Class Promise: The Foundation of Our Rituals and Routines

After reading several books this week, including "David Goes to School", "Following the Rules", and "Being a Good Friend", students were asked how they feel about having rules and the importance of them. Questions such as, "Would you like if your friend didn't follow the rules of a game?" and "How would that make you feel?" were asked. We talked about rules all around us. For instance, in the car (road signs), at the store (waiting in line), and at school (fire drills). Students were invited to give their opinions on what they think would be some good classroom rules to follow. They came up with: no kicking, no hitting, being nice to people, and listening to the teacher. We summed up what they said and wrote it on our Class Promise chart. The students drew pictures of themselves to go around the promise and it is now posted in front of the classroom. Our promise is said everyday before we start our Skills Block lesson. Students are reminded of the promise throughout the day and asked to follow the rules of the classroom so that no one gets hurt and everyone has a chance to be heard. The foundation of our rituals and routines is in place with our Class Promise and the students are very proud to be a part of creating it!