Classroom Management

To start with, the word discipline does not mean punishment for misbehavior. The word discipline means basically “to teach”. Through discipline and my classroom management procedures, I will teach my students how to behave with positive reinforcement rather than punish them for not knowing how to act in school. For most students, they need to know the correct way of how to act and learn in school-how to be responsible! 
 

In the classroom, I stress high expectations and a lot of responsibility in all areas for my students because I know that they can do anything that they really put their minds to. I expect that my students follow all school and classroom rules; will respect and treat everyone in the school with dignity and compassion; will come to school ready to learn; and try their best at whatever they are doing.

My class has two mottos and both are very positive to help promote rising to my expectations mentioned above. The first is “I believe I can learn. I will learn.” I will do my best to make sure that your child learns, but they also are very responsible to make this happen as well. The second one is “I can make good choices. I will make good choices.” The students always have a choice-to follow or not to follow the expected behaviors. With each choice also comes a consequence (lose of recess time, conversation with me, etc.) or reward (money, high five, compliments, etc.) It’s the student’s responsibility to make those good choices. I can’t make them for them.  

We will also be having lots of fun engaging in learning in Kindergarten this year. In order to enjoy the activities and lessons, it is each student’s responsibility to conduct himself/herself in an appropriate manner. I try very hard to create an environment in which each child feels welcome and successful. Therefore, I want your child to behave because they respect me, the other students, and enjoy being a part of our class!

Classroom Rules

1. Listen to the teacher and your classmates. This includes following directions the first time they are given. Be respectful.
2. Use kind words and actions. Keep your body and objects to yourself. Be respectful.
3. Take care of our room and your things. Be respectful. 
4. Always try your best! 

Behavior Chart

Everyone starts the day on green-GOOD Day! It's a positive way to start the day. If you are making GREAT choices, you can move up to purple. Starting on green provides the students LOTS of opportunities to make better choices after they've made a few not so good ones (yellow-think, orange-teacher, red-parent, which is not shown here). If you ever have any questions, please let me know! I will notify you of your child's individual choices daily in his/her agenda. You are either going to see a simple penned smiley face, which equals a great choice day! OR you will see a note explaining his/her choices. Please check the agenda daily. 

Compliments 
Compliments are given to the entire class. We are a team and we all need to work together to make the year successful. When a compliment is earned for the class making good choices, we will add a link. When 20 links are earned, the students vote on what kind of Compliment Party they would like to have. :) I know we are going to be "partying it up" a lot!

Whole Brain Teaching

Finally, I love to read and learn, so I did both this summer! Whole Brain Teaching is the use of several strategies (The Big Seven) to engage the child in his/her learning because they engage all parts of the brain. (For more information check out: http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/