Best Practices Statement Student Discipline 1

At Reeds Ferry School, we use the Responsive Classroom approach to create a safe,

respectful and caring environment. Responsive Classroom is an approach to teaching based

on the belief that integrating academic and social-emotional skills creates an environment where

students can do their best learning (Principles and Practices, 2017). Teachers use the

practices and strategies in this approach to build students academic and social competencies.

Responsive Classroom employs several core classroom practices. The first is

interactive modeling - teachers explicitly model and practice classroom procedures and

routines. Teacher language - is the intentional use of language to help students engage in their

learning. Logical consequences - a response to student behavior that is non-punitive; teachers

set clear limits yet students have the opportunity to fix their mistakes. Interactive learning

structures - provides students with opportunities to engage in hands-on learning while

interacting with their peers (Principles and Practices, 2017).

There are a few additional practices that are unique to the elementary setting. One of

these practices we use each day is Morning Meeting. In this practice, everyone gathers in a

circle at the beginning of the school day. There are four components: greeting, sharing, group

activity and morning message (Principles and Practices, 2017). This is such an essential part of

our school day since it sets the tone for the entire day. Another heavily utilized practice is

energizers (Principles and Practices, 2017). Teachers in our building will often use these short,

whole-group activities in between lessons so students have opportunities for quick brain breaks.

Responsive Classroom is an effective, school-wide approach that even I, in my role as

language arts coordinator, will use when I interact with students in the hallways, in their

classrooms and at recess. While Im not in charge of student discipline, we often discuss

students, their behavior and solution strategies at our building leadership meetings and during

RtI team meetings. The Responsive Classroom strategies are implemented at the Tier 1 level.
Best Practices Statement Student Discipline 2

When implemented as the core approach, student behavior is most often managed within the

classroom. There are times, however, when some students may need more than the basic

Responsive Classroom practices. In these cases, interventions or strategies for students

requiring Tier 2 and Tier 3 support are discussed at RtI meetings and are under the guidance of

the behavior specialist, principal, assistant principal, school counselor and special education

coordinator, if necessary.
Best Practices Statement Student Discipline 3

References

Principles and Practices. (2017). Retrieved from Responsive classroom:

https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/about/principles-practices/