Journal Entry #4- Classroom Rules

The rules in my current classroom are:

· Treat others the way you want to be treated

· Be responsible

· Respect others property

· Be a team player and a good sport

· Be safe

These were arrived at through a number of whole group collaborations. As a class they met and discussed what they feel is important. Unfortunately I was not there for most of the creation of the rules and cannot accurately say they were decided on. I can speculate that there was a brainstorming session or two that generated the ideas used to create the rules. After these ideas were generated they would need to be refined and stated in the positive. It is important for rules to be stated in the positive because it is more beneficial in creating a positive community environment in the classroom.

The rules are posted on the wall near the door; they are not a focal point of the classroom but are easily referenced. Everyone is aware of the rules because they were all part of their creation. They are taught through discussion and examples. Students are also aware of what happens when they do not follow the rules. There is a three step system within the classroom students are given verbal piece that correlate with colored cards on the wall. First there is a reminder that correlates with the green card, a warning with yellow and then when the behaviors do not change the card goes to red and the students needs to complete a success plan. Success plans are used as a school wide intervention used to understand where behaviors come from and what can be done to help change them.