Classroom Rules: Making our classroom a place of learning and respect!
At Spectrum Academy we have what we call the PRIDE rules. These rules are school wide and are the things we have found most important in creating a safe, fun, respectful learning environment.
P-Practice Listening Body (To have a listening body is to sit with hands/feet to yourself, flat in your chair or on the floor, and looking at the speaker.
R-Respect for all
I-I am accountable (We strongly emphasize students learning to be accountable for their actions and behavior)
D-Do it first request
E-Everybody safe
We strongly emphasize the PRIDE rules in Kindergarten, but also break down expected behavior into some simpler rules for Kindergartners. I call these my Star Rules, because they are the things you need to do to be a Star Student.
Hands-I will keep my hands to myself
Mouth-I will use and inside voice at school
Feet-I will walk in the halls and the classroom
Ears-I will listed and follow directions
Eyes-I keep my eyes on the speaker or on my work
Hearts- I will treat my friends with kindness
P-Practice Listening Body (To have a listening body is to sit with hands/feet to yourself, flat in your chair or on the floor, and looking at the speaker.
R-Respect for all
I-I am accountable (We strongly emphasize students learning to be accountable for their actions and behavior)
D-Do it first request
E-Everybody safe
We strongly emphasize the PRIDE rules in Kindergarten, but also break down expected behavior into some simpler rules for Kindergartners. I call these my Star Rules, because they are the things you need to do to be a Star Student.
Hands-I will keep my hands to myself
Mouth-I will use and inside voice at school
Feet-I will walk in the halls and the classroom
Ears-I will listed and follow directions
Eyes-I keep my eyes on the speaker or on my work
Hearts- I will treat my friends with kindness
Classroom Management
In my classroom we have a fun reward system for all students. Each student will have a Star Card that they can earn stamps on. When they land on a Star, they get a small treat or prize. When they fill up their whole card they get to pick a prize out of my larger prize box. I find that frequent positive reinforcement can greatly improve behavior. My motto is to "catch them being good". Anytime a student is following our rules and doing something that I like. I make sure to praise and reinforce that behavior. With most students praise and positive reinforcement goes a lot farther than pointing out the bad and giving consequences.
That being said, their are consequences in my classroom for not following the rules. School-wide we have a Green, Yellow, Red Behavior System. Each classroom has some sort of visual organizer so students can see what color they are on. Students on green are following the rules and working hard. Students move to yellow when they have been warned several times and have not changed their behavior. There may be a small consequence for moving to yellow ex. an apology note, missed recess time etc. Students move to red when a problem behavior continues even after warnings and moving to yellow, or they may move strait to red for a more major behavior (hitting, bad language, etc.). When a student is on red they lose privileges to fun activities that are happening in the classroom and recess and may have to write an apology note or do something to make it right.
The best part about our behavior system, in my opinion, is that students always have the opportunity to earn back to green and end the day on a high note. Kindergarteners make mistakes, the import thing is that they learn from them and become better at regulating their behavior and contributing to a positive learning environment.
That being said, their are consequences in my classroom for not following the rules. School-wide we have a Green, Yellow, Red Behavior System. Each classroom has some sort of visual organizer so students can see what color they are on. Students on green are following the rules and working hard. Students move to yellow when they have been warned several times and have not changed their behavior. There may be a small consequence for moving to yellow ex. an apology note, missed recess time etc. Students move to red when a problem behavior continues even after warnings and moving to yellow, or they may move strait to red for a more major behavior (hitting, bad language, etc.). When a student is on red they lose privileges to fun activities that are happening in the classroom and recess and may have to write an apology note or do something to make it right.
The best part about our behavior system, in my opinion, is that students always have the opportunity to earn back to green and end the day on a high note. Kindergarteners make mistakes, the import thing is that they learn from them and become better at regulating their behavior and contributing to a positive learning environment.