Discipline
Establishing good classroom discipline is
essential to each child’s success, confidence, and well being. Every child should feel that the classroom is
safe and secure, free from all threats of physical and emotional harm. In addition, it is important that each child
learn to develop self-control and good work habits, to resolve conflicts
peacefully, and to think independently.
The following is the discipline plan I will be using this year.
First, children will learn the purpose of
classroom rules and know that our classroom is a place to learn, grow, and
develop friendships. Together, we will
compile a list of rules. A list will be
sent home to parents when completed. New
rules will be added if necessary.
Next, there should be logical
consequences when rules are broken.
Examples include: time out away
from others if disrupting/bothering other children, cleaning or repairing
damaged property, or written/verbal apologies for name-calling or teasing
others. It is impossible to list all
consequences since all misbehaviors cannot be predicted. My hope is to have consequences act as a
solution to a problem. If misbehavior is
constant or severe, parents will be contacted by note (to be signed and
returned) or by phone. However, I will
do my best to reward good behaviors and focus on promoting a positive classroom
atmosphere.
I will have a behavior wheel in the
classroom so children can see where their behavior lies at any given time and
make any necessary changes if needed. I
will send more information when we are ready to begin.
Finally, each child who successfully
completes a day without breaking the rules will receive a small stamp on
his/her calendar. The calendar will be
kept in your child’s folder so you can check it daily. You can reinforce positive behavior at school
by complimenting your child on days he/she received a stamp. On those occasions when your child may not
receive a stamp, please discuss the reasons why and how to keep the problem
from reoccurring.
Classroom Rules
Once all students have had ample time to
“settle in” and learn our classroom rules, I will be looking for good behavior
on a daily basis. Some of the rules we
have discussed as a class are as follows:
- Walk at all times.
- Raise a quiet hand to speak.
- Use kind words and actions.
- Be quiet when the teacher is
talking. This helps everyone learn.
Our “Behavior Wheel will begin the first
full week in September. The wheel has
three areas: red, yellow and green. Each student has a clothespin with his/her
name on it. Everyone begins the day in
the green area. Green
is the best area and means your child is behaving appropriately. It has a happy face. Yellow is a
warning area. If your child’s clothespin
is moved to the yellow area, he/she has done something inappropriate, received
a warning, and needs to make a better choice.
This has a face with no smile and no frown---straight across. The Red area
means your child has repeated his/her inappropriate behavior or has done
something more serious and a note to parents is needed. This area shows a sad face.
To accompany our behavior wheel, your
child will have a monthly chart in his/her folder. Please look for a daily stamp. This will let you know whether your child has
had a good day in school. If a stamp is
not received, it means your child was in the red area for the day and I will
try to write a short note stating what happened in school.
On Fridays, students will be allowed to
choose from my “Treasure Box” if they have received a stamp each day during the
week. Please reinforce our school rules
at home and ask your child about his/her day.
If you have questions at any time, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
As the year comes to a close, students
will choose from the treasure box less frequently so that they come to learn
that good behavior is expected and is a reward in itself. I am proud of your child for his/her efforts
and I thank you for your help and cooperation in reinforcing our school rules
at home.
Homework
Homework helps to develop responsibility
and good work habits that will carry your child throughout his/her school
years. I believe full-day Kindergarten
students work very hard and are tired at the end of the day. Therefore, written homework will not be given
every day. Please check for the
“HOMEWORK” stamp at the top of the assignment.
Homework is expected to be completed and returned the next school
day. Other forms of homework include
participating in class projects, Show and Tell, studying letter tiles,
reviewing sounds, etc. These are also
very important to our classroom curriculum.
Curriculum
Additional links
to fun Kindergarten websites:
www.scholastic.com
www.pbskids.org
www.kiddonet.com
www.starfall.com
www.billybear4kids.com
www.kidsdomain.com
www.funbrain.com
www.learningplanet.com
www.enchantedlearning.com
A note from Mrs. Bell
Welcome to the 2006-2007 school year! This is an exciting time for your child,
although he/she may be a little apprehensive about going to “real” school. This is also a time of mixed emotions for
parents—joy that your child is ready for school, but sadness because he/she is
no longer a “baby”! The first day of
school will mark one of the most important milestones in your child’s life.
Be assured that I will do my best to make
this school year an enjoyable time for your child, but also a time filled with
real learning. Please do not think your
child will be just “playing” all day!
The skills we practice daily in Kindergarten are the building blocks for
your child’s future success in school and in life!
I would like to take this time to
introduce myself. My name is Jennifer
Bell and I will be your child’s teacher this year. I live in Ringtown with my daughter, Rachel. I spent my elementary years at Ringtown
Elementary and my high school years at North Schuylkill Jr.-Sr. High
School. I attended Bloomsburg University
where I earned both my Elementary Education and Reading Specialist
degrees. This is my 17th year
with the North Schuylkill School District, and my 14th year in
Kindergarten.
On the lighter side, I love autumn, chocolate, candles, the television
show, CSI, hot cocoa with extra marshmallows and spending time with my family
and friends. And, oh, did I mention
chocolate???
I am looking forward to a wonderful year
with you and your children. If you have
any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 889-3161 or jbell@northschuylkill.net