Christine Stone

Community and Family Engagement Plan Part 1. Rules and Procedures

I believe rules should be student-driven and age appropriate. In 5th grade, the students are
preparing for a transition from elementary school to middle school and then high school. It is the
beginning of their transition into adulthood, thus the students should begin learning that rules and
procedures of the classroom are a precursor to the rules and procedures you must follow as an
adult. As their teacher, I have a level of trust that each student will know the difference between
right and wrong and will choose right each time.
Classroom Rules
Classroom rules are set by the students with the guidance of the teacher, in accordance to
the school-wide behavior expectations. Students may decide how the classroom should look
and sound based upon the school-wide expectations. Once classroom rules are decided upon,
the students may develop a Bill of Rights on a poster for their classroom, written in positive
language. By using the sentence starter I have a right to, it keeps the students focused on
what they should do, rather than emphasizing the opposite. After creating the Bill of Rights,
each student may add his/her signature to the poster as a sign of agreement.
Students should also be aware that they have responsibilities which are directly connected
to their rights. The right to be treated with kindness goes along with a responsibility to treat
others the same. When students choose to stray from the rules, they shall be redirected to the
Bill of Rights posted on the wall and signed by each one of them. I assume each of my students
has good intentions and always remember that they are still children learning how to be
respectful, productive members of society. Unless the offense is severe or has caused harm to
another, the student is always given an opportunity to correct their actions or behavior. Repeated
infractions may cause a loss of privilege or a referral for more serious offenses. No student will
suffer a loss of recess time unless they have been sent to the office for a serious infraction. If a
rule is broken repeatedly by multiple students I will hold a class meeting to discuss the reasons
for the rule and the possibility of making an amendment to the rule if deemed necessary. Rules
concerning the treatment of fellow classmates may also be brought up with the school counselor
and added to their counseling curriculum. Its important that the staff work as a team to enforce
rules for the class.
Student Rules
Sample Student Bill of Rights
I have the right to a learning environment which allows me to be on task.
I have the right to walk in the school and keep myself and my peers safe.
I have the right to be respectful to my peers and my teacher.
I have the right to a clean, tidy work area and classroom.
I have the right to quickly and quietly get whatever I need for each lesson.
I have the right to use the restroom when my teacher is not teaching a lesson.
I have the right to use a quiet voice to talk to my peers at an appropriate time.
My teacher has the right to have students who are active listeners when she is teaching a lesson.
I have the right to be responsible for my own belongings and to only have out what is needed.
I have the right to be respectful to the school itself, the furniture and equipment within the school
and playground, and our classroom materials.
I have the right to recycle paper, glass, plastic, and cardboard.
I have the right to treat others with kindness and respect.
I have the right to fail and try again as often as needed.
I have the right to learn.
Classroom Procedures
Classroom procedures are set to teach the students organization and allow the classroom
to run smoothly. I trust that my students will follow the procedures, but will help guide them
when necessary. Students not following procedures will be redirected. The majority of the
procedures are based on keeping organization in the classroom so there will be no consequences
for not adhering to strict routine beyond redirection. Organization is a skill which the students
are still learning at this age. If a student is having significant issues with organization and
routines, a special plan will be developed to help the student learn the appropriate skills. Any
student who does not follow the appropriate routine or procedure causing a safety concern, such
as leaving the classroom without permission, will have an appropriate consequence (loss of
privilege, call home to parents/guardians, or referral).
Procedures
Students will check in for hot/cold lunch as the enter the classroom, then hang up coats and
backpacks and place cold lunches in bin outside the door.
Students may use the restroom whenever necessary, as long as the teacher is not in the middle of
a lesson. Students should sign out with their name and time and place the pass on their desk.
Pencils may be sharpened at the beginning of the day during morning choice time. After
morning choice students may use a pencil from the basket by the sink.
Student desks shall be cleaned every Friday afternoon.
Students may eat snacks whenever they are hungry, keeping all food and drink away from the
computers.
Students will have various jobs around the classroom, including: pencil sharpener, library
helper, lunch tote carrier, door holder, hallway monitor, friend helper, paper passer, etc.
Classroom jobs will change every two weeks.