We will be using the Class Dojo to help manage behavior between both classes this year. Class Dojo is a great way to monitor your child's behavior in school, and ensure that they are behaving appropriately at all times. You can access the dojo from any computer (there is also a phone app for it) using your dojo code (if you need your dojo code, e-mail one of us and we will send it to you).
Students are expected to earn a minimum of ten positive points per day. Students that meet this goal will be rewarded for their good behavior.
Due to the fact that the dojo would only allow us to use one language, we have chosen to leave the words off and use just the icons instead. The following chart shows the icons and the rules they refer to:
We don't believe in giving children a laundry list of rules; they just beg to be broken. Instead, we use an "above/below the line" kind of system. On the first day of school we all decide what constitutes "above the line" behavior, and what constitutes "below the line" behavior.
"Above the line" behaviors are good behaviors. Things like:
listening
helping others
participating
following directions
saying kind words
sharing
. . . just to name a few
"Below the line" behaviors are those that get you in trouble. Things like:
lying
pushing
being off-task
being rude
calling names
cheating
. . . just to name a few
There are also three "bottom line" behaviors: fighting, stealing, and vandalism (we will explain this to the kids as "writing on or breaking things that don't belong to you"). Bottom line behaviors will earn a student a visit with the principal.
Students that display "above the line" behaviors can earn dojo points, praise, a pat on the back, a Best Bear ticket, a smile, a good phone call home, etc.
Students that participate in "below the line" behaviors are given a choice; Do you want to fix the situation or face a consequence? Students that choose to fix the situation need to come up with a plan on how to fix it (for example, apologize, write a letter, clean up, etc), and they need to successfully implement that plan. Students that choose the consequence (and they never do) will receive a consequence that has been decided upon by the teacher (for example - time out, lost recess, phone call home, etc).
Growing up and maturing include learning to be responsible for your own actions. If consequences are always imposed upon you by someone else, you don't learn to monitor and fix your own behavior.
Students are expected to earn a minimum of ten positive points per day. Students that meet this goal will be rewarded for their good behavior.
Due to the fact that the dojo would only allow us to use one language, we have chosen to leave the words off and use just the icons instead. The following chart shows the icons and the rules they refer to:
We don't believe in giving children a laundry list of rules; they just beg to be broken. Instead, we use an "above/below the line" kind of system. On the first day of school we all decide what constitutes "above the line" behavior, and what constitutes "below the line" behavior.
"Above the line" behaviors are good behaviors. Things like:
listening
helping others
participating
following directions
saying kind words
sharing
. . . just to name a few
"Below the line" behaviors are those that get you in trouble. Things like:
lying
pushing
being off-task
being rude
calling names
cheating
. . . just to name a few
There are also three "bottom line" behaviors: fighting, stealing, and vandalism (we will explain this to the kids as "writing on or breaking things that don't belong to you"). Bottom line behaviors will earn a student a visit with the principal.
Students that display "above the line" behaviors can earn dojo points, praise, a pat on the back, a Best Bear ticket, a smile, a good phone call home, etc.
Students that participate in "below the line" behaviors are given a choice; Do you want to fix the situation or face a consequence? Students that choose to fix the situation need to come up with a plan on how to fix it (for example, apologize, write a letter, clean up, etc), and they need to successfully implement that plan. Students that choose the consequence (and they never do) will receive a consequence that has been decided upon by the teacher (for example - time out, lost recess, phone call home, etc).
Growing up and maturing include learning to be responsible for your own actions. If consequences are always imposed upon you by someone else, you don't learn to monitor and fix your own behavior.
