Mr+Moran's+rules


 * [[image:about-pukekohe:HILLlogo3.jpg caption="Room 19 Home"]] ||
 * Room 19 Home ||

toc = Why have all these rules? = = = = Note to parents, Whānau and caregivers  = I have based these rules on my own observations of classroom life, and on ideas from American educators, [|Ron Clark] and [|Tom Daly]. We do expect a great deal from modern kids, and they are asked to think now in ways that we did not come across until adulthood. My aim with these seemingly old-fashioned rules is to provide support and structure to their day. Once this is established, kids are capable of the most amazing achievements, and this is what I want for my class. I encourage you to follow up some of these ideas at home, where possible, so that the children can see consistency between school and home. The children are not expected to memorise all of these rules, however they will have access to these rules online and in a booklet and they are expected to know of them. Most of these rules are just common sense anyway, and most likely match your expectations for them.
 * Mr Moran’s  Rules for School  **
 * In the past you may have been told that children of your age cannot cope with too many rules. I think that you can, and not only that, you will feel happier because you will know what to do in most classroom situations.
 * You will find that I have high expectations of you both in schoolwork and your behaviour. These sensible rules will help you to be successful at school.
 * Now that you are getting older, you need to start thinking of other people as well as yourself. Many of these rules are made to help you think of others first. In the old days we called that “manners”.
 * I believe that many of the thinking skills you are learning to use don’t work properly until you are able to think about other people and their needs and feelings.
 * If you learn these rules, they will help you do well at home too. People are always more willing to help children that show respect.
 * If you know what the right thing to do is, you will like yourself better.

These rules also link to our Hill School Virtues. = ** Respect for people: ** = = = = Respect for property  = =  = =   = =  Classroom behaviour  = = ** Respect yourself. ** = = =  People have put a lot of work into you and will continue to do so for most of your life. Having self-respect and looking after yourself is a way of honouring those who have put so much into you. =  = =  Computer use  = While computers are only part of school life, they are an increasingly important part of our whole lives. As computers become more part of the way we communicate with each other, it is really more about people than technology. Knowing your “computer manners” is a valuable skill.
 * 1)  Boys: Ladies first. This is an old fashioned rule, but it helps you to think of others first. Girls: Show grace when you are allowed to go first. Do not taunt those who have shown you courtesy.
 * 2)  Treat other people like you want to be treated. If you give respect, you will get respect.
 * 3)  Hold the door for people who are coming through immediately after you. Do not wait to be asked to hold the door for a teacher.
 * 4)  Learn the names and titles of all the teachers in school. If you show respect to all teachers, you will find life at school to be very pleasant.
 * 5)  Always say “please” and “thank you” when asking for and receiving things.
 * 6)  When delivering messages do not “dump and run”. Take time to politely greet the person. Do not interrupt them if they are already speaking with someone. Walk quietly through their office or classroom.
 * 7)  Do not deliberately touch anybody else during lessons (unless it is a PE lesson that requires it). Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
 * 8)  Wet day monitors give up their lunchtime to look after you. You will show them courtesy at all times. I will back them up 100% if you are disrespectful or if you misbehave.
 * 9)  When another adult is talking to me during class time, you remain quiet. This is __not__ an opportunity to start your own discussions.
 * 10)  Respect other student’s comments opinions, and ideas. When we are brainstorming or discussing a topic some of the most interesting ideas might seem silly at the time. Never be afraid to share your ideas.
 * 11)  If you win, do not skite; if you lose do not show anger. This is called good sportsmanship.
 * 12)  Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.
 * 13)  Do not show disrespect with gestures. For example: sneering, “speak to the hand”, turning away from the speaker, or eyebrow twitches.
 * 14)  Do not ask for a reward. Occasionally I will give rewards for excellence in performance or behaviour. Asking for one will instantly disqualify you.
 * 15)  When a relief teacher is in, all the class rules still apply. I will check with the teacher on your behaviour.
 * 16)  Greet visitors to the class and make them feel welcome. Always thank them for their visit at the end.
 * 17)  Do not stare at a student who is being told off. I will provide all the punishment they need, don’t make it worse for them by being nosey. Think how you would feel (refer rule number 2).
 * 18)  During shared lunches or any time you are being offered food, take only your fair share (also remember rule number 1 – Ladies first).
 * 19)  If someone bumps into you, say, “excuse me”, even if it was not your fault.
 * 20)  If someone drops something and you are close to it, pick it up and politely return it to them.
 * 1)  Do not take anything that doesn’t belong to you.
 * 2)  No tucking knees in shirts or jerseys. They will stretch, and not work very well.
 * 3)  Look after your pencils. Sharpen them before the school day starts. Do not deliberately break them.
 * 4)  Do not use your exercise books for anything except their purpose. Do not doodle in your schoolbooks.
 * 5)  Do not use maths equipment for wet-day lunch play.
 * 6)  Zip up your bags in the cloak bay. Do not leave your belongings on the floor, or go home without tidying them up.
 * 7)  Always return borrowed items immediately after use.
 * 8)  Do not bring valuable items to school. I cannot guarantee their safety.
 * 9)  Do not rock back in your chairs. They can be damaged, and so can you.
 * 10)  Do not use the white board markers unless you are asked to as part of a lesson.
 * 1)  No hats on in class.
 * 2)  Do not sit or stand on tables.
 * 3)  Raise one hand quietly to ask or answer a question. Do not wave like a drowning person or make gorilla noises. Most especially DO NOT CALL OUT.
 * 4)  Do not speak while another person is speaking __at all__. Interrupting either students or teachers will result in instant punishment. DO NOT CALL OUT.
 * 5)  You may make a “T” symbol with your hands if you need to be excused for the toilet. Don’t bother asking to go straight after play or lunchtime, you know why.
 * 6)  Do not fiddle during “mat time”. If you truly cannot keep still (you have a medical condition, for example) quietly ask for a stress ball. This must not be thrown, rolled or given to anyone else.
 * 7)  Subject changes will be quick, quiet and neat.
 * 8)  Absolutely no tackle or ball games are to be played inside the classroom. Anyone wrestling, or pretending to wrestle will face immediate consequences.
 * 9)  Do not speak or call out to friends at an assembly.
 * 10)  When walking through the school: Walk, don’t run. Remain quiet; other classes may still be working. Stay in an orderly line.
 * 11)  Do not cut in line. Stay in the position you arrived in, particularly on sausage sizzle or ice-cream days. Do not save positions for your friends.
 * 12)  If the teacher is late back from play or lunch (Often duties or meetings keep teachers from getting there before you) quietly choose a book and read silently at your desk until they arrive.
 * 13)  When asked to line up, do so quickly and quietly. Make one straight line, do not jostle for position, shove or argue about where you want to be.
 * 1)  Keep your uniform clean and tidy.
 * 2)  Brush your hair and teeth before you come to school.
 * 3)  Choose healthy food. If for any reason you cannot have three meals a day, make sure that you at least have a good breakfast.
 * 4)  Get to bed at a good time. For kids your age 7:30 – 9:00pm is about right. School is hard; you will need rest to be able to cope with it. Do not get into the habit of watching late night movies. They are not age appropriate for you, and you will get no sympathy from me if you are drowsy in class.
 * 5)  Wash yourself regularly (once a day is best). You will smell better, and stay healthier.
 * 6)  Know where your things are. I don’t mind if your desk is a little messy, so long as you can quickly find your books and stationery.
 * 7)  Be positive and enjoy life!
 * 8)  Carpe diem (seize the day). Make the most of every moment.
 * 9)  Stand up for what you believe in. Stick to what you know is right. Treasure your own culture – this helps you to understand others as well.
 * 10)  Learn from your mistakes and move on. Our most valuable lessons happen when we get it wrong and then try again. Thomas Edison considered himself successful when it took 2000 tries to get the light bulb to work. He found out 1999 ways not to make a light bulb.
 * 11)  Always be honest, no matter what. Even if you make a really bad mistake, I will always help you to fix it if you are honest and take responsibility.
 * 1)  Computers are off limits during lunchtime, unless the teacher is present and has allowed you to use them.
 * 2)  Do not try to enter websites that the school says are no good (for example, bebo, you-tube, u-tube, wrestling sites or anything of that kind). Every class is digitally tracked for security reasons.
 * 3)  Do not use the “blue desktop”. This is for teachers only. The red screen is for students.
 * 4)  Do not print personal photos, pictures, web searches or emails. This must be done at home.
 * 5)  When researching a topic, do not print out an entire web page. Instead, copy and paste only the information that you want into a word document. Also copy and paste the web address of where you got the information.
 * 6)  Learn how to write emails properly. Anything you email can be read by anyone.
 * 7)  No food or drink near the computers.
 * 8)  Do not hit the hard drive casing or keyboard. It will not go any faster for being slapped about. Do not try to get it to start faster by continually tapping the keys. Do not touch or lick the screen (yes, it has happened).
 * 9)  Be fair about your time on the computer. Most times there will be people waiting to use it after you.
 * 10)  When using a networked computer in another class:
 * Always show courtesy to the teacher, never talk or have loud sound effects going.
 * If one of their class members needs the computer, you must let them use it and come back to our class.
 * Never print in another class, save it and print it when you get back.
 * When you are finished, log out from our class profile and log back in as the room number you are in.

This contract was printed at the back of the school rules so that kids could be accountable for having read them, and also sharing them with their family. So far, responses from parents have been positive, and some other teachers have used and adapted these rules for their own class. **

My contract: ** 1. I ___, have been through these rules with Mr. Moran in class and I understand them.__ __ 2.  I understand that breaking these rules has consequences. 3. I promise to keep this booklet in my desk during the school year for easy reference. 4. I have taken this booklet home for my parents/whanau/caregivers to see, and they will help me do the right things. Date: __ Signed: ___