It is my belief that students learn best when they are in a well managed,
safe environment. 5th graders are expected to take initiative in their learning, complete assignments,
listen and follow directions, and get along with others.
With this in mind, we do not have “rules”. Instead we have “Rights and Responsibilities.” I have chosen them because they encompass all classroom behaviors and it makes it easier for students to remember.
Rights and Responsibilities:
1. The right to learn.
2. The right to be safe.
3. The responsibility to be honest.
4. The responsibility to be polite.
5. The responsibility to use time wisely.
I believe in using positive reinforcement when possible.
There will be a reward system in place to help students make the right choice
throughout the day. Each day students will begin on "Ready to
learn" if they continue to uphold their rights and responsibilities they will
stay on this level. Students who show exemplary behavior may be moved up to
"Outstanding" or "Role Model" level. Students who need a reminder about their
behavior will be instructed to move down a level to "Think About". If inappropriate behaviors continue they will be instructed to move their clip to "Teacher's Choice" level and will be given a consequence for their behavior.
Students will then sign up on our classroom poster to signal improvement in behavior is needed. Lastly, if behavior issues arise they will move down to "Contact Parent" level, where your child will write a letter home
explaining their behavior. Parents will need to sign and return this letter to school the following day. At this level students will lose their entire recess. Poor behavior may be made up by getting a MVP award for stellar behavior, upon
teacher’s discretion.
Touchdown/Passion Fridays:
Students who have finished all homework, classroom work, and have stayed on "Ready to Learn" will earn a touchdown. Touchdown Friday activities include extra gym time, computers, recess, special craft, games, movie, group projects etc…). Students who have not earned a touchdown will spend that time completing their
work, and/or writing a note home explaining their poor choices they made that week. This note must be signed by a parent and returned the next school day; otherwise they will lose their recess the following day (Monday).
On Friday I will randomly draw out two names. These students become our Team Captains for the
next week in school, so long as they have not signed up from receiving 3 behavior reminders in a given day.
Team Captain privileges include:
1. Being the line leaders.
2. Time on our cozy sectional
3. May bring in a motivational video/link to share with the class
Raffle
Students who move beyond the "Ready to Learn" level will earn a ticket. At the end of the
week I will draw a winner to receive a prize.
Time off recess
I believe students need time to be active and will only resort to this type of
punishment when nothing else works, or when a student needs time away from others to get
their behavior under control. I would never take away recess due to a child’s inability to complete an assignment; however if a student is capable of completing the assignment and had plenty of time, this will be used. Parents will be called if disruptive behavior becomes a pattern, or your child continually has missing assignments. I believe this behavior plan is an effective way to promote positive behavior and a learning
attitude.