The rules in my classroom will be created with the students, so that they are able collaborate and understand the rules better. In addition, students are more likely to take ownership of their rules, if they feel they had a part in creating them. Rules will be clear, concise and positive. They are centered on ideas of respect for yourself and others, meaning students should practice kind words, listening bodies, quiet mouths and helping hands. Students will also sign their rules poster and it will be posted somewhere in the room to remind them throughout the year. The picture shown is an example of what the students will create.
Consequences
The consequence ladder, the most effective form of consequences, is a multi-tier program where students place their names on clips. There are 5 sections and each time the students break a rule they clip their name down. Each consequence progressively gets worse, until students are referred to the principal’s office. Since the students use clips, you are able to see how the students did throughout the day, and it allows you to track consequences. On a day to day basis, I am able to document where the students ranked in personal folders. These folders will be used for other things besides consequences but are manly for parents to observe students behavior and successes. Below is an example of the consequence ladder. Students will use clothes pins with their names on them and will be asked to clip up or down throughout the day.