Rules / Consequences / Procedures

Are you ready? They are coming... is this the frantic rush before the storm or the calm before the dawn? Remember, it really is your choice. You make your choice by the amount and type of preparation made before the students arrive.

Here are 3 things that must be in place before the students walk through your door.

1) Proactive Rules should be well thought out and follow these guidelines:

• No more than 5 rules. First rule is a compliance rule (Follow directions immediately) rule 2 is an on-task rule (eyes and ears on teacher or task), rule 3 is an interacting with others rule (keep feet, hands, and other objects to self).


• The first 3 rules should be common throughout the school


• Keep the wording short/simple/start


• Keep the rule wording specific, measurable, observable


• Prominently post your rules

2) Proactive Consequences should also be well thought out. Keep the following in mind:

• Consequences must fit the philosophy or guidelines of the school-wide discipline plan.


• Think through your consequences - are they enforeable?


• Are your consequences structured in a logical sequence of severity? I like to structure consequences into a logical sequence for removing a student with a severe clause to immediately remove a student.

3) Proactive Procedures should follow these guidelines

• Think of all the procedural situations encountered in the students' school day.


• Break down these procedural situations into specific, measureable, observable steps.


• Keep your procedural steps to 5 or less.

4) First two weeks of school

• Teach your rules, consequences and procedures as well as you would a content lesson.


• Practice, practice, practice your rules, consequences, procedures!

5) The rest of the year

• Review your rules, consequences, procedures frequently.


• Re-teach your rules, consequences and procedures after every school break.


• Use natural positive reinforcement to increase rule and procedure compliance.

Have fun! Visit our website to get information for upcoming workshops from The Principal's Office.

See you soon!

Dr. Brian

August - Stormy or Sunny? Its up to you.

“8:30 am ~ With resolute eyes, she stares at the door, waiting for the inevitable. The distant sound of a tornado is drawing closer with each passing beat of her heart. The sound becomes deafening as she approaches the door to meet the monster head-on. She reaches for the cold steel of the handle and is propelled backwards as the tornado rips into the room blowing past her in a terrifying rush. Furniture is tossed aside; paper is thrown about as the tornado settles into a horrific windstorm.
She leans against the door and sighs, “Why can’t they just enter the classroom quietly?”

Why don't the students enter classrooms quietly? It is not in their nature to do so... they are, by nature playground creatures! Entering a classroom quietly is abnormal. Until we proactively teach and reinforce the procedures of our classroom they will continue to act normal.

Characteristics of Proactive Procedures:

• Are proactive - thoroughly thought out before students arrive.
• Use wording that is positive, “start,” and simple.
• Are taught and practiced at the beginning of the year.
• Wording is specific, measureable and observable.
• Practiced until automatic and routine with students.

If you need any assistance or ideas, look on The Principal's Office calendar to register for an upcoming "Putting Away the Paddle" workshop.

Brian

Ready or Not... They're Coming!

It's the first of July... do you know where your students are?

Are they studying at the library... hoping to get a headstart on the coming year?
Are they curled up with a good book, snuggling with some math facts, hanging out with an impelling writing project? Nah, they're kids... they're playing! And, depending on the time of day or night... they are sleeping! It's okay, that's what kids do.

What are you doing? Are you navigating a curriculum map, laying around with some lesson plans, surfing the internet for some great ideas for next year... probably!

Please get some rest. Your emotional and physical well-being is a very important part of classroom management and behavioral intervening.

Here's a prescription from the doctor...

1) Snuggle with a good book and your favorite human... or pet! You don't have to read something "appropriate" either... my wife and daughters love the Twilight series. There are many great "brain-candy" books out there. It's okay... relax.

2) Get some exercise on a consistent basis. Go walking, bike riding, running, hiking. There are many wonderful hiking trails throughout Arizona - the best in the Payson area. Go to this website and pick a place... then do it!
http://www.arizonahikingtrails.com/paysonhikes.asp

3) Go visit a friend, relative, or near-acquaintance who needs an emotional lift. It is amazing what selfless-service does to the health of our souls.

You have only a couple of weeks left... go do something fun and inexpensive. Then, we'd like to hear from you!

Have a wonderful July!

Dr. Winsor