I don't believe in giving children a laundry list of rules; they just
beg to be broken. Instead, I use an "above/below the line" kind
of system. On the first day of school we all decide what constitutes
"above the line" behavior, and what constitutes "below the
line" behavior.
"Above the line" behaviors are good behaviors. Things
like:
listening
helping others
participating
following directions
saying kind words
sharing
. . . just to name a few
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"Below the line" behaviors are those that get you in trouble. Things like:
lying
pushing
being off-task
being rude
calling names
cheating
. . . just to name a few
There are also three "bottom line" behaviors: fighting,
stealing, and vandalism (I explain this to the kids as "writing on or
breaking things that don't belong to you").
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*Students that participate in "below the line" behaviors
are given a choice; Do you want to fix the situation or face a
consequence? Students that choose to fix the situation need to come
up with a plan on how to fix it (for example, apologize, write a letter,
clean up, etc), and they need to successfully implement that plan.
Students that choose the consequence (and they never do) will receive
a consequence that has been decided upon by the teacher (for example -
time out, lost recess, phone call home, loss of "DOJO points/dollars" etc).
