIS guidelines and align under our school’s three main expectations:
S tay Safe
T ake Responsibility
A nd
R espect Everyone
Acknowledgements
ALL Star Cards are placed in boxes for Friday drawings. Selected students will go immediately to the Bell Tower for a “Shout Out Cheer” and a Star Pencil.
Students may “cash in” their Star Cards to their classroom teachers for any of the following incentives:
10 Star Cards = Choose One of the Following
Special Seat in the Class
Choose a Book for the Teacher to Read
Choose Any Class Job for a Week
Sit Next to the Teacher at Lunch
Write with a Special Pen or Marker
Choose Music for the Class
Do 1/2 an Assignment
Extra Computer Time
Free Choice Time
No Homework Pass
20 Star Cards = Lunch with a Friend
30 Star Cards = Extra Recess with Another Class
40 Star Cards = Extra Related Arts with Another Class
50 Star Cards = Choice of a Pizza Lunch, School T-shirt, or Gift Certificate to the School Store
Consequences
We discourage inappropriate behavior in our school and classrooms. The following guidelines will be followed for discouraging inappropriate behaviors:
● If a student does not follow one of our school or classroom expectations, he/she will receive a verbal warning and will be re-taught the desired behavior.
● If the inappropriate behavior continues, the student will receive a Classroom Discipline Report (CDR). All CDRs will be written by the teacher in the classroom and sent home to the parent. The consequences for a CDR may be (list some possibilities here. Examples may be silent lunch, 5 minutes of structured recess, removal from the group).
● Three minor referrals that occur over the course of a month or one severe offense will result in a office referral. All office referrals will be sent to the office to be seen by a principal and consequences will be administered by the principal.