RESPONSIBLE THINKING CLASSROOM (RTC)
The Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC)
Planning is the central activity in the RTC. When writing a plan, students reflect on their actions and the effects this had on others. They also identify what they are going to do when they return to the class.
The plan (scroll down to see an example) helps students set themselves achievable goals which they can strive toward. Their plan is discussed with the RTC teacher only when the orange form has been received. If the student's plan is acceptable they can then negotiate with their class teacher.
Students will return to class (after they have negotiated with the teacher) and presented a summary of their plan (see image below).
In some cases students will have a yellow 'plan reminder'. The plan reminder is used when the students would like to be reminded of their plan BEFORE the questions are asked.
If a student chooses to disrupt while in the RTC then they will need to go home until a re-entry interview can be arranged between the parent and the RTP Coordinator.
"The RTC is a place for students to go where they can sit, calm down, reflect on the choices they have been making, and, if they wish, learn how to make more responsible ones."
STUDENT PLAN:
Negotiations with the Teacher
In order for the student to re-enter the class, they must negotiate their plan with the classroom teacher.
This means that the student and teacher need to discuss the plan together, using Habit 5 - Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
Teachers will spend the time to talk about what happened from each others perspective - no one is right or wrong.
The purpose of the negotiation is for the student to explain how they will make better choices the next time an issue or problem arises.
Some teachers may not be able to negotiate with the student during class time. If this is the case the teacher will allocate another available time to negotiate with the student.
The student should do the majority of speaking during the negotiation, with only guided questioning from the Teacher. Together a mutual agreement is reached and the student re-enters the class.
PLAN SUMMARY:
"The ways in which problems are resolved in particular contexts depends on how those problems are understood."
Tim Carey