Blog #4

• If there is one thing that seems consistent across elementary classrooms everywhere, it is the pervasive use of reward systems. How do you plan to use them? If not at all, why not? If some, how? If you plan to use them a lot, what is your evidence for why that is the best plan?

I plan on using the ones that the school implement, I know that the school I volunteer at uses "bear paws," when a teacher sees a student doing something good, they give one to them, at the end of the week, they announce the students in each class that earned the most. I know they also do "pizza parties," I will participate in the systems that the school asks me to, but in my own classroom, I think I will try not to use rewards. I think that proper classroom management will eliminate the need for them mostly. I do like the idea of a prize box, just because it was one of my favorite things when I was younger. I also really like the idea of  a "desk pet," but I would like to do these things for fun rather than as incentive for good behavior. I hope that the relationship I build with my students is strong enough that they want to behave for me, although that seems somewhat naïve I'm sure. 

• What do you think of Gus' (Kovalik's) idea of a set of powerful vocabulary like the LifeSkills? Do you think you will use something like that in your classroom? Why or why not? 

I loved the idea of lifeskills. I think it's important for us to teach our children and students what they should expect from others, and also how to treat others. I thought this was a great list and I think that most of these would show up on school rule lists. Trustworthiness, truthfulness, active listening, no put-downs, personal best! These are qualities that all people should strive for, regardless of age. My classroom rules from last blog were be kind to yourself, each other, our tools and work hard and never give up. I feel that these are totally in line with the lifeskills Kovalik outlined in the article. 

Dislike

 

Like

• What do you not like about the set of rules you selected as a poor example?

I think that the first rule is to vague, "an appropriate manner?" I do not think the language is student friendly or concise. I also dislike the use of negatives, sloppy, no excuses, don't discourage. Also, the idea of excellence only feels like it could be very discouraging to people that may be struggling. 

• What do you like about the set of rules you selected as a good example?

I love that the students signed their name to the rules. It adds an extra sense of ownership and inclusion. I like the positivity, we don't need perfection, we need to work hard and not give up! I love that kindness to others is brought up, but often kindness to ourselves is forgotten and that's a shame. I also think a reminder to be good to supplies doesn't ever really go amiss. These are concise, to the point, and also very relevant. Nothing about these rules should make someone feel bad, or guilty. They are also easy enough for many students to read on their own. 

• Share a set of rules you would like to have in your classroom in the future (or ones that you hope you kids come up with if you plan to have them part of the process). Explain what you like about these rules.

Honestly I think the list I chose is wonderful, I would maybe add *Be Safe. I think that as long as we are consciously caring about ourselves, our peers, and our surroundings, the rest should fall in place. Respect is a big concept, it is a lot to process and has many aspects. Kindness is a much more understandable and relatable concept in my opinion. I think that most behaviors in class could be dealt with by pointing to one of these rules. If a child is not sharing, "are we being kind?" If a child is running "is that safe?" If a child is hitting someone with their backpack, "are we being kind to our supplies and our friends?" I'm really happy with that list I found, I plan on using it in the future!