Class Rules

The children are aware of our rules from the very beginning of school.  Our #1 rule is "NEVER HURT ANYONE ON THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE".  If they follow that rule, the rest will fall into place.  Of course, we have other important rules, like "Listen to Mrs. Yourd the first time", "Raise your hand to speak" and "Always walk in the classroom". 

There are rewards for good behavior, both individually and as a group.  Individually children earn praise, certificates and stickers on their charts.  As a group they may be rewarded with extra playtime or a short video and lots of praise.  Each child will have a chart on the inside of his or her folder.  A sticker or stamp can be earned at the end of each day for good behavior.  (Stickers and stamps are also earned for homework.)  When a child reaches the star on the chart, they may pick a piece of candy from the candy basket.  When the chart is filled, a toy may be chosen from the prize box.  A new chart is then attached. 

I use a system of tracking and rewarding individual behavior using cubes.  At the beginning of each day, every child is given 3 cubes that hook together.  They are red, yellow and green.  If a rule is broken, the child must put the green cube back in the basket.  This is usually after a verbal warning or if the child has done something dangerous or destructive.  The yellow cube (caution) and the red (stop) remain as a visual reminder.  If at the end of the day, the child has a least one cube left, he or she will receive a sticker on the chart in his or her folder.  If all of the cubes have been lost, no sticker will be given for the day.  This may also warrant losing part of play time or a note being sent home.  I explain to the children that each day is a new day and the everyone always begins again with three cubes.  In late November or early December, we do go to 2 cubes instead of 3 after the children are settled in to the routine and know the rules and my style.