I read this post: 5 Common Mistakes that Will Lead to an Out-of-Control Classroom on Corkboard Connections. The first mistake was not having clear expectations and procedures. After discovering Whole Brain Teaching at the end of last year, I think I have that covered. Over the years, I have become a big believer in spending lots and lots of time at the beginning of the year practicing procedures. I use Daily 5 in my classroom and the 2 sisters emphasize that practicing procedures is very important. WBT also emphasizes practicing procedures so that the students KNOW what is expected of them - no excuses. WBT teachers practice the rules and procedures over and over again and not just at the beginning of the year but all year long. WBT teachers also make the practice FUN by timing the kids and having the kids practice in a variety of different ways.
Another post I read is: Why You Shouldn't Let Your Students Decide the Classroom Rules. I admit to doing this for many years. At the beginning of the year, I would take time and have the class create the rules for the year with my guidance, of course, and the kids would sign it. Then I posted it on the wall and I would promptly forget about it! My school became a PBIS school several years ago and so that was the basis for the classroom rules. Now, after learning about WBT, I started with implementing the 5 classroom rules: Rule #1: Follow directions quickly, Rule #2: Raise your hand for permission to speak, Rule #3: Raise your hand to leave your seat, Rule #4: Make smart choices, and Rule #5: Keep your dear teacher happy. I LOVE these rules and when I introduced these to my students with gestures - they loved them. We practiced them several times a day so, there is no excuse for not remembering the rules.
Check out whole brain teaching at: Whole Brain Teaching for more information on the 5 rules and lots of other information about all aspects of whole brain teaching! Best of all - it is FREE! I love free.
I would love to know what you do for classroom rules. Do you let your students help develop the classroom rules? Please share your comments.
Mrs Carlson, I'm totally remember the days of writing up rules and forgetting them! I know that's what used to happen in my room before WBT! My WBT class practice the 5 Rules each morning and then again during the day - not as punishment, but as a 'helping hand' from me. For example, in true WBT style, if someone calls out, I simply say "What's Rule 2?", the class reply and the lesson continues. When the rules are the central part of how the day is run, the day can just run! :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree. Last year, when I began WBT, my class practiced the rules several times a day and I used the scoreboard to help. Good luck with continuing on your WBT journey.
DeleteGreat job!
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