Well, it’s getting closer to that time we teachers both dread and look forward to. The beginning of a new school year. Along with the mad rush to get everything ready, I try to also think of how I’ll promote peace this year. Here are a few things I do that you might find helpful.
1. Create a Peace Zone. Here I have a small table for both peace and discipline cards below inspirational posters.
2. Plan your reward system. What rewards will you use? Personally I have two reward systems: cooperative and individual. My students sit in cooperative groups and get points for on-task behavior. That group with the most points receives a prize at the end of the day. For individual behaviors, each student has the opportunity to get two tickets weekly: one for completing all homework and another if they did pull their card. They can use these ticket to purchase toys from the treasure box.
3. Think about your rules and your assertive discipline plan. I find that a few general rules are easier to manage than a long list of specific ones. Examples include: Treat others, property, and self with respect. Follow directions. Wait to be called upon to speak.
For discipline, my students make their own cards. On one side, they color their name and a positive scene doing something they like. This affirms their uniqueness and what privileges can be lost when rules are broken.On the opposite side are three columns: Date, Problem, Next Time. These are filled in when students get to the “pulled card” level of misbehavior. I believe writing the problem down and then writing what would have been a good choice helps children reflect on their behavior. I do have this caveat: Next time must be stated as a POSITIVE. If the problem is pushing in line, then he/she should write, “Keep hands to self.”
4. Write Discipline into your lesson plans for the first weeks of school. Give yourself plenty of time to train students. This is not the time to rush into the standards but to establish procedures.Believe me, it’ll pay off. Whenever I’ve rushed because I’ve felt under the gun, discipline got a heck of a lot tougher. And you don’t want to start the year like that.
5. Plan an art project that will make every child feel successful. Need ideas? Pinterest has tons.
Laurie Woodward 
Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
Here are some tips on starting the school year peacefully!
Some great ideas there. Good luck with the new school year 😉
Thank you! We are off and running. It’s now the second week and I love my class already!
I enjoy your discipline card idea – may have to convince our school to trial it as a whole school approach. 🙂
Thanks Haylee. What I like about it is that the child is responsible for coming up with an alternative behavior. It also is a record for parent conferences. Smiles to you too!
Great ideas for both teachers and students to enjoy going to school.
Reblogged this on barclaydave and commented:
Interesting anecdote, we could all use some of this when starting a new job role. Who said you can’t learn from children?