Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Replacing Pencils
1. All students will have two pencils located in their desks at all times.
2. If your pencil breaks of becomes dull, signal this to me by holding pencil horizontally above head.
Wait for my acknowledgement.
3. When I give permission, you may go to the pencil station, place your old pencil in used pencil
bin, and take a replacement pencil from new pencil bin.
4. Return to your seat and continue working.
Teach: Show students the pencil station with two bins (used and new), but point out that there is no pencil sharpener
there. Show students location of pencil sharpener (teachers desk). Tell students that if their pencil breaks or becomes dull,
they must signal the teacher by holding the pencil horizontally over their head. Once given approval from teacher, explain
that the student can swap out their used pencil for a new pencil at the pencil station. Once students have swapped pencils,
tell them that they must return to their seat and continue working quietly. Explain to students that only the teacher and the
pencil monitor will be allowed to sharpen pencils at designated (non-learning) times in order to minimize disruption.
Rehearse: Choose a few students to help demonstrate the procedure. As students complete the steps correctly, give positive
comments. If students struggle and make errors, gently remind them of the correct steps and give positive comments when
they make the corrections. Comments such as Thank you for exchanging your pencil without disturbing the class! are
important to remind students of the importance of this procedure.
Reinforce: Each time students complete this procedure, remind them that the purpose is to minimize disruptions to the
learning environment while still ensuring that they have the necessary tools to complete their work. Make sure students
know they are responsible for coming to school with necessary materials, but if they lost or forgot their pencil, ensure they
complete the procedure correctly to acquire a new pencil.
Finish Off:
1. Check your WIP Folder
2. Complete all WIP tasks
3. Journal or Silent Read
Teach: Show students the Start Off/Finish Off chart and explain each column. Point out that each list should be done in
sequential order. Explain that students can only work on the tasks listed on the Start Off and Finish Off charts when they
have completed their assigned work and only when they are waiting for classmates to finish or for further instruction from
teacher. Prepare students by explaining that this list may change throughout the year depending on what is being worked
on.
Rehearse: Once students have moved onto independent practice, remind them that when they finish they should look at the
Start Off/Finish Off chart. As students follow directions and correctly move through the steps while staying on task, give
positive feedback to acknowledge them. For students who complete work but do not follow the directions, catch their
attention, point to chart, and nod with approval when they follow directions.
Reinforce: At the end of the assignment time and before transitioning to next task, acknowledge students for using their
time effectively by following this procedure. Remind students that the Start Off/Finish Off Chart will be posted for their
viewing everyday so they can refer to this chart instead of asking the teacher what to do next.
Morning Meeting
Here we will:
1. Greet each other
2. Read the morning message
3. Review the daily schedule
Teach: Explain the purpose of our Morning Meetings and what the class will gain from it. Show students the morning
meeting poster and highlight the goals. Tell students that when discussing concerns they must avoid using names. Ask
students to gather at predetermined meeting spot, and then introduce the flow of the meeting chart (all meetings will follow
this outline). Tell students that after everyone is seated, we will greet one another (greet neighbors to your right until it goes
all the way around circle). Read an opening statement of your choosing and then share the daily schedule. Then open floor
up for discussion of class issues, but remind students that they must keep it short and respectful. End meeting with review
of opening assignment and by wishing everyone a good day. Instruct students to return to their seats quietly.
Rehearse: During the first meeting, make sure students are spread out and then compliment them for arranging correctly.
Show them where the outline of the meeting will be posted. Continue to remind students not to mention names when
discussing issues. Identify students who maintain brief and polite discussions and who address their issue effectively. Be
specific about what they did well and said! Tell students that you will be leader of Morning Meetings at first, but eventually
everyone will have a chance to lead it.
Reinforce: Make sure to follow flow of meeting you have outlined to sustain consistency and model to future leaders how
to do it. Continue to remind them not to use names when discussing issues, this may take a while. As students become more
comfortable and complete meetings successfully, turn it over to a student leader.
Discussion Rules
1. Eyes and ears on the speaker.
2. Give and receive mutual respect
3. Always maintain a safe place to speak
4. Raise your hand and wait to receive the talking tool to speak.
Teach: Explain to students that when we have discussions we will sit in a circle so everyone can see the speaker. Show
students the Talking Tool and explain how it will be used. Remind students that when someone has the Talking Tool, all
eyes and ears are on the speaker, and no one else is talking. Explain that people who wish to add to the discussion must raise
their hand to receive the Talking Tool. At the start of each discussion, explain the topic while holding the talking tool. As
students raise their hands, demonstrate how to gently toss the Talking Tool, then assure them it is their turn to speak. Give
quiet students a chance to join by occasionally stopping the discussion and saying Now I would like to hear from students
who have not had a chance to share yet. Tell students who have shared several times to allow others a chance to share.
Thank students for participating respectfully and following the procedure.
Rehearse: Invite class to gather for a discussion, but review the steps of the procedure before beginning. Initiate discussion
by asking the first questions. Then toss the Talking Tool to start the discussion. When it is time to change speakers, ask
students to recall the procedures. Continue to practice until all students have participated. For students who interrupt or are
disrespectful, prompt a peer to correct the procedure. Continue to thank students for following correctly.
Reinforce: During the next discussion, observe whether students follow the procedure correctly. Give feedback and redirect
as necessary. Always end a discussion by thanking the class for holding a respectful and interesting discussion.
Collaborative Learning
1. I will assign groups and learning areas.
2. You are responsible for your own work and behavior.
3. Problem solve with your group; I can be a resource as a last resort.
4. Listen for the transition cue.
Teach: Tell students that we will often work in groups if they can correctly follow this procedure. Explain that you have
preassigned groups and learning locations. Tell students that group members, size, and locations will not always stay the
same. List off the first group to the class and direct them to their learning spot. Demonstrate the signal for gathering in
groups. Explain to students that as they work, they are responsible for their own work and behavior and they must rely on
group members to solve any problems. Coming to the teacher for help should only occur when entire group is stumped.
Next model the transition cue and point out that it will always be the same. Then explain expectations for what happens at
transition cue (closing thoughts on discussion, return materials, rearrange classroom as needed, and return to seats quietly).
Rehearse: Announce the first group and show them where they will be working. Give them a quick and simple task where
they must interact. Prompt class to monitor procedure and then give the cue for breaking into groups. After a few working
minutes, stop the group and prompt class to give feedback. Have group resume their work, ask them what they should do
when they have a question. Have class determine their accuracy and correct as needed. Have them continue working again
and then give transition cue. Once students have returned to their seats, ask the class for feedback. Complete this practice
again with a different group as needed until procedure is understood.
Reinforce: Before students are able to meet for first real group work, review this procedure. As students go through the
process, thank them and give positive and specific verbal feedback. Once students return to their seat at end of procedure,
continue giving feedback. Affirm and correct actions when needed.
Teach: Each day, choose a specific social skill to focus on in a lesson. Inform the class of which skill will be incorporated
during the lesson. Help students to practice this social skill throughout the subject block or day. Discuss with the class how
purposefully practiced social skills help to create a positive learning environment. Inform students that these skills are
equally as important in an adult work environment and in society. At the end of the lesson, review the impact that this social
skill had on students interactions and learning. Repeat this process for each social skill.
Rehearse: Practice all highlighted social skills as needed until these skills become routine for your students. Continue to
remind students of the skill they will practice in each lesson. If students continue to struggle, isolate and rehearse that skill
until students have mastered the desired outcome. Work closely with individuals who continue to struggle.
Reinforce: Acknowledge the class for their performance of a specific social skill and encourage them to continue using it.
Remember to be consistent with your expectations that these skills be used throughout the school day, all school year long.
3. E-mail
4. Voicemail
5. Weekly reports sent home on Fridays