"A child's self-image is planted in the cradle, grows with experience, and blossoms with approval and support." -Smalley Trent

My goal is to help students develop a sense of responsibility for their own learning, behavior and choices. To help me reach this goal, I have gone to great lengths to make our room a comfortable and enjoyable place that will facilitate a safe, secure feeling and ensure academic success. If students are actively involved in learning, there will be fewer discipline problems.

In order for learning to take place, children must be respectful and good listeners. To ensure that each child is actively engaged in learning, achieving academic success, engaging in positive behavior, and making good choices, I will:

*help students develop a personal relationship with God and share the faith values of the Catholiic Church.

*discover their unique learning styles in which they learn best.

*build upon their strengths.

*help them to discover new interests.

*utilize rewards and consequences.

The purpose of discipline should be to develop self-control and personal commitment to rules and values. Respect, fairness, responsibility, compassion, cooperation, and honesty are the basis of our relationships with God, each other as adults and students.

REWARDS:

This year I have 20 students. Their desks are arranged in groups of 5. Each group will have the opportunity to earn points. They will receive points by being good listeners, using appropriate voice level, following directions, raising their hands, participating cooperatively, working hard, completing class work and homework on time, and helping and encouraging others. The group with the most points at the end of the day will receive a certificate called "The Fabulous Five," and the privilege of having a good behavior /teamwork cone sit on their desks the next day.

I will also have a point sytem for the whole class to work toward earning free time. When the ckass earns 150 points, they will receive free recess time outside or inside, a popcorn party, a game, or a short movie party. The class can earn points by using appropriate voice level, making good use of time, working hard, completing class work and homework on time, walking quietly in the halls, receiving positive comments from staff, good behavior while with specialists, doing their best work, cooperating and following directions.

OTHER REWARDS INCLUDE: verbal praise, smiles, hugs, applause, high fives, handshakes, pats on the back, special jobs and responsibilities, happy notes, and classroom treats.

CONSEQUENCES:

First time: I will remind the student what the rules are and ask him/her to stop.

Second time: I will write his/her name on the board.

Third time: Lose 5 minutes of recess.

Fourth time: Lose 10 minutes of recess.

Fifth time: Lose 15 minutes of recess.

OTHER MEANS OF SOLVING A BEHAVIOR PROBLEM:

*A student may have to leave the group and sit somewhere else.

*I may call or e-mail home and may have a student create a fix-it plan.

*A misbehavior slip may be sent/mailed home as our principal explained.

*A student may have an eye-to-eye with another person following the Conflict Resolution Recipe.

I feel/think_________________

when/because_______________

I want/would like____________

*If it is a bullying issue, we will follow the bullying rubric of the school.

The class will talk about rules and why we have them. I read books and we brainstorm ways in how we can be respctful, fair, responsible, compassionate, honest and cooperative with one another. We will discuss behaviors that are "above the line" (good behaviors) and behaviors that are "below the line" (bad behaviors). Each student will sign a "Pledge of Respect" in our classroom. It states: "I am smart, special, and valuable person. I respect myself and I respect others. My words and actions are kind and honest. I accept only my best in all that I do."

Again, my goal is to have the students be accountable for their own actions, develop responsibility for their own learning, and the choices they make. Everyone of us is a wondrous kind of art, signed by the hand of God, so I know that we will have a fantastic year filled with wonderful memories to last a lifetime.