Rules
Creating an effective learning environment is an important part of being teacher. However, this can only be done if the classroom is safe. Disciplining is an aspect of a teacher’s job that is probably the most dreaded, but to achieve an effective learning environment, it is key. To be an effective disciplinarian, one must assess the situation and act accordingly. In most cases, I will implement the three strikes method:
I run my classroom in a manner that provides a safe and effective learning environment. To ensure this type of environment, I have rules in place. My three main rules are:
1. Show respect to ALL students, staff, and yourself.
2. Always use things for their intended purpose.
3. Always be prepared for class.
These are three simple rules that help to create the safe and effective learning environment I strive to achieve.
- The “first strike” is the warning stage. I will make eye contact with the student, say his/her name, or use my own proximity to the student to get him or her back on task.
- “Strike two” is the admonishment stage. During this stage, I will call out the student and make it known to them that what they are doing is not appropriate. I will ask them questions, such as: What are you doing and what should you be doing? I will also make it known to the student that if they continue to do what they are doing, there will be a consequence. An important thing to do if a student gets to this stage is to console them later, make sure everything is okay and offer to help, if needed, so the incident does not reoccur.
- The third and final strike is the consequence stage. In this stage, the consequence is situational and depends upon the action. A common consequence I will use is either a before school, after school, or lunch detention with me. I prefer to keep disciplinary actions contained in my classroom unless the action or school policy requires me to act otherwise.
I run my classroom in a manner that provides a safe and effective learning environment. To ensure this type of environment, I have rules in place. My three main rules are:
1. Show respect to ALL students, staff, and yourself.
2. Always use things for their intended purpose.
3. Always be prepared for class.
These are three simple rules that help to create the safe and effective learning environment I strive to achieve.
Norms
Classroom norms are the standard for what is expected of student behavior. Unlike rules, norms are expected behaviors.
To establish classroom norms, during the first week of school, I will have the students do a individual and then group activity. First I will give them a prompt stating, "Make a list one word characteristics used to describe successful people. (Minimum of five)" After giving them plenty of time to come up with their lists, they will form small groups and share their lists. Each small group's task is to consolidate alike terms and to form a master list. Once this task is completed, as a class, we will formulate a list of classroom norms for successful students. We will do this in the style of a classroom discussion.This final list will be posted in my class as a reminder of what it takes to be successful in my class and in the future.
As a follow up activity, once the final list has been posted, I will print off a individual list for each of the students. Under each norm will be space for the student to write down specifically what they are going to do to uphold the norm. For example, under prepared a student could write, "I will be prepared for class by bringing a pencil, my book, and my binder to every class period." This activity allows students to personalize each norm and recognize how each one applies to them individually.
My classroom norms will be upheld similarly to the above rules using a three strike principle. If a student gets to strike two, by not following the classroom norms, I will ask them to pull back out their norm sheet to see what they should be doing. Once a student reaches strike three, they will serve a detention with be before school or after school and fill out a form to correct the behavior. The My Action Plan Form requires the misbehaving student to answer the following questions: What's the problem? What's causing the problem? What plan will you use to solve the problem? This tool addresses the specific problem, while teaching the student responsibility, problem solving, and self-discipline (Wong, 2010, p. 158). During the detention, I will go over the student's action plan with them. In doing so, I will make sure that their plan is accurate and appropriate. After I approve their plan, I will let them know that I appreciate the maturity it took to create their action plan and that I am happy that I am their teacher.
To establish classroom norms, during the first week of school, I will have the students do a individual and then group activity. First I will give them a prompt stating, "Make a list one word characteristics used to describe successful people. (Minimum of five)" After giving them plenty of time to come up with their lists, they will form small groups and share their lists. Each small group's task is to consolidate alike terms and to form a master list. Once this task is completed, as a class, we will formulate a list of classroom norms for successful students. We will do this in the style of a classroom discussion.This final list will be posted in my class as a reminder of what it takes to be successful in my class and in the future.
As a follow up activity, once the final list has been posted, I will print off a individual list for each of the students. Under each norm will be space for the student to write down specifically what they are going to do to uphold the norm. For example, under prepared a student could write, "I will be prepared for class by bringing a pencil, my book, and my binder to every class period." This activity allows students to personalize each norm and recognize how each one applies to them individually.
My classroom norms will be upheld similarly to the above rules using a three strike principle. If a student gets to strike two, by not following the classroom norms, I will ask them to pull back out their norm sheet to see what they should be doing. Once a student reaches strike three, they will serve a detention with be before school or after school and fill out a form to correct the behavior. The My Action Plan Form requires the misbehaving student to answer the following questions: What's the problem? What's causing the problem? What plan will you use to solve the problem? This tool addresses the specific problem, while teaching the student responsibility, problem solving, and self-discipline (Wong, 2010, p. 158). During the detention, I will go over the student's action plan with them. In doing so, I will make sure that their plan is accurate and appropriate. After I approve their plan, I will let them know that I appreciate the maturity it took to create their action plan and that I am happy that I am their teacher.