Classroom Rules

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When it comes to teaching preschool and having good classroom management, it is always important to set simple rules. Rules need to be stated in a way for what you want them to do.

Example:

“Walk” this tells the children specifically what you want them to do.

If you say “don’t run” all they are hearing is RUN.

When setting your classroom rules you need to have visual reminders. This helps children understand the rules and be able to follow the rules.

There is a pocket chart in the circle area of my classroom. In the pocket chart are pictures of the children demonstrating the classroom rules with a sentence strip that has the rule written on it. I like to use pictures of the actual children in the classroom because it gives a since of ownership and that it is their classroom and their rules not just the teachers.



Remember that you and your staff are the teachers and their first role model. As the teachers you need to be modeling appropriate behavior at all times. Children are like the saying monkey see monkey do, so if they see you doing something against the rules, they will mimic what they see you doing, not what they hear you say.


Question that get asked:


When do you go over the rules?


I go over the rules everyday especially at the beginning of the school year, during group time and while we are going outside. I will go over the rules that are important at that time. This is why it is import to have the visually children will remind one another of the rules.


What do you do if they don’t follow the rules?


I use positive reinforcement. (Nurtured Heart) We are always looking for and pointing out the good things children do through out the day.


Example:


• “I see you know how to stand in line.” “Thank-you for follow the rules.”
• “I see that Kim and Jimmy are ready for the story.”


This will give the other children a reminder of what they need to do. As those children follow through you need to give them that verbal positive reinforcement.


“I see that you are all ready for the story.” “I enjoy reading and sharing stories with you.”


Positive reinforcement does not mean say “Good Job.” When you say this over and over to children it means nothing to them. You have to be specific in your positive reinforcement.


• I see…
• You know how…
• That is thoughtful of you
• You are a good friend because…
• You are a great example of…


What if I don’t have classroom rules?


It is never too late to start classroom rules. Rules help the children have a since of a school community. Just start out in group time and go over your new rules and why. Let the children give input to why you are starting rules. This will give them buy in to the new rules.


Example of other teacher rule charts.

 

I have also made the class rules into a book for the library area so that if a child needs reminding or help in remember the rules we can have a quiet story time with that child. 

Setting the Stage for the Holiday

It is always fun to add seasonal things to the learning centers to help set the stage for learning fun.

This teacher added a fun hand print fire place to her dramatic play area.  Along with pillow and Santa hats so that the children could pretend that they are reading one of Santa’s favorite stories. 

This teacher brought in an artificial tree and placed it in her reading area.  The children have created all the ornaments for it.  This made her book area warm and inviting for the children to sit down and read one of their favorite books.

Ornaments on the tree are sandpaper people and painted pine cones with glitter.

Cinnamon Applesauce Dough Ornaments

Your children will enjoy making these ornaments for their parents. It is a great sensory experience for the children with the texture and smell of the dough. Make plenty of dough because the children will want to make more than one. Parents will love them for years to come, with the fresh sent of cinnamon for the holiday. You can also use these ornament for other holiday occasions like Mother’s Day.

What You Will Need:


• 1 1/2 cups ground cinnamon (you can get large containers at the dollar store or warehouse stores)
• 1 cup applesauce
• ¼ cup white school glue
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Wax Paper or Foil
• Plastic Wrap
• Rolling Pins
• Cookie Cutter or Plastic knives for cutting shapes
• Ribbon for hanging
• Straw to make the hole for hanging


How to Make Ornaments

• Mix cinnamon, applesauce and glue together in the large mixing bowl. Dough should be firm.
• Have children roll dough out on wax paper about ¼ inch thick
• Cut into desired shape.
• At the top pock a hole in it for hanging
• Place cut out onto wax paper for drying
• You can embellish ornaments with glitter
• Once dry string ribbon through hole and tie.

This is what the dough should look like when you are done mixing it.

I've Been On The Move

Update:



I have been away from the classroom over the last few weeks and will continue to be away from the classroom until the beginning of the year.


Here is what I have been doing:


• Going around to all the classrooms in our program 16 to be exact, where we serve 560 children.


• I have been conducting ECER’S and ELLCO’S with all the teachers and sitting down with them as a group to writ their program goals for the year. We are using the findings from the ECER’S, ELLCO and their Desired Results to come up with their individual goals for their classroom.


• Once all the findings from all the classrooms have been found a group of 3 will sit down and write the goals for the whole program based on the findings in the individual classrooms. The program goals will then be submitted to the State for future funding.


It is a lot of work, but I really enjoy going around to all the classrooms and see what great things are happening in the classrooms. It is a great time to gain valuable knowledge and ideas from other seasoned teachers. I always say, “That great teachers are made by the teachers next door.” (Always learning from one another)


Here are some things that have been coming up as some of us go from classroom to classroom:


We are a group of 16 teachers, but some of us are in our first year teaching and some of us are going on 30 years of teaching experience.


• What classroom rules do you have?
• What does your classroom schedule look like?
• How do you organize everything?
• Where are you getting your extra supplies and materials to help keep the children engaged?
• How do you handle disciple?
• Do you use time out?
·  How do handle transitions through out the day?


Since I am away from the classroom I will be taking this time to answer these questions over the next few weeks. I will also be sharing ideas that are coming from other wonderful teachers on our teaching staff.