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! :)