Classroom norms are the rules that should be followed at all times when in the classroom. A successful and effective teacher focuses around these rules and establishing and teaching them the first two weeks of school. Promotes positive and nurturing relationships with students and peers.
From day one it'll be important to have a safe and relaxing, learning enviorment. I want my students to feel excited and comfortable to come into my classroom, which they will consider their "second home". Temperature, lighting and noise level will need to adjusted to the students liking. The arrangement of the desks will be key and I will have a monthly rotating seating chart. This will help student to be able to get along and work with every student in the classroom. Where the student is placed is non-negotbiable. They can not move their seat. For whole group discussions I would use circle time.
Establishing the rules will be key in the first few weeks. The movement they walk into
my door the first day I will be guiding and directing them where they need to go. I want them to rehearse from day one and get into the habit. By me reinforcing and giving verbal positive interactions after I see a student do something the way I want, other students will follow. For example, if I see Johnny putting his backpack where it belongs then sitting on the carpet for our morning meeting, as instructed on the first day. I will say, "I like how Johnny is following directions". This works typically everytime and everyone is going to want to hear their name being rewarded and liked by the teacher.
From our morning meeting I would be discussing the rules and procedures.
"Class meetings provide a safe environment in which students can discuss with you and each other topics that are important to them. You and your students can get to know each other better and build relationships through open discussions on subjects like: Following Rules, How to Get Help, Including Others at Recess, Solving Playground Problems, etc. This helps create a positive classroom climate built on trust and respect."-Committee for the Children
I would need to establish the signal I'll be using to get my students attention. I will let them know that under no-circumstane will a student talk after the bell has rung. I would clearly state directions,objectives,requirements and time limits. Mode behavior and attitude expected and address problems that arise the first week confidentially. The behavior chart will go into effect and will help me establish what is negotiable and non-negotiable in my classroom.
I will offer choice in assignments/methods of completing work for my students based on their needs. Giving feedback and encouragement will be very important to help these procedures lock into place.
At the end of each lesson and the end of the day will be a small reflection period for my students. This will enable me to make sure they have retention of information. One way during the first week for reflection I would ask them to write down the rules they remembered from the first day. This way I can see who is grasping them and who isn't. Behaviors will be reflected as well.
I have learned its important to establish typically up to 6 rules for the classroom. I would want to have my students give some input on the first day. I will also keep in mind they could change through out the year. Some rules will be non-negiotable. Meaning, logical consequences will apply and in my classroom if a rule is broken then the child will be moved down on the behavior chart.
My Classroom Rules
1. Be ready to learn. (can be negotiated)
2. Be Responsible & Respectable.
3. Do not get up out of your seat, unless you are asked permission to.
4. Raise your hand to speak. (semi-negitoable--in the begging students may still need to get into the habit of this. So I can be more lenient in the first week)
- raising your hand to speak can help factor out many things like, asking for bathroom permission and pencil sharpening. I will create hand signals for bathroom permission.
5. Come to class prepared with my supply box and hw.
- Supply boxes--meaning fully sharpened pencils ready to go. This will take away from student in the middle of lessons all asking to sharpen a pencil. If its rehearsed in the first week and examples are shown then there shouldn't be issues down the road.
My classroom rules will need to be consistent with the school rules as well and it'll be important I follow through with everything. However some thing will be non-negotiable. For example, if a child is bullying another student. They will be removed from the situation immediately and parents called.
Other non-negotiable situations will be:
-If a student tries to change their assigned seat. The consequence will be they loose a smiley face.
-Disrespecting another student. Things like verbally abusing, hitting, etc.
-HW not turned in you will loose behavior points but can be negotiated if there is a note from a parent or the student is sick.
-Typically the first weeks rules will need to a little negotiable until the students can fully comply.
If I am consistent then the students will follow through. "Classroom procedures should form the framework for the climate of the room to be conducive to students and teachers working together cooperatively." (effectiveteaching.com) If students are going to buy into the system, they must be a part of the process. Students are much more likely to follow a rule if the rationale has been explained to them. This is why explaining the non-negotiable rules are important. Below is a example of how I will express the rules. Broken down into the way I will be teaching lessons. So students know during whole group discussion they are to remain in their seats. They need to raise their hand whether its to speak or to get up to sharpen a pencil.
In my classroom it's important to establish these rules but also make everything meaningful and relevant to real world events. Students can learn from each other and grow in a sense, its not always just going to be from the teacher.
Resources
1. Article retrieved from http://www.cfchildren.org/advocacy/about-us/e-newsletter/articletype/articleview/articleid/7934/key-factors-in-creating-a-positive-classroom-climate.aspx
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