Reminder to Take Breaks

This month, my class really focused in on showing self-control.  We had a lot of opportunities to talk about it before going on field trips, having substitute teachers, and going to activities in other classrooms.  Those conversations all took place before the events as a way to set the expectations for behavior, and students were almost always able to meet those expectations.

There was one conversation this month, though, that had to come after my students showed a lack of self-control.  They were very chatty and disrespectful during a lesson at the end of the day, so we stopped early to discuss what the issues were.  I wanted their input to come up with ideas to avoid these behaviors at the end of the day.  One little girl was very insightful.  She commented that they had just spent a long time focusing on reading and then had to focus right away on new information.  She said she just couldn't focus anymore.

At that point, I realized that I hadn't given them a break that afternoon.  They weren't showing self-control, but I wasn't being realistic about what they could do at the end of a long day.  I told them that I would do my best to give them a movement break between reading and science, but that they were welcome to ask for one if they needed it.  For the majority of my students, this has really solved the problem.

We all know the importance of giving kids breaks throughout the day, but I have a habit of forgetting that fact once the school year gets into full swing.  I feel so pressured to get things done that I overlook the needs of my students and end up dealing with a lot of behavior problems.  This was a wake-up call from my kids and I appreciated the reminder. 

Pictures of Hopes and Dreams and Clasroom Rules

Here are the pictures that were supposed to go with my previous blog about classroom rules, hopes and dreas, and The Dot project!

Beginning the Year with Responsive Classroom

This year it worked very well for me to begin the year with the RC techniques we learned this summer. I began by talking about Hopes and Dreams and reading the book Ish. We talked about why we come to school and brainstormed a bunch of things that we hope to achieve in the school year. Each student picked something they hoped for and wrote about it on a piece of cardstock. I hung them above their locckers with their picture and plan to revisit them and write a new hope each quarter. Then they can take them home at the end of the year. Next, we talked about how we need to have rules in order to be able to reach our hopes and dreams. We brainstormed a list and consolidated it to 5 and signed them. Next, we read The Quiet Place and watercolred a picture of our quiet places and made a class book. Then we opened our quiet place in our room and all of the students had a chance to take a break. I love this spot this year! It works well for me to have them take a break before anyone gets too worked up. I used Erin's idea and have a sand timer next to the chair so they can use it to know when to come back. Last, we talked about how we need a consequence if we break a rule. We read Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and wrote down the 3 types of consequences, You break it you fix it, Loss of Privilege and Take a Break. I am finding that my kids understand what rules are for and what a consequence is better than ever before this year. I will let you know if these strategies keep working! :)