At my school we do ITI, so the entire school has the same set of classroom rules. The "rules" are called lifelong guidelines. They are:
Lifelong Guidelines
Be Trustworthy
Be Truthful
Do Your Personal Best
Show Active Listening
No Put-Downs
If you think about it, almost every situation that comes up falls under one of these guidelines. I didn't like the idea when I first moved to this school, but I truly love it and have had the least number of discipline problems ever.
Mine are listed here - with the consequences:
(where there is a blank, it's supposed to be a smiley face, then straight face, then frowny face - I have to draw those in).
(On the first day, i have the students tell me what they mean--explain. so they, basically, give the rules...i do have a few that i lead them to creating, or help them create if they miss...ie: keep hands and feet to self; positive words only; clean up after yourself; do your best on work....)
1. Be respectful to everyone at all times.
2. Keep hands, feet, and all other objects to yourself.
3. Raise your hand to speak.
4. Be prepared.
5. Arrive on time.
I know that #5 seems a little tough (since it is their parents responsibility to get them to school on time - I teach 4th grade), but that rule is for those that hang out in the cafeteria or in the halls in the morning socializing too long.
I have known a teacher that uses one rule and finds it extremely effective:
Discipline yourself so I don't have to.
She discusses what it means with her students on the first day and has never had any problems. I might try that this year.
I found that by third grade, the students generally "knew" the rules that are expected throughout the entire school. Well-behaved students followed them and poor-behaved students ignored them. Like you, I decided to change mine a few years ago. I did some research and the result is a combination of things that I read along the way. Here's what I have been using every since and found to be very effective.
Rules Our basic classroom rules are:
➢Follow directions first time given. (This is the "biggie"!)
➢Be part of the solution, not the problem.
➢Think for yourself. Honorable Character This is a classroom management system I have been using for two years now. I really love this program because it focuses on the child's gifts and positive behaviors rather than the negative. There are 14 identified Honorable Characters. Honor (Romans 12:10) Obedience (Ephesians 6:1) Diligence (Colossians 3:23) Wisdom (James 3:13) Kindness (Ephesians 4:32) Self-Control (James 1:19) Orderliness (I Corinthians 14:40) Service (Galatians 5:13) Attentiveness (Proverbs 1:5) Cooperation (Philippians 2:4) Initiative (James 1:22) Honesty (Proverbs 12:22) Forgiveness (I Thessalonian 5:15) and Responsibility (Romans 14:12)
They have adapted this system to work in public school too, that do not have the scripture references listed.
If you are interested ,you can read more about this system by going to www.honorablecharacter.com
1. Listen to and obey your teacher.
2. Treat everyone with respect and kindness.
3. Work in a way so that you will not disturb others.
4. Ask for permission before you leave the classroom.
5. Wait until you have permission to talk.
6. Walk calmly and quietly while you are in the school building.
I like this idea, and I was wondering how you went about holding students accountable for their actions in the classroom. Are there consequences associated with this method? Did you discuss the meaning behind each of these guidelines and set up consequences that way? If so, what were your consequences.
Hi Louise! I don't have much bulletin board space left in my room. However, I made large posters-one with Students' Rights and the other with Students' Responsibilities. (They look like old-fashioned scrolls.) Then, I made banners with my slogans. All of these are hung on the cement block wall above my front chalkboard. (I keep them up all year, every year.) I refer to them as often as needed-particularly when I am "redirecting" a particular behavior. I have had a lot of success with it! I've also had positive feedback from parents, as they like the idea of encouraging their children to be responsible citizens.
I just picked up the book Setting Limits in the Classroom and thought it had some good ideas. The basic rules for a classroom are:
cooperate with teacher and classmates
respect rights and property of others
carry out your student responsiblities
I know these are general, but a nice discussion would reinforce what each meant. The author also suggests things like giving logical consequences, limited choices, and time-outs appopriate for 5th graders. I origially was going to use the check system as described in Harry Wongs book, but I might try this first. It allows you to address any inappropriate behavior and gives the student the opportunity to learn the rules and procedures.
I have been trying to convince myself that it's ok to NOT do an incentive system. I really believe in spending lots of time building a positive, cooperative environment and kids tend to take well to this. Your rights and responsibilities (jkb) list really encapsules it all...even the citizenship lesson. Thanks for sharing...this will be the opening discussion in my 4th gr classroom this year. You mention slogans in the description of your display...what do you mean? Thanks again!
I don't know if you are still looking at this post, but I thought I would add my 2 cents.
Rules are directions that define expected behaviors; the standards that control behaviors in class. A routine (or procedure as I call it) is a particular course of action intended to achieve a result, a particular way of accomplishing an objective. Then we have policies to go with this too: Policy: A written principle or rule to guide decision-making.
SO: when a student is not following set procedures such as raising his or her hand to speak has broken a rule to follow the correct procedure. Then the teacher follows the policy for consequences.
1. Follow directions quickly.
2. Raise your hand when you want to speak or go somewhere.
3. Listen while others are talking.
4. Make smart choices.
5. Let your teacher teach!
I have been reading a book called "Teaching with Love and Logic" by Jim Fay and David Funk. They suggested a rule that is "the only rule you will ever need". It states: "You can do anything you want in this class, provided it doesn't cause a problem for anyone else". I find it to be a great rule because of how general and overarching it is.
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07-28-2006, 01:34 PM
) but it made me think. Thoughts?
