Brown Owl's classroom rules are simple, but effective.
I have chosen first person statements (My eyes are looking. My lips are closed) instead of third person orders or imperatives (Your eyes should be looking at me! Close your lips!) for a particular reason.
When children repeat the rules with me, e.g. ‚I put up my hand to speak', they apply directly to them. They are making themselves accountable. It simply doesn't make sense to say: ‚I sit quietly' and at the same time not to.
We chant these rules together at regular intervals during lessons, in particular when I need their full attention: My eyes are looking. My ears are listening. My arms are folded. I put up my hand to speak. My feet are still. My lips are closed. N.B. My lips are closed should always come at the end otherwise they can't say the rules with me.
I first introduce my rules in Class 1 and in a simplified form: ‚My eyes are looking' is simply ‚eyes looking'. At this stage pupils copy my actions to go with the rules, but don't speak.
In Class 2 we progress to full statements, i.e. ‚My eyes are looking.' and I introduce the PICTURE CARDS depicting Brown Owl sticking to the rules. They like the idea of Brown Owl being at school too!
In Class 3 I finally introduce the WRITTEN WORD. By now they know the phrases off by heart and find it relatively easy to read them. The rules are displayed in the classroom and I can refer to them if and when needed.
I have separate WORD CARDS & PICTURE CARDS which can be used for matching activities or to mix up the cards to test them.
In Class 3 I also get them to fill out the WORDMAT and sign it too. It's a form of contract. They know what I expect of them and they promise to obey by my rules. To fill out the missing words on the wordmat I distribute the flashcards in the room and they can memorise the words before going back to their seats and writing them down.
I use the pairs game, dominoes, noughts & crosses and worksheets as a way to consolidate reading the rules. The wordmat can also be used for a game of bingo. Children simply select three rules by placing items from their pencil case on them.
I have also created STAR SITTER certifcates so that pupils who stick to Brown Owl's classroom rules can be rewarded/praised.
Brown Owl is the star of my rhyming picture book series
'Read and Rhyme with Brown Owl'. For more information about my rhyming picture books visit:
www.readandrhyme.at
Have fun reading & rhyming with Brown Owl! 🦉
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