Establishing Order & Building Self-control

The Responsive Classroom/Developmental Designs Approach

Proactive vs. Reactive Discipline

• Proactive Discipline intentionally teaches positive behaviors through– Modeling– Practice & coaching– Reflection

• Reactive Discipline uses– Logical Consequences for rule infractions– Concept of Restitution to “right a wrong” & fix

mistakes

Rules: Proactive Discipline

“Too often, we think of rules as necessary evils, restraints which prevent our negative impulses from gaining the upper hand. I believe that rules can lead us in positive directions, serving as guideposts and guardrails as we move toward our goals and ideals.”

Teaching Children to Care, Charney, 2002

Constructivist Discipline Philosophy

• Discipline is NOT something we “do” to children, as a “higher all-powerful authority”

• It is NOT punitive in nature, or shame-based• It is a process that teaches and leads a student

to greater levels of maturity, wisdom, and self-control

Current Approach to Rule-Making

• Complete individual reflection handout – “My Current Approach to Establishing Classroom Rules”

Creating Goals & Declarations

Motivation/Connect• First, set the tone…..How will you create

conditions for hopeful thinking• Partner Read p. 58-60 for

ideas….Exchange additional ideas for fostering motivation with your group

Guiding Goal Setting Process

• Picture yourself being successful in school. • Direct the conversation to talk about social, academic,

physical and spiritual goals for a school year.• Then ask, “What are some things you hope to learn or

do in school this year?”• Individual Read pg. 60 – 66 ….Making

Declarations/Goals

Publishing Goals & Declarations• You will want to publish your students’ Goals• Have the students write out and illustrate their Goals for the

year• You may wish to make a bulletin board with their work.

Creating Goals & DeclarationsIndividual Planning

• Plan how YOU will lead your students through a Goal Creation experience– How will you “Connect” the goal-setting process

to real life for your students?– How will you motivate and inspire Hope?– Will you involve parents? If so, how?– Describe the process you will use

• Share your plan with a partner at your table

BREAK

Creating Rules: Democracy & the Social Contract

• Begin by reviewing Goals & Declarations• Ask “What Common Understandings would be

necessary in order to make our dreams come true.”• Record all the students’ suggestions in a positive way.• You will end up with a very long list.• Explain to the students that it would be hard to

remember so many rules.

Narrowing it down…

• Point out that, “This rule is a lot like this one. How are they the same?”

• Begin to categorize the students’ ideas. • You should be able to narrow down your list to

2-5 rules.

Publishing Your Rules

• Have students create their own rule posters.• Make sure spelling is correct.• Have the students personalize the posters in

some way.

Create Broad Guidelines

• Example of class Social Contract:– Be respectful and responsible.– Be organized and follow directions.– Be prepared and on-time.– Use materials gently.

Personal Reflections on Rule Creation Process

• Review & discuss Social Contract section• Individual Read p. 67-71• Create Social Contract Plan:

– Plan how you will lead your students through a Goal Creation experience

– How will you “Connect” the goal-setting process to real life for your students?

– How will you motivate and inspire Hope?– Will you involve parents? If so, how?– Describe the process you will use– Share your plan with others at your table

Modeling & Practicing

• Start at the beginning on the first day of school• Use Reflective Loop to establish common

language– What did you notice?– Who can remind us how to……

• Teacher modeling vs. student modeling• Partner Read: p. 72-75• Share & discuss with partner

Written Reminders & Remodeling

• Don’t nag! Post written procedural reminders about the room.

• Individual Read p. 76-82• Complete Plan Sheet- Introducing Students to

a new routine pg. 83