Design Question 6: What Will I Do to Establish or Maintain Classroom Rules & Procedures?
Module 17: Establishing and Maintaining Rules and Procedures (pgs. 211-223)
We are all aware how important establishing rules, routines, and procedures are at the beginning of the school year.
*Discuss the importance of maintaining those rules, routines, and procedures throughout the year, and how does this chapter by Marzano connect to our district's expectations of the use of CHAMPS?
*Does anyone use class meetings and how does that look in your academic setting?
Establishing Rules & Procedures (For your reading enjoyment; click this link for something I found on another blog that I am following regarding this topic).
I know it seems that it takes forever to interact with our students on procedures and rules. However, if we take the time at the beginning of the year we will have a year full of learning instead of a year full of frustrations. Setting the CHAMPS expectations at the beginning of the year will make each procedure, lesson, routine go smoothly the rest of the year. I think Marzano and CHAMPS work hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteStudents need and want clear rules and procedures. I set clear and high expectations for students and myself. I describe and model rules and procedures using humor on occasion. On the first day, I get their attention by coming into the classroom, greeting the teacher, hanging up my backpack, turning in work, just basically being a real "Pollyanna" for morning procedures. Then...I come in the incorrect way. I throw my backpack on the floor, slam my body down into a student desk, yell out that I don't have my work done, etc. Basically I do EVERYTHING wrong. Students are usually roaring with laughter at the incorrect version by the time I'm done. Then, I start teaching my procedures and why we have them.
ReplyDeleteI usually reread Wong's book for beginning the school year every year. I doubt I'll be doing that this year due to the Marzano book. The rules in Figure 17.1 are ones I think most teachers have. I don't like to have lots of rules. I do consistently enforce the rules I do have, and also do periodic reviews. I've not really ever let students come up with class rules. I feel I know what is best and safe for them. They know who is in charge.
I LOVE this, Val! Can I come to your classroom the first day of school at 8:55?
DeleteI looked at the site Kim posted and I actually use the PowerPoint idea for the first day/week. I have a tendency to forget something and then when I got frustrated that they weren't following the proper procedure, I would remember that we didn't discuss it. I follow the PowerPoint and do activities through out it. That is my first day and week.
ReplyDeleteWe introduce and review, review, and review all the procedures. I take the time to go over CHAMPS for EVERYTHING in the beginning of the year and taper off as they own the procedure. If we need it, I'll revisit them and we will do a review of procedures until they once again show ownership. I used to use a flip chart, but this year I've made posters and smaller versions and "travel buddies" for when we're out of the classroom. I think procedures set the class climate. If they know the expectations and how to meet those expectations, I find my class runs smoothly and more learning can take place.
I don't have a lot of rules, but I usually wrap up everything necessary with the STARS Rules. Those hit all the right points and they are simple and the students know them. They become really my only rules in the room.
We hold class meetings when we need to discuss behavior that is not fitting of my 4th graders. I've set it up as a safe place and we have procedures for how it works. I put out to the class the issue(s) that we are having and they get the chance to own up to their own behaviors and contributions to the problem. Then we talk about solutions and how we are going to work together to make it better. If it comes to the point where its one student's actions that are taking the class down, then I move them along to solutions and have a private talk with that one student. I was pleasantly surprised how adult like my kiddos are when we have these meetings. I think its because we've set it up as a serious thing and they treat it as such.
Amy-can you tell me how to get to the power point you mentioned? I didn't see it on the site...I'd like to pass it on to my brother. Thanks!
DeleteAlso, Amy, I really like your idea of "travel buddies" you've made for CHAMPS. That's a great idea!
DeleteI used class meetings when I taught first grade. We would talk about what it means to respect others, be kind, examples, etc. If we needed to talk about something serious going on in the classroom (like bullying), we'd have a special meeting. I enjoyed these times with students and felt they were helpful.
ReplyDeleteSetting up clear procedures and rules is so important for the first of the year. Reviewing them and being consistent is key to helping the classroom run smoothly. It's been a good reminder for me-helping my brother, Jeff get started-he's been thinking through rules, procedures. There is so much to think about when you're first getting started! I'm thankful that now there are great resources available (like Pinterest) that weren't available to me years ago when I started out. Marzano and CHAMPS are definitely important books to read and digest, too.