Rules+and+Behavior+Management

=** Classroom Management is ALL about classroom procedures! **=

===** [|"In an effective classroom students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how." - Harry Wong] **===


 * Before this year started, I had attempted to prepare myself mentally by reading Harry Wong's "The First Days of School". This book was not "real" to be and was not justified, until I stepped foot into both of the classrooms. His strategies made more sense to me, day by day. The kids need solid procedures and expectations laid before them, at the beginning, in order to manage a successful classroom setting. Through my placement and through the labs that we had the opportunity to run, I have realized that a structured environment is the key to success. **

======
 * First Grade - The Infamous Card System **

First Grade Rules (Examples) :

 * Red Card - Talking out of turn
 * Yellow Card - Not respecting property of teacher or friends
 * Purple Card - Not finishing work on time

These cards are recorded on the child's behavior chart at the end of every day. This way, the parents are aware of the behavior each and every day.

Discipline:
 * 1) First Warning - Prior to pulling card
 * 2) First Card Pulled - Recorded at the end of the day and recess time is reduced, multiplied by the amount of cards that are pulled
 * 3) Routine Pulls - After multiple offenses and a pattern has started, the child will have his or her parents contacted and will be sent to the office for any serious offenses.

= Now we can't forget the POSITIVE SIDE! =

On the other hand, the classroom is also full of positive behavior and this HAS to be pointed out as well (reinforcement). Ways to acknowledge this behavior could include charts that kids fill in for acts of kindness or respect, or POSITIVE office referrals. I believe that for every negative referral that we write up, we should feel out five positive entries. The negative will happen here, but positivity thrives in sufficient behavior management.