Suggestions for Classroom Rules and Consequences

[TeacherMoo]

Hi everyone!

I am in my second year teaching second grade, and I really feel like last year I did not do a good job of creating classroom rules and consequences. I had my students help me create my classroom rules last year, but even though they helped to create them, I don't think it helped keep them accountable to each other or to me for their behavior.

This year I plan on using similar rules. I think that they're good rules, stated positively. I just have a hard time with stated negative and positive consequences for behavior. I want to use "bragging calls" for a positive consequence--the child and I will call home to let an adult know about the child's success in school. I think that "thank yous," specific praise about about what the child did, a high five or a pat on the back can do wonders for kids, but I want to be specific about things, too.

Do any of you have any good ideas for negative consequences? I feel like the only thing I have to bargain with in my classroom is taking away recess, and really, most kids don't care about taking that away.

I need help!

[teacher5]

Dear TeacherMoo: Keep the list of rules short, no more than 5. Continue to take student suggestions and turn the negative language into positive statements. (i.e. No calling out becomes raise your hand if you want to share your thoughts or give an answer and wait your turn to be recognized.) Take time, especially with the little ones, discussing why this rule and others are important to follow. Use some kind of point system or sticker incentive chart where all students' names are posted. Whenever a student gets "caught" doing something good, you or your aide or TA can go over and add points. Conversely, if there is inappropriate behavior, you can lose stickers or points, too. Points can be earned for acts of kindness, good work, following class and school rules, earning a compliment from another teacher or adult, neat work, cleaning up, etc. Tell the kids you are master of the chart and you and only you can order additions or subtractions on it. Every week students can cash in their points or stickers to "buy" something from your reward box. Discuss with them what are reasonable, affordable, and optional rewards. I have different kinds of candy with different point values. I also have stationery supplies: foil pencils, pencil toppers, pencil grips, little pads or notebooks, pencil sharpeners, and some teachers in my building use coupons for no HW or lunch with your teacher. Students can only use a certain number of points on buying day OR save their points (you must earn 500 pts.) for a pizza and ice cream party at the end of the year. I have fifth graders and I have a treasurer who adds and subtracts points for me. As far as consequences, besides losing points, having the student sit alone in a different part of the room, writing a note of apology and stating what they are going to do differently in the future (during recess), removal from the room to the hall or other location, but with adult supervision, and the phone call to mom or dad at home or at work with the student getting on the phone explaining why the call was made. Be sure you document date, time, & description of occurrence, before you make the call. Remember when you get on the phone, first find something positive to say. Try the old "I am calling because I know Johnny has great potential to succeed and I want to work with you to help correct this problem and get him on the right track." Before you get off the phone be sure you have a plan that all understand and is workable. Expect the parent to want a phone call back in a few days to make sure the plan is working. You really DO NOT want to go to the principal. Although he or she probably told you, you could come to them for assistance when hired; they really want to know they hired someone competent and confident to handle classroom management and curriculum. But if you have to go to the principal or think you might, get the word to him/her so it does not come as a shock. Also, be ready to show the steps you have taken - documentation. Most of all you must be CONSISTENT and perceived as being FAIR. Good luck! Keep us posted.