Discipline Policy
In order to guarantee your child and all the children in our classroom the learning environment they deserve, our class utilizes the following discipline plan. As you know, good behavior and learning go hand in hand. Simple class rules have been established to ensure your child has a positive and safe learning environment.
Even at the age of five, children need to learn the importance of accepting responsibility for their actions. All children are expected to follow classroom rules and procedures, and we will help them learn to do so in a positive, fair, and equitable manner. Good discipline allows us to teach, and students to learn. This is the right of every student.
OUR CLASS RULES:
1. Listen when your teacher is talking.
2. Follow directions quickly.
3. Raise your hand to speak.
4. Be safe, be kind, be honest.
5. Make smart choices!
Each rule has a gesture that goes along with it to help us learn and remember it. I’m sure you will be hearing and seeing these soon!!
We use a colored “clip chart” to monitor our behavior and classroom choices. Your child will have a clip (clothespin) that they will physically move up or down the chart, depending on their choices. Please keep in mind that your child may not move every single day! In order to move up, students must go above and beyond in their
behavior choices. The chart below explains how the clip chart works.
PINK- OUTSTANDING!
Students who reach this level will be rewarded for their positive choices by receiving a special trip to our classroom treasure box.
PURPLE- Great Job!
Students who continue to make positive choices move up to the purple level. They are one step closer to having outstanding classroom behavior!
BLUE- Good Job!
Students who continue to make positive choices move up to the blue level. They are one step closer to having outstanding classroom behavior!
Green- Ready to Learn!
Everyone starts the day “Ready to Learn”! Students can “clip up” or “clip down” throughout the day depending on their behavior choices.
YELLOW- Slow Down!
Students who receive a warning will move to yellow. This serves as a reminder to students to think about the choices they make.
ORANGE- Think About It!
Students, who continue to make poor choices, will move to orange. This will result in a consequence that is appropriate for the choice that was made. Different choices require different consequences. Children are different so consequences will vary depending on the child and the choices made. (loss of privilege, loss of recess time, etc…)
Students who repeatedly move to orange will require parental contact by me. Parents will be contacted via telephone, email or agenda note depending on the severity of the behavior choice.
I have found this system to be very successful in Kindergarten, and with all the modeling and practice we do at the beginning of the year, most students are able to be very successful with their behavior. Of course, if there is a continued pattern of negative behavior, I will call for a conference with you so we can discuss the issues and solve the problem together.
At the beginning of kindergarten, we read several stories about a little boy named “David.” In these stories, David has a very hard time making “smart” behavior choices. Our class brainstormed ways we would help David if he came to kindergarten. Below, you can see the “Yes” and “No” behaviors we would teach David if he was a member of our class. The ending of each story shows David either hugging his Mom or teacher, and receiving either love or praise. We have also discussed that everyone makes mistakes, but that we are always forgiven and get a clean slate each day. We can also begin to make smarter choices and clip back up, even if we have had to clip down earlier in the day. Your student also made a portrait of David, and we have one in our class as well, to remind us of these important lessons.
I look forward to establishing the best possible learning environment for your child. With teamwork and cooperation among parents, teachers, and students, we will have a terrific year! I will be in close contact with you regarding your child’s progress in our classroom this year and appreciate your support. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks so much for your help and support,
Mrs. Dicks