We started a new behavior plan yesterday called "Common Cents." Each student started the afternoon yesterday with 20 pennies. Each student will keep each of his or her pennies if classroom and school rules are followed and homework and assignments are turned in on time. Basically, if the students do what they are asked and expected to do, they will keep their pennies, and therefore earn certain priveleges.
If one of these rules is broken or an assignment is late or not turned in at all, the students will lose pennies, one at at time. The goal is to have a certain number of pennies by a few diffferent end-of-the year event dates:
10 pennies by May 11 to attend field day
7 pennies by May 17 to attend field trip
5 pennies by May 18 to attend 5th grade party
Obviously, "we're almost 6th graders" personalities have surfaced for some of our classmates. Many of our old behavioral plans are no longer working. We're losing focus, disrepecting one another and the adults in the building, and either not doing or not turning in homework (of course, this is NOT everyone). This plan is in place to show the 5th graders that the above events are not part of our curriculum, and therefore must be earned by each student.
Please enforce respect, focus, and preparedness with your child tonight. I've asked them for just a few more weeks! We've all worked so hard throughout the year that I'm hopeful we'll be able to end on a good note!
Thanks for your support with this new plan!
