by Maurna Rome
Long gone are the days of “Don’t do this or that or the other thing” lists of classroom rules. At least I hope they are long gone… The influence of “responsive classroom,” greater awareness of the power of being positive and much research on effective classroom management have ushered in a new approach to establishing expectations in our schools. Most educators know that in order to learn, there has to be order in the court. Most educators know that “buy in” from the kids is the shortest route to arrive at the destination. Most educators know that it is a worthwhile investment of time and energy to lay a solid foundation at the start of each school year that incudes discussion about goals, hopes and dreams (see First Six Weeks of School, Responsive Classroom).
Yet after 24 years (this year marks the beginning of my 25th !) I have just recently realized how much easier it will be to establish and reinforce the shared classroom agreements we will be creating using some of my favorite literary treasures. My vision includes a fair amount of “guided discovery,” AKA, I know what I want the outcome to be but I want the kids to feel like they have come up with it on their own. Here’s my plan…
The 31 letters are scrambled on the wall. This invitation is posted above.
Dear Students,
Please think about the kind of classroom where cool kids make
awesome things happen every day. A place where we are all making
our hopes and dreams come true. The type of environment where
learning and looking out for each other are the name of the game.
Using the 31 letters below, can you help build the 9 words that will
guide us as shared agreements on this wonderful journey together?
Thanks! Mrs. Rome
My hope is that my students will think, discuss and work together to take 31 letters and turn them into our classroom creed containing just nine words. Nine powerful words that when combined become five simple and short, yet powerful sentences. Just 31 letters that will guide us all year long as we design and navigate the roadmap to success in our 4th/5th grade Humanities classroom.
Be safe. Be kind. Work hard. Have fun. Grow.
These nine powerful words encompass all that I hope to accomplish with each one of my 50 scholars in the coming year. I am convinced that this mantra is something we can all agree on. Bringing these words to life, making them a part of our daily actions and most importantly, what we feel compelled to do in our hearts, is another order of business. A tall order of business. Yet this IS my business… to keep kids safe, to help them be kind and develop a strong work ethic, to experience joy as often as possible, and always, to cultivate their talents so they can grow and develop.
As is most often the case, when I find myself searching for wisdom from a reliable friend, I turn to the vast collection of books in our classroom library. As I begin my 25th year as an educator, I marvel at just how important my books and the lessons they provide are. Allow me to share how my treasures — picture books and chapter books — will pave the way to creating our classroom community in Room 123.
I will begin by sharing some of my favorite picture books, stories that can be shared in the first week or two of the new school year to help us establish the importance of our 31 letters. I don’t hesitate to read aloud these books that are usually reserved for the younger crowd, because I know that the big kids benefit from picture books just as much. The insights and discussions that come from these terrific titles help my students learn more about how our shared agreements will support our learning. The chapter books will unfold over days, weeks, months, yet again, the stories will illustrate how those 31 letters take our fictional friends through many life lessons.
At this very moment, educators all across the country are carefully planning or presenting lessons that are designed to promote enthusiasm for reading. At the same time, those dedicated individuals are working on building a positive classroom community. Most educators know that the right book in the hands of the right kid can make an enormous difference. Some of us even believe books have the ability to changes lives. I am grateful to know, love, and share these books with my colleagues.
The Huge Bag of Worries by Virginia Ironside
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Be Kind
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Work Hard
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman and Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Have Fun
Wumbers (or anything by Amy Krause Rosenthal)
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Christopher Grabenstein
Grow
Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg and Beautiful Hands by Kathryn Otoshi
Wonder by RJ Palacio