Our school has adopted positive discipline as a means to support disciplinary actions yet promote social and emotional well being. Positive discipline will help to create mutual respect, cooperation, and responsibility in the classroom (and hopefully at home)!
At the beginning of the year, agreements will be established with student input and we will role play different scenarios to clarify. A contract will be created with all the details of the agreements and each student will sign as a commitment.
At the beginning of the year, agreements will be established with student input and we will role play different scenarios to clarify. A contract will be created with all the details of the agreements and each student will sign as a commitment.
Class Meetings
I will hold regular class meetings which cover a variety of topics and challenges that we face as individuals or whole class. During the meetings we follow an agenda and work to solve our problems during conflict. Our goal is to hold three to four class meetings a week.
"Talk It Out" Table
Students will also be introduced to the "Talk it out" table. This table will be a designated space for students to work out problems in a private and safe space. This space will only be available during recess or during independent work (with teacher permission). First, they will state the problem using "I" statements. A feeling will be attached to the problem (frustrated, irritated, sad, etc.). Second, students will recognize each other's opinion. Third, they will ask politely for what they need them to do. Last, they will agree how to solve the problem by apologizing or negotiation. If the problem is not solved then they can ask the teacher for help. This simple procedure will be practiced within class meetings and eventually empower students to solve their own problems! Students can practice this at home too!
Alone Zone or Peace Place
We will also have a space where students can go to calm down when they are frustrated and just need some space. Students do not have to ask to use the space they can just give me a signal (chosen by whole class). Students can lose the privilege to use this space if they are misusing it (work avoidance, play time, etc.).