Behavior Management
Valley View Elementary uses a PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) plan which means we have universal expectations and terminology so that each child feels empowered that he or she will be making safe and appropriate choices throughout the building.
Each morning we pledge to SOAR: I will be Safe, On-task, have an Awesome attitude and be Respectful to myself and others everyday!
In the Classroom
These ideas are consistent in our first grade classrooms, too. Each teacher uses a class money system where students are paid "money" throughout the day for SOARing behavior. Praise is given to shape student expectations. Likewise, students may be "fined" when they exhibit behavior that does not SOAR.
Students use class money to buy privileges in our classroom. Some examples include: take your shoes off in the room, use a pen in class, read a book to another class, eat lunch with a friend, etc.
STAR Steps
We try to teach first graders to be independent and to solve most of their problems with their peers. We do this by teaching 5 steps to use when confronted with a situation. We encourage the first graders to use these steps at home, too!
* Step 1 - Ignore.
* Step 2 - Move away.
* Step 3 - Use KIND words like, "Please stop ___." (Tell the person what you want them to stop doing.)
* Step 4 - Use FIRM words like, "I said stop ___." (Tell the person what you want them to stop doing.)
* Step 5 - Get adult help.
We also teach students when it is appropriate to immediately go to Step 5 if someone's health or safety is in danger.
Each morning we pledge to SOAR: I will be Safe, On-task, have an Awesome attitude and be Respectful to myself and others everyday!
In the Classroom
These ideas are consistent in our first grade classrooms, too. Each teacher uses a class money system where students are paid "money" throughout the day for SOARing behavior. Praise is given to shape student expectations. Likewise, students may be "fined" when they exhibit behavior that does not SOAR.
Students use class money to buy privileges in our classroom. Some examples include: take your shoes off in the room, use a pen in class, read a book to another class, eat lunch with a friend, etc.
STAR Steps
We try to teach first graders to be independent and to solve most of their problems with their peers. We do this by teaching 5 steps to use when confronted with a situation. We encourage the first graders to use these steps at home, too!
* Step 1 - Ignore.
* Step 2 - Move away.
* Step 3 - Use KIND words like, "Please stop ___." (Tell the person what you want them to stop doing.)
* Step 4 - Use FIRM words like, "I said stop ___." (Tell the person what you want them to stop doing.)
* Step 5 - Get adult help.
We also teach students when it is appropriate to immediately go to Step 5 if someone's health or safety is in danger.