At the base of the discipline plan I use the idea that the purpose of discipline is not to control children and make them mind, but to teach them to make responsible decisions, thus empowering them.

Children will receive positive feedback for making good choices about their behavior, while receiving guidance when making inappropriate choices.

 

Class Rules:

In order to teach these skills, I will communicate to my students that in every situation there is a range of choices.  These choices all have consequences.  I will be guiding the children to develop their problem-solving skills and increase their responsibility for decision- making.  The goal is to have students thinking before acting in difficult situations.  They should think, “I have a problem.  What’s my plan?”

I have included the breakdown under each rule to give you specific behaviors I expect in my classroom.

1.      Be Respectful       

·        Have a positive attitude

·        Show effort

·        Cooperate with others

·        Keep hands to yourself

·        Speak politely

·        Listen to others

·        Show self-control

·        Take care of your property and other’s property

2.      Be Responsible

·        Complete work

·        Follow directions

·        Stay on task

·        Be organized

3.      Be Prepared

·        Be on time

·        Bring take home folder to school and put it in basket

·        Sign in

·        Complete and turn in homework

·        Sharpen pencils before school

4.      Be safe

·        Walk in the school

·        Follow playground rules

 

The first few days of school will be spent establishing these expectations through stories, role-playing and other activities that will give the children opportunities to participate in discovering the importance of the rules.  Behaviors will be communicated to you in the take home folder.  Please look over the behavior sheet daily and initial it. Praise appropriate behavior and encourage improvement for inappropriate behavior.

 

“Stars to Success” Behavior Chart:

The children will each have a behavior sheet that they will keep in their B.E.A.R. folder (see attached sheet for an example).  The children will start off each day with 4 keys (one for each “Be Attitude”).  During the day if your child is not making appropriate behavior choices, then your child will pull a key from his chart.  At the earliest possible time, I will discuss with your child why they had to pull a key and what a more appropriate choice would be.  The behavior sheet will come home each day in your child’s B.E.A.R. folder.  Below is how their behavior for the day will be determined.

4 stars = sticker

                        3 stars= Good Day J

                        2 stars= Try Harder ü

     1 star= Rough Day K

                   0 stars= L

If your child did not receive all 4 keys for a particular day, I will record which behavior your child chose that warranted a key being pulled.  You are responsible for initialing in the appropriate spot and your child is responsible for returning the behavior sheet the next school day.  If your child does not return his/her behavior sheet the following school day, he will not receive a sticker for rule #3- being prepared- the following school day. 

 

            Consequences for not following the school rules:

1.      Verbal warnings- up to 3

2.      10 minute Time-out

3.      30 minute out of class Time-out

4.      Phone call home

5.      In-Class separation for 1 day

6.      ISS- days to be determined

7.      Conference with parent(s) and student

 

Rewards:

Each week students will have a chance to visit the class treasure box if they have earned 3 or 4 stickers for each week.  In addition to the weekly rewards, a special reward will be given to those who earn all their stickers for an entire month!

 

Special Points

The class as a whole will also have an opportunity to earn “special points” throughout each day.  We will have a goal of 20 points to earn each nine weeks.  “Special points” can be earned through appropriate behavior when traveling through the halls, at special area classes, and when visitors are in our classroom.  When a point is earned we will add it to our classroom graph.  After we have reached our goal, the children will be able to vote on what special treat they would like to have.  Special treats may include:  lunch with a friend, time with the class pets, popcorn party, prizes from the treasure box, etc. 

 

I appreciate you taking the time to read and familiarize yourself with this plan. I view helping children develop positive behavior skills as a very important part of my job.  I love watching how our classroom becomes an environment of not only learning, but also a loving and respectful family.  I look forward to having your child as a member of my 2007-2008 classroom family.