Problem Prevention Plan

Abstract

In every class I have taught no matter what the level I have started the first week off the same with the establishment and practice of classroom rules and procedures in collaboration with the students. This way of starting off the first week has been a success every time because the students take ownership and more responsibilty. The students also are aware of the expectations from the start.

Keywords: classroom, rules,

Problem Prevention Plan

In every class I have taught no matter what the level I have started the first week off the same with the establishment and practice of classroom rules and procedures in collaboration with the students. The rules are very clear and precise and the rules are discussed until a full understanding has been met by the entire class. This way of starting off the first week has been a success every time because the students take ownership and more responsibilty. The students also are aware of the expectations from the start. For the purpose of this 4th grade has been selected. What you do the first day of school will determine your success or failure for the rest of the year." Harry Wong

Making the Rules

In making the rules a discussion is opened up between teacher and students to brainstorm some common rules and procedures. As these are placed on the board the teacher then has the students come up with five main categories that the brainstormed ideas fall in. The categories and ideas are explained and understood. The students then work together to place the ideas in one of the five categories. The rules/expectations must be reasonable, so that students will accept them, be positively worded, and relatively few in number (4-5) (McGinnis, Frederick, & Edwards, 1995; Short, Short & Blanton, 1994).

Stating the Rules

Rules need to be clear, concise, positive, and reflect the expectations within the classroom environment. They also need to be modeled by the teacher so students see exactly what it means and learns to respect the rules that everyone collaborated and came up with. The 4th grade rules would be posted in the classroom with the reminder to of why they were chosen. This keeps the students accountable and acts as a reminder. Also the teacher can simply say the number or place a post-it with the rule number that a student is breaking. Then the student can look and be reminded from the list of rules. Sample 4th grade rules could be; treat property of others as if it belonged to you-think how you would feel, listen to others before speaking-think before you speak, and keep your hands to yourself-think