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Why Do We Need Rules?

Main Core Tie

Social Studies - Kindergarten
Standard 2 Objective 1

Group Size

Large Groups

Authors

Rebecca Moffat
Lindsey Romero
Stephanie Seely
Connie Sorensen
TOM SUTTON

Summary

Students will learn about rules and help develop a set of classroom rules to use all year long.


Materials

Literature:

  • Know and Follow Rules by: Cheri J. Meiners ISBN: 1575421305
Other Materials:
  • Chart paper or Whiteboard
  • Markers


Background for Teachers

Teachers need to know what rules and expectations they want to have in place and how they will manage these rules in their classroom before beginning this lesson.


Student Prior Knowledge

Rules are important because.....(have the student help generate a list or the importance of rules).


Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Follow classroom and school rules.

2. Treat others with fairness and kindness.

3. Demonstrate appropriate behavior.

4. Demonstrate problem solving skills.


Instructional Procedures

As a class during the first week of school, read the story Know and Follow Rules. Talk about the characters in the book and what happened to them when they chose to follow the rules, and when they chose not to follow the rules. Discuss with the students what rules they think are important at school (to help them take ownership of their future classroom rules). Talk about rules in different settings ("Are school rules the same as rules at home? Are the classroom rules the same as the school rules?").

After discussing the rules in the story and comparing and contrasting rules at home and school, have the class help you generate a set of 5 or less classroom rules. Create simple hand gestures or actions to go with each of the different rules (i.e.: Put your hand up to your ear for listen, and move your hand like it is talking for the rule "Listen when others are talking.").

Have the children recite the classroom rules they helped to develop as a part of your daily routine, as well as display the classroom rules, with picture helpers, to remind the students of classroom expectations.


Strategies for Diverse Learners

Use picture cards to reinforce the model behaviors you are teaching for ELL students.


Extensions

Attachments

  1. Make a class book with photographs and child illustrations showing students following the classroom rules. Place the book in the classroom library for students to reread.
  2. To help combat "Tattle Tales", teach the students the phrase "T.C.O.Y." (Take Care of Yourself). Encourage the students to be in control of their own choices and behaviors, and not to worry about the choices and actions of others. Remind them to always "T.C.O.Y."
  3. Create a classroom "Wheel of Choice" to help students learn to solve their own problems (see attached).


Created: 06/16/2010
Updated: 02/05/2018
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