This lesson plan is designed for the beginning of a school year. This lesson encourages collaboration, responsibility, and respect, setting a strong foundation for classroom management. Students practice speaking.

Outcomes: discuss and agree on behavioral expectations; develop ownership of class rules, increasing the likelihood of adherence; create and sign a class contract that will guide behavior throughout the term

Activity 1 Intorduction

Teacher explains the importance of a positive learning environment and how behavior can impact bot individuals and the group. Teacher introduces the idea of a class contract, emphasizing that students will decide on the rules. The purpose of this activity is to create a set of rules that everyone can follow to ensure a productive and respectful learning space.

Activity 2 What behaviors help us learn?

Group work: “What behaviors help us learn?” Students write down all the suggestions. Once the list is complete, students group similar ideas together and prioritize or narrow down the list to 5-7 key behaviors.

Activity 3 What Behaviors Distract Us from Learning?

Teacher asks “What kinds of behaviors distract or stop us from learning?” One student writes down on the blackboard examples as students share. After generating the list of distractions, students to think about how to turn these into positive rules. Example: If “interrupting others” is a distraction, the rule could be “Let others speak without interrupting.”

Activity 4 Drafting the Class Contract

Class work: based on the discussion, students write up a draft of the class rules with the students’ input. Example rules: Listen actively and respect others’ opinions. Raise your hand before speaking. Keep cell phones away during lessons. Arrive on time and be prepared for class. Complete all assignments on time.

Activity 5 Finalizing the Contract

Once the list of rules is agreed upon, students write or type them neatly onto a large poster or sheet of paper. Each student signs the contract as a way of showing commitment and responsibility to the agreed-upon rules. Teacher signs the contract as well to show mutual respect and commitment.

Activity 6 Assessment

Teacher observes and assesses students’ engagement in the discussion and their contributions to drafting the rules.