I think that it's because it's our second year together (for most of us anyway) that our Class Code activity went so well. One of my teammates found this great resource to help the learners decide what rules or expectations they might want to include in a class code, and I loved the way it helped them think critically about how they wanted our class to run this year. Their first step was to independently brainstorm five rules they wanted our classmates to follow in order to create a safe and comfortable classroom environment. Then, I randomly paired them, and they worked with their partner to agree on four rules. Finally, each partner group paired up with another partner group, and as a group, they had to agree on the three rules that they felt were most important.
I enjoyed listening to the discussion that happened at the second and third steps. Some of them were very quick to agree on their rules, while others felt passionately about their ideas and had a hard time really listening to each other. I found myself thinking that I wished we already had a class code to reference while we were making our class code.
Once the learners had their three rules on their paper, we came together in our family meeting space and the learners shared their ideas.
This was our initial list after our first sharing session:
Ideas from Top Three List:
- Don’t laugh at others.
- Don’t be negative.
- Don’t use physical or verbal aggression.
- Treat supplies provided with care.
- Don’t be disruptive.
- Don’t throw a fit.
- The Golden Rule
- Don’t stack beanbags or “flexible seating” furniture.
- Help one another.
- Respect adults and other peers’ thoughts and ideas.
- Don’t lie.
- Don’t argue with adult or peers.
- Don’t gossip.
- Listen when others are talking and always include everyone.
Once we got to this point, it was time for a break in our schedule, which I felt was a good thing. I wanted the kids to have some time to think about our list so far and process.
The next morning we gathered in our family meeting space again and reread our list. From here, I asked the learners if there were any rules that they felt like were implied and didn't need to explicitly written out, and if there were any that could be combined or omitted. Since we were still in our family meeting, the learners used our passing object and took turns talking to each other. They used a hand sign to signal when they agreed with another classmate's idea and they raised their hand if they wanted someone to pass the talking object to them. I just edited our list (which was projected on the screen using Google Docs) and interjected to ask clarifying questions or to repeat what a learner said if I thought maybe everyone did hear.
I was so impressed with how maturely my learners behaved during this activity. They listened attentively and were focused on our task. They were polite and respectful when they shared whether they agreed or disagreed with another person's ideas, and they spoke clearly and effectively when they shared their own ideas. Plus, they had really outstanding ideas. It seems to me that they are learning to think empathetically and compassionately, and that they understand the importance of an environment that supports learning. My teacher heart was full for sure!
We decided on a final 5C Code during that class meeting. I love the way it turned out because it really speaks to how this group of learners thinks and works. You'll notice that it's organized into sub categories with "The Golden Rule" being the most emphasized rule.
I copied our class code onto bright neon paper so the learners could have a copy in their folders/agendas. (I got that idea from the same awesome teammate. How smart to have it readily available for the learners at all times.) I also printed a blank copy for our classroom, and each learner signed their name as a promise to follow our class code.
I've already referenced the things that they decided on a handful of times while they've been working in groups or during family meeting time. ("Don't create unnecessary noise pollution" may or may not have been repeated the most.) I'm really happy with how it turned out, and I hope it means a lot to the kids that they got to be a part of writing it.
