1. Establishing Order & Building Self-control
The Responsive Classroom/
Developmental Designs Approach

2. Proactive vs. Reactive Discipline
Proactive Discipline intentionally teaches positive behaviors through
Modeling
Practice & coaching
Reflection
Reactive Discipline uses
Logical Consequences for rule infractions
Concept of Restitution to “right a wrong” & fix mistakes

3. Rules: Proactive Discipline
“Too often, we think of rules as necessary evils, restraints which prevent our negative impulses from gaining the upper hand. I believe that rules can lead us in positive directions, serving as guideposts and guardrails as we move toward our goals and ideals.”
Teaching Children to Care, Charney, 2002

4. Constructivist Discipline Philosophy
Discipline is NOT something we “do” to children, as a “higher all-powerful authority”
It is NOT punitive in nature, or shame-based
It is a process that teaches and leads a student to greater levels of maturity, wisdom, and self-control

5. Current Approach to Rule-Making
Complete individual reflection handout –
“My Current Approach to Establishing Classroom Rules”

6. Creating Goals & Declarations
Motivation/Connect
First, set the tone…..How will you create conditions for hopeful thinking
Partner Read p for ideas….Exchange additional ideas for fostering motivation with your group

7. Guiding Goal Setting Process
Picture yourself being successful in school.
Direct the conversation to talk about social, academic, physical and spiritual goals for a school year.
Then ask, “What are some things you hope to learn or do in school this year?”
Individual Read pg. 60 – 66 ….Making Declarations/Goals

8. Publishing Goals & Declarations
You will want to publish your students’ Goals
Have the students write out and illustrate their Goals for the year
You may wish to
make a bulletin
board with their
work.

9. Creating Goals & Declarations Individual Planning
Plan how YOU will lead your students through a Goal Creation experience
How will you “Connect” the goal-setting process to real life for your students?
How will you motivate and inspire Hope?
Will you involve parents? If so, how?
Describe the process you will use
Share your plan with a partner at your table

10. BREAK

11. Creating Rules: Democracy & the Social Contract
Begin by reviewing Goals & Declarations
Ask “What Common Understandings would be necessary in order to make our dreams come true.”
Record all the students’ suggestions in a positive way.
You will end up with a very long list.
Explain to the students that it would be hard to remember so many rules.

12. Narrowing it down…
Point out that, “This rule is a lot like this one. How are they the same?”
Begin to categorize the students’ ideas.
You should be able to narrow down your list to 2-5 rules.

13. Publishing Your Rules Have students create their own rule posters.
Make sure spelling is correct.
Have the students personalize the posters in some way.

14. Create Broad Guidelines
Example of class Social Contract:
Be respectful and responsible.
Be organized and follow directions.
Be prepared and on-time.
Use materials gently.

15. Personal Reflections on Rule Creation Process
Review & discuss Social Contract section
Individual Read p
Create Social Contract Plan:
Plan how you will lead your students through a Goal Creation experience
How will you “Connect” the goal-setting process to real life for your students?
How will you motivate and inspire Hope?
Will you involve parents? If so, how?
Describe the process you will use
Share your plan with others at your table

16. Modeling & Practicing
Start at the beginning on the first day of school
Use Reflective Loop to establish common language
What did you notice?
Who can remind us how to……
Teacher modeling vs. student modeling
Partner Read: p
Share & discuss with partner

17. Written Reminders & Remodeling
Don’t nag! Post written procedural reminders about the room.
Individual Read p
Complete Plan Sheet- Introducing Students to a new routine pg. 83