Classroom Rules, Expectations and Disciplinary Action

  Mr. Demar's Classroom Rules, Expectations, and Disciplinary Action

Rules – My classroom doesn't have a list of rules posted in the classroom, instead we have posters explaining what a good classroom should look and sound like. Our posters have the six characteristics I feel are the most valuable for fifth graders to practice and represent.

1. Respect – respecting others (friends, classmates, and teachers), respecting property (books, lockers, school, etc...) and respecting yourself.
   

2. Honesty – I expect all students to be truthful no matter what the circumstance. (Honesty is the best policy)
   

3. Choices – I want all my students making positive choices for themselves. I ask them to stop and ask themselves if they are making a smart choice for themselves or for others.
   

4. Responsibility – being responsible for getting your work handed in on time, being responsible for a specific job you have, and being responsible while working with others.
   

5. Effort – achieving goals through commitment and hard work, trying without giving up or giving in, and making the most of every opportunity.
   

6. Caring – caring for yourself and others, being someone that can be counted on, and giving compliments to others.
   

Expectations – As a classroom teacher I have many expectations for my students. Each situation requires different expectations.

1. What I expect of students on a daily basis, is that they follow the rules that we set earlier in the year.

2. I am very thorough in giving my expectations before each assignment. There is always an opportunity to ask questions and to clarify anything that need clarifying.
   

3. Homework handed in on time is a major expectation of mine. I expect homework to be handed in on the day it is due before class has started (8:45 a.m.). If a student forgot their homework at school or needs help on something, I recommend they take the early bus to school to get the extra help or to retrieve the assignment they need. I am always here by 8:00 a.m.

 Disciplinary Action – I handle all disciplinary problems that happen in class.   The consequences can range from losing minutes off recess, to writing an apology note, to serving a detention.

Any problems that happen outside of my room (recess, bus, cafeteria, hallway, etc...) I will send students to Anne Getty's room. There, Mrs. Getty will hear both sides of the story and I will consult with her to determine what, if any action, we must take.

Homework is a very important part of my classroom. I feel as though it teaches the students to become more responsible. If a student does not hand in an assignment on the due date or before class begins (8:45 a.m.), it will result in that student making up that assignment during their recess. If in one week a student has three days of missing homework, that student will be asked to serve a detention the following Wednesday.

I have a list of all the student names on a sheet of paper in the front of the classroom. If a student interrupts or is talking during an inappropriate time, they will get a check by their name. If a student receives three checks or more in one day than that student will be missing the following recess.  If a student gets more than ten checks in one week, that student will be asked to serve a detention on the following Wednesday.

If I see a change in your students behavior or if he/she is not getting his/her homework in on time I will give you a call so we can try and defuse the situation before it escalates.