Classroom Stoplight:
My hope is for students to develop ownership in the choices they make at school. Therefore, we started the stoplight program in our classroom that allows students to monitor their own choices each day at school. In addition, students will bring home a card each day to communicate these choices to someone at home. Please use this as a tool to celebrate the great choices your child has made, or as a tool to begin a conversation about what your child may work to change the next day.
Each student has a clothespin with his or her name printed on it in our classroom. These clothespins clip around a large stoplight. Every morning all students will have their clothespins on the green circle. However, as the morning progresses students may be asked to move their clothespin to the yellow or red circle depending on the behavior choices they make.
Green (Go!)- Student is doing an outstanding job by following directions the first time they are given. Student uses kind words with their friends and works to share and take turns when using supplies and classroom toys. Student models a “Give Me 5” body without being reminded, or with only 1 reminder. A “Give Me 5” body includes: eyes watching the speaker, ears listening, mouth quiet, hands in lap, and body still.
Yellow (Warning/Take a break)- Yellow acts as a warning, or reminder to the students to make a change and demonstrate “green” choices, as noted above. The student may choose to take a break, or may be asked by the teacher to move to the colored rug to take a break. When the student is ready (after 1-3 minutes), or can show the teacher they are able to make a change, they will rejoin the group.
Red (Stop)- A student who hits, kicks, or pushes will go directly to red. A student who does not make a change to demonstrate “green” choices, even after taking a break, will move to red. When a student moves their clothespin to red they will work with Mrs. Herdrich to write a note home explaining the choice they made, and what change they will make next time.
If a student makes a choice which causes the clothespin to move to yellow or red they will be asked: “What did you do that caused you to move to yellow or red? What choices will you make next time? Are you ready to try again?”
I feel this will be a great way to keep open communication between home and school, and therefore create a strong parent-teacher partnership to support your child. Please talk with your child about the chart that comes home each day. By signing your name each day, I will know you and your child talked about the day. Feel free to make any notes to me on this chart as well. |
Celebrating Birthdays:
Students may share a favorite book with the class in place of a birthday treat. Mrs. Herdrich will be happy to read the book to the class, or each child may invite one special person into the classroom to read the book. This may be mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, etc. Please contact Mrs. Herdrich ahead of time to arrange this reading sometime during the week of your child’s birthday. |
Snack:
Each child is responsible for bringing their own snack to school each day. Below is a list of acceptable snacks that are nutfree and dairy free. The purpose of this list is to make our classroom a safe place for all of the students. Therefore, please pay extremely close attention to the list when packing a snack so that we can safely continue having snack time in our classroom. Thank you for your help to make our classroom a safe place for all students.
Nutfree and Dairy Free Snack Ideas:
Fruit
Vegetables
Lenders and Thomas bagels
Fig Newtons
Kelloggs Cereal snacks: Corn Pops, Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks
Pretzels: Rold Gold are safe and so are most others (please check the label)
Wheat Thins: plain only
Club Crackers
Wheatables brand crackers
Ritz Crackers: no sandwich style
Animal Crackers: no frosted crackers
Fruit Roll-Ups
Fruit Snacks
Raisins
Saltine Crackers
Nabisco Graham Crackers
Honey Maid Graham Sticks
Honey Maid Graham Crackers
Teddy Grahams
Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars
Quaker Fruit Bites
Quaker Toastables
Quaker Crispins |
Dismissal:
If your child is going somewhere different from the normal after school plan, or if someone different is picking him or her up, please send a note to school. It is for your child’s own safety that I am aware of their destination at the end of each school day. Bus riders will be sent home on their normal bus route unless I receive a note informing me of alternate plans. |
Star of the Week:
Each child will have the opportunity to be the “Star of the Week” for one week during the school year. During your child’s week they may bring in some special treasures to share with the class like photos, vacation souvenirs, books, or craft projects. Guns or weapons are not permitted. We will not be sharing live pets in the classroom as some children may have allergies to certain animals. You will also have the opportunity to complete a Star of the Week poster with your child. This will be displayed in the classroom. You will be notified on the Friday before your child’s week begins with a note from Mrs. Herdrich. |
