Tuesday, September 14, 2010
My first question is do you believe we need an essential X number of rules in our building, or do you think that this is something that we would individualize at the classroom level, or both? Should there be a short list of "rules" or expectations that are clearly defined at the building level? If so, please throw out a few that you think would be good for discussion. I really think of them more from the perpextive of "this is just how we do things here - because It's the Wildcat Way." What I am personally going for with this "Wildcat Way" thing is a way that we can generalize it as much as possible so that I don't need to be giving examples on the announcements, but so that it is engrained in who we are and what we are about. We are tryingg to raise respectful, responsible young people. We want to teach kids that in order to be successful in life, you have to work hard, and that choosing to not be successful, and therefore choosing not to work hard, is not something that anyone in our culture is going to accept. But we have to drink the coolaid too. IF we say that it is important to work hard, we have to model it and expect it, and push kids to achieve more than they ever believed in themselves/of themselves was possible, and then when they achieve it, we celebrate like crazy, but we tell, them, "See, I knew you could!" so that they begin to believe it too.
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I definitly think we should have X amount of common "rules" which at 5th grade we starting calling expectations this year. The school has to have a set of expecatations that students and staff follow or the Wildcat Way does not work. Everyone has to buy in and when everyone does then we truly have an Excellant school. 5th Grade has 10 expectations this year that we took and modeled from Ron Clarks Ess. 55. We are already amazed at what we have seen from this but it takes alot of work from each of us to keep it up.
ReplyDeleteI agree with having X amount of common "rules" for our school. The challenge is creating a culture that every staff member buys into and feels a part of (& that includes new hires in the coming years). I was aghast to hear that some of our new hires didn't even know we had a school wide discipline policy, and obviously don't utilize it in their classroom. We need to speak a common language from grade K through 5 and build upon the expectations from year to year. I believe Canter recommended having 5 expectations; that way everyone can remember them. They also need to be positively stated.
ReplyDeleteI have always went with the belief of 5 rules but after thinking about Ron Clark and his 55 we decided that at 5th grade or as you move on in grades you can certainly add to the "rules" because some are going to be the same ones that students have heard since kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Dave's question..."do you believe we need an essential X number of rules in our building, or do you think that this is something that we would individualize at the classroom level, or both?" I think that we need to have schoolwide rules, instead of individualized class to class. This is an issue I see all over the building. "Well, I'm allowed to have (electronics, Pokemon cards, silly bands, etc) in Mrs....'s Class" The children can't be sure of what is expected of them if the rules change from room to room, grade to grade, classroom to cafeteria. Kids need consistency....we need to give it to them.
ReplyDeleteI believe we do need to have rules specific to the building, but each classroom must also have their own specific rules. It is also important for grade levels to establish specific rules for common areas such as the playground and cafeteria. The reason I think classroom's must have their own rules is that teachers will be hesitant to enforce/or not enforce rules within their own classroom that they don't value.
ReplyDeleteI believe we need to have some school wide rules. Then the entire staff - office, cafeteria etc. all of us can enforce these rules and we are all on the same page. We are a family and if we all work together it will be amazing what the end product will be.
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ReplyDeleteIn response to Dave's question, I do think that we should have a set of school rules, but I also think that we should get together in teams and have grade level team rules that are appropriate for each grade level. I really agree with what Erica said about children needing consistency. At school, it is our job to give them consistency. I love the "Wildcat Way" phrase because every student in the whole building is coming to an understanding of what that means. This phrase is one of the most consistent and effective phrases I have ever witnessed in school. I came into the school year a couple of weeks late this year, but I was amazed when I came back to school and saw the pride that students have for the "wildcat way!" I think it is awesome to walk down the hallway and see all teachers using it, and watching the kids respond to it!
ReplyDeleteI do believe that some expectations need to be by grade level and some by building. I, too, have enjoyed the Wildcat Way this year. In fact, I have shared the idea and Ron Clark's book with a couple people in other districts. We are an excellent school and an excellent set of people - adults and students- whether a state report card tells us that or not. We have been expecting kids to behave and be good citizens for years now and have found a great tool to help us model and show them how to do that. They are not coming from "Wildcat Way" homes in a lot of cases and I think it must be up to us to show them what that means. So, yes, we need building expectations that are the same year to year and place to place, but I also agree with the team philosophy we have begun this year in 5th grade. It is consistent. The kids understand it and the few who have made light or made fun of it have straightened up and gotten on board!
ReplyDeleteI agree there should be a short list of common rules for the building and that grade level teams should have expectations that are appropriate for their students as well. The students need consistency and constant modeling. They need to hear "That IS the Wildcat Way!" as many, if not more times than they hear "That is NOT the Wildcat Way!" I also had to smile when I read Dave's comment about "drinking the Koolaid." I have used that saying for years when talking about getting my students to behave in my room. I can talk and talk about good behavior or students who have had behavior problems in the past, but in the end, I have to model appropriate behavior and praise the students who are doing what I want them to do (especially students who have had problems in the past). I have to hold them to HIGH EXPECTATIONS inside and outside of my classroom. I have to do this all the time, every time, even when it would be easier to let it go or let someone else deal with it. It will pay off in the end for the classroom teacher and for the students. Students will begin to realize that they do not have to follow the crowd. They won't practice good behavior for stickers, candy, silly bands or extra recess. They will have high expectations for themselves and others, because in their hearts, they'll know it's the right thing to do...
ReplyDeleteI realized that I posted my answer in the wrong place...I have answered this in the main page...sorry.
ReplyDeleteI think we definately need to have a set of school rules that everyone in the school would use so we all could be on the same page. I have my students make their own classroom rules. I ask them to think about ways to stay happy and safe and learn a lot in our room and then they come up with the rules to accomplish that. They then sign the list of rules which shows ownership and that they will abide by the rules that they developed. If someone breaks the rules, I often refer back to the original list of rules that THEY set for the classroom. They do a very good job coming up with their own set of rules. I would like to continue to do that with my own classroom.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Dave's question, I agree that rules building wide as well as individualized by classroon are appropriate. The "Wildcat Way" has been a wonderful thing this year. I can't count the times I have asked students, "Is that the Wildcat Way?" They know exactly what I am talking about and answer truthfully. One thing that jumped out at me while reading the Essential 55 is the consistency he uses in implementing rules. If one is not consistent while enforcing rules, the rule means nothing.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there should be a few building wide rules, then add grade specific rules as age/need deem appropriate. A good example is our new kickball field. When 1st and 4th grade were outside together, the 4th graders were allowed to go to the field and the 1st graders were not. The students were told this and accepted it. No confusion. I agree with Debbie B. in that consistency is key.
ReplyDeleteI agree we should have a set of building wide rules but feel it is important that all everyone is on board and there needs to be consistency among all staff. I really feel the "Wildcat Way" has established a positive atmosphere in our school and I find myself talking about it often. It focuses
ReplyDeleteon the positive way we want kids to behave.
Well, in agreement with several of you I also feel we need school wide rules and classroom rules. Touching on Erica and Kelly’s comments about consistency - this is HUGE. As a teacher who works with everyone consistency is key. In addition to that, Dave, you stated you did not want to necessary need to provide examples of the “wildcat way” on the announcements each morning. I think we all need to remember that we need reminders too, and we are working with kids. They need reminders – positive reminders more frequently than we might.
ReplyDeleteI agree with having a set of essential rules the students and staff can model and reinforce. I also believe students should be part of the rule making process within the classroom. This gives them ownership and a sense of connection. The "Wildcat Way" has been a tremendous part of my classroom and students are able to make a quick connection when they hear, "Is that the Wildcat Way?" or "Great job showing everyone the Wildcat Way!" The pledge and the phrase gives students high expectations and I see them rising to meet them. Without listing rules, and just by saying the "Wildcat Way," gives students an internal list of rules that they can follow on a daily basis. Promoting the "Wildcat Way" in conjunction with Second Step, our classroom community has been one of caring and encouragement. My own kids are even use the "Wildcat Way" at home when they are trying to solve problems.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Dave's question, I do believe that their should be the same rules like 5 or 6 for all students in our building, but then I believe that each grade level should have their own set and they should build upon for each year. So as they move from Kindergarten to 5th they will have the 5 or 6 that are the same for all and then the 4 from each grade level. By the time a student is through the elementary they may also have 55 rules to know.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Dave's question, I also agree that we should have some building-wide rules posted, along with specific grade level/individual class rules. I usually have my students create our classroom rules, which I feel builds that sense of ownership. For example, if the class is interrupting others who are speaking, I remind them of the rule they created about being a good listener and not interrupting. Promoting the "Wildcat Way" has also been very powerful this year. I think it is really helping to promote the feeling of community in our school. It sets high expectations and I see students holding each other accountable for their actions.
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