Classroom Management

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The policies and procedures that have been put in place in our classroom were all created with one thing in mind - learning.  In order for learning to take place, it is necessary that all students are following the rules and practicing the procedures that have been taught since the first day of school.

Our behavior policy is based on a color system that rewards children for making good choices and disciplines those making not so good choices.  All children begin on green, which stands for "ready to learn."  Making good choices can move them up to teal meaning “good day” then to blue meaning "great day" or even further to purple which labels their day as "outstanding." Breaking a rule will move a child down to yellow, which is their one and only warning and we instruct them to slow down.  Another infraction results to orange where the child will be moved to the reflection chair to think about his/her actions.  Red is the very bottom of the chart, which will result in contacting a parent and possibly being sent home.  The Academy of Hope practices a ZERO TOLERANCE policy when it comes to behavior.

Walking in the hallways is another important procedure that we practice every day.  The students should be walking in a single file line down the right side of the hall.  They should have their hands behind their back and a "bubble" in their mouth.  The "bubble" (puffing out the cheeks) is a tactic that prevents one from talking.

We have many classroom incentives for following the rules and making good choices.  If a student ends their day on purple they can choose an incentive card that they can redeem on a day of their choice such as, learning with their shoes off, switching seats with a classmate, bringing something for show & tell, etc.    

The children also sit at a table with three to four other classmates.  As we transition between activities each tables knows what is expected of them as a group.  They must clean up quickly and quietly and be sitting in "star" position as they wait for the next instruction.  "Star" position is sitting on their bottom, straight up with arms flat on the table and hands clasped together as though they're making a star.  Groups can also get points by showing good teamwork and working quietly together during activities and lessons.  The first table to reach 10 points receives an incentive card of their choice.

Our classroom also has what we refer to as a "compliment chain."  The class receives links to a chain for walking through the halls as expected and behaving appropriately anywhere on school grounds.  When other teachers or staff members give them a compliment they receive a link to the chain.  When they have received 20 links they will be able to choose between an ice cream party or a pizza party.