Domain 2 - The Classroom Environment
Books to Build Classroom Culture
At the commencement of the year, I read many books that teach students lessons about kindness, empathy, and respect, while introducing the Cafe strategies as well. These books inform our classroom discussions and are points of reference throughout the year.
Activities to Promote Kindness and Respect
I provide many opportunities for students to reflect on how to show others that they care and to actively fill other people's buckets. These are just a few examples of such activities.
Reading Goal Setting
An important part of the Daily Cafe is helping students in setting reasonable goals. I did this through a goal board, where students would post their current goals on Post Its and through reading training partners.
MAP Goals
Another important goal setting activity is the setting of yearly goals based around the MAP test. For this I conference with students and use forms that I created to help them set reasonable goals in reading and math.
Behavior Charts
To assist students who are tier 2 or 3 in behavior, I have created behavior charts, such as the one you will see here. I work with their families to create motivating rewards for reaching goals.
Reflection Sheets
If a student does struggle with behavior, I created a reflection sheet that allows the student to reflect not only on why the behavior was inappropriate, but what would be a fair consequence for the misbehavior.
One way that I encourage appropriate behavior and promote cooperation is to give out table points. I give out points to groups that follow classroom expectations and set a good example. The table that ends up with the most points for the day wins the vase for the next day. They also earn the privilege of lining up first for the entire day. The tables are always quite competitive to see who will win for the day. The students even like to ceremonially pass the vase on to the winning table for the next day.