Rule 3 Raise your hand for permission to speak

- Today the focus is Rule #3~ Raise Your Hand for Permission to Leave Your Seat. For today's assignment~ write an essay explaining what strategies you introduced (paragraph 1) and reflect on how it went (paragraph 2). 

Using the students to help me reinforce this rule will become instrumental for them to master it.  When someone leaves their seat for any reason without permission, I ask the class “what rule are they breaking”?  The class than follows up with they are breaking rule #3-Raise you hand for permission to leave your seat. (After a while I expect they will do it automatically without me asking). This allows for them to take responsibility for their actions, called out by their peers. This way, I am not the bad guy!

This has been hard for me to reinforce.  I give many reminders through the day and frownie points when it is not followed.  Kindergarteners are learning about the structure of the day, so  I play ping pong and have fun with them, as we transition into learning this rule quickly.

I am also trying a “Caught being good” card.  I found the idea from WBT Summer reading blog.  One of the posters had the idea and I loved it, so we are adopting it. I am hoping this will help reinforce the rule.  Rule 1 and 2 are the hardest for this age group of kids. Anything I can find that will help is always a plus. At this point it is working well.

I am now giving 2 minutes of extra recess time if no one leaves their seats during Round Table time.  I am shocked how the kids are just waiting to remind someone they cannot leave their seat or they lose 2 minutes of recess time. I think this might work for a while.  One happy teacher right here!