After reading our hopes and dreams to one another, we talked about what it will need to look, sound, and feel like in our classroom if we want to do all the things we dream of doing in first grade. As a class, we brainstormed a GIGANTIC list of rules we thought we needed. As a class, however, the students agreed that this list was TOO BIG and realized that most of the rules can fall under bigger categories - see picture on the right. I hope your child was able to share and talk about these rules on open house night.
Our class then reviewed what it looks like if we choose not to follow these rules. Many of us have practiced what it looks like to take a break to regain self control and be ready to learn. Today, we also reviewed what happens when students are unable to regain self-control in the break chair and are continuing to be disrespectful and not follow directions. Responsive Classroom refers to this procedure as "buddy teacher." In our classroom, if a student is not able to re-gain self control while taking a break within the classroom, the child will go with our "buddy teacher" (who comes to get the student) and take a break in their classroom.
Let me know if you have any specific questions regarding our school procedures.
