2A: Creating an Environment for Respect and Rapport, 2C: Managing Classroom Procedures. Here I have the posters for the school's five agreements. As I stated in my classroom management philosophy, these are the rules that govern not only the classroom, but the school as a whole. Every classroom has a copy of these posted in a place where everyone is able to see them. In my case, these are posted on the side of a cabinet in the front of the room that faces the students. Every morning we remind the students of the agreements. If we feel that some students are in need of a reminder, we come together as a classroom community and discuss what these agreements mean and what it looks like and sounds like to be following these agreements.
2A: Creating an Environment for Respect and Rapport, 2D: Managing Student Behavior This is a tool that my lead teacher employs in her classroom, which she calls a "kindness meter." The marker, which is the yellow owl in this case, is attached to a paper clip which is suspended onto a string that extends from one side of the room to another. Starting from one end of the room, the owl moves about an inch along the string each time a student performs an act of kindness for the teacher or a fellow student. Once the marker reaches the opposite end, the class has earned a "kindness party," in which the class votes on what to do during the free period that they earned, whether it is play with electronics, watch a movie with treats, or whatever ideas that the students come up with. We present the kids with an incentive, but this is also a useful tool for teaching young students about how to show kindness to others and it encourages the kids to perform acts of kindness throughout the year. It stands as a reminder to be kind to others.
2D: Managing Student Behaviors This was a list of callbacks that one of the 2nd Grade teachers at Van Buren gave me. When the teacher is looking to get the class to pay attention, the teacher gives one of the following statements while the students, in unison, give the corresponding callback. The one I have used often is number 13: Flat Tire. I find that this is a good management strategy in that you do not have to raise your voice to get the class's attention, and even if the whole class does not say it the first time, you can repeat these callbacks again so that the class becomes aware that you as the teacher are waiting and ready to give further instruction.