Establishing good classroom discipline is essential to each child’s success, confidence and well-being. Every child should feel that the classroom environment is safe and secure; free from all threats of physical or emotional harm. In addition, it is important that each child learn to develop self-discipline and good work habits, to resolve conflicts peacefully, and to think independently.
Social Contract
This is a contract we have created together and provides guidelines as to how the students wish to be treated by me, how they wish to treat each other, and how I wish to be treated by them. They have all signed the contract and I expect each student to follow it on a daily basis. Our contract is posted on the whiteboard at the front of the room.
If a child chooses to break part of our Social Contract, he/she will be given a warning and a “Better Choice Chip” will be placed on his/her desk as a visual reminder to redirect his/her behavior. If more warnings have to be given throughout the day, I will write a small note of explanation in his/her homework folder. If the behavior is severe, I will fill out a Soft/Hard Referral and send the student to speak with administration.
*Students may also receive orange cards in Specials or during lunch. These slips will reflect the behavior that occurred. Students will automatically lose their "Fun Friday" privilege if one of these cards is received. This privilege will also be lost if a note of explanation is ever required in the homework folder.
Cactus Cash:
For outstanding behavior, as well as for turning in assignments, students may earn Cactus Cash to use for earning (“purchasing”) a reward. There are a variety of rewards available, that range in price from $20 (Treasure Box Item) to $200 (No Homework Coupon).
Class Cactus Cash: If the class receives a compliment from another teacher, a Cactus Cash dollar will be posted on our front door. When the dollars cover up all the letters in LONGHORNS, they will win (and vote on) a class reward (such as extra recess, shoes off in the classroom, stuffed animals for the day, etc.).
Team Marbles:
Students will work as a team with their table to earn marbles. Marbles can be earned for working together, following directions, and excellent behavior. Every Friday we will count the marbles each table has earned. The team with the most marbles will get to choose a folded piece of paper from a basket. They will earn one of the following: a pencil, a sticker, a Cactus Cash Dollar, or a no homework coupon to be used on FOUR problems of math homework during the week of their choice. No Homework coupons CANNOT be used to replace a night of reading. ☺
Class Marbles:
The students will also be rewarded marbles as a class for working together well on assignments, following directions, etc. Once the class has reached 25 marbles, they will be able to vote on a class reward.
Additional Reading:
Students are required to read 4 out of 7 nights a week. If a child reads more than 4 nights per week, they will be rewarded with extra Cactus Cash.
Student of the Week:
I will assign one student each week (to be chosen in alphabetical order, by first name) to be our Student of the Week. This will allow each child to share information about themselves to the class. This information will be displayed on the class bulletin board for a full week. Your child will be notified of their upcoming display the Friday prior and a poster will be sent home for your child to fill out. Photos are encouraged and will be returned at the end of the week. When your child is Student of the Week, they will also be bringing home for a weekend our class mascot, Tilly the Turtle (don’t worry, he is a stuffed animal, no feeding required ☺). He is no trouble at all; he just likes his favorite bedtime story read to him along with his weekend adventures recorded by your child in his journal. These items will be taken home by your child in a small denim tote bag. Please return the journal, bag, and Tilly, along with the completed poster, the following Monday.
Social Contract
This is a contract we have created together and provides guidelines as to how the students wish to be treated by me, how they wish to treat each other, and how I wish to be treated by them. They have all signed the contract and I expect each student to follow it on a daily basis. Our contract is posted on the whiteboard at the front of the room.
If a child chooses to break part of our Social Contract, he/she will be given a warning and a “Better Choice Chip” will be placed on his/her desk as a visual reminder to redirect his/her behavior. If more warnings have to be given throughout the day, I will write a small note of explanation in his/her homework folder. If the behavior is severe, I will fill out a Soft/Hard Referral and send the student to speak with administration.
*Students may also receive orange cards in Specials or during lunch. These slips will reflect the behavior that occurred. Students will automatically lose their "Fun Friday" privilege if one of these cards is received. This privilege will also be lost if a note of explanation is ever required in the homework folder.
Cactus Cash:
For outstanding behavior, as well as for turning in assignments, students may earn Cactus Cash to use for earning (“purchasing”) a reward. There are a variety of rewards available, that range in price from $20 (Treasure Box Item) to $200 (No Homework Coupon).
Class Cactus Cash: If the class receives a compliment from another teacher, a Cactus Cash dollar will be posted on our front door. When the dollars cover up all the letters in LONGHORNS, they will win (and vote on) a class reward (such as extra recess, shoes off in the classroom, stuffed animals for the day, etc.).
Team Marbles:
Students will work as a team with their table to earn marbles. Marbles can be earned for working together, following directions, and excellent behavior. Every Friday we will count the marbles each table has earned. The team with the most marbles will get to choose a folded piece of paper from a basket. They will earn one of the following: a pencil, a sticker, a Cactus Cash Dollar, or a no homework coupon to be used on FOUR problems of math homework during the week of their choice. No Homework coupons CANNOT be used to replace a night of reading. ☺
Class Marbles:
The students will also be rewarded marbles as a class for working together well on assignments, following directions, etc. Once the class has reached 25 marbles, they will be able to vote on a class reward.
Additional Reading:
Students are required to read 4 out of 7 nights a week. If a child reads more than 4 nights per week, they will be rewarded with extra Cactus Cash.
Student of the Week:
I will assign one student each week (to be chosen in alphabetical order, by first name) to be our Student of the Week. This will allow each child to share information about themselves to the class. This information will be displayed on the class bulletin board for a full week. Your child will be notified of their upcoming display the Friday prior and a poster will be sent home for your child to fill out. Photos are encouraged and will be returned at the end of the week. When your child is Student of the Week, they will also be bringing home for a weekend our class mascot, Tilly the Turtle (don’t worry, he is a stuffed animal, no feeding required ☺). He is no trouble at all; he just likes his favorite bedtime story read to him along with his weekend adventures recorded by your child in his journal. These items will be taken home by your child in a small denim tote bag. Please return the journal, bag, and Tilly, along with the completed poster, the following Monday.