While looking for examples of teachers' classroom rules for today's editorial, encouraging teacher union reps and school officials to practice what they preach during negotiations, I came across a mother lode of classroom rules that kindergarten teachers share with parents and each other by posting them up on the Web.
Lots of them use the ABC format to organize their advice and I found especially useful these very nice ones from Mrs. Pohlmeyer and Mrs. Magee and Mr. Steve that would be helpful to any new teacher and really handy for parents. The Internet is a great tool so parents and teachers can share all these good strategies. Wish I'd had the benefit of all that experience when I was a young mother.
The classroom rules that I liked best would not only work for the negotiations but could last those children their whole lives through:
-- Use an indoor voice.
-- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
-- Follow directions first time given.
-- Treat self and others with kindness.
-- Always try your best!
-- We are good listeners.
-- We are helpers, not hurters.
-- We are builders, not breakers.
-- We are talkers, not shouters.
-- We are workers, not players.
Some also have consequences of the rules. Here are some samples I found::
Rewards:
-- Hugs
-- Parties
-- Smiles
-- Positive phone call/note
-- Snack
-- Tickets
-- Recess
-- Prizes
--Classroom Cheers
-- Certificates
One creative teacher does this:
In order to encourage students to follow these rules and make good
choices about their behavior, I like to praise the children for their efforts
in fun and creative ways. We have a "CHEER" box in our classroom. When a
student or the class has demonstrated appropriate behavior, they are invited
to choose a cheer from the box! They receive their praise in a special way.
For example, one cheer is called the "penguin clap" where we all flap our
arms like penguins. There are several other cheers, too numerous to
mention. (Although I am sure the children will start to share them with you
at home!)
Well, gosh, maybe that penguin clap would work for the negotiators? Ya think? Or maybe we should go down this list if they take too long:
Consequences:
-- An apology
-- Cleaning or repairing damaged property
-- Verbal warning
-- Phone call home
-- Time-out
-- Lose privileges
-- Parent notification
-- Walk laps at recess
-- Student may not check out a book
I loved school so much -- that last one would have worked for me every time. I couldn't have survived without my books.
The world would be a better place if Adults would use the kindergarden classroom rules.
We have hope with our kids to better our worlds society, so far it seems to go to hell in a hand basket:)
The only one I would disagree with is "we are workers, not players." Kindergarteners should be both workers AND players.
Adults, too, for that matter.
Isn't it a lot to ask of our politicians - to obey kindergarten rules? Probably!