Be a Londonderry Leader!

            At Londonderry, we are starting to learn about The Seven Habits of Happy Kids (by Steven Covey). Each month, we will discuss a new habit, and we will incorporate ongoing Londonderry (and classroom) guidelines into the 7 habits. 

September: Be Proactive -- You're in Charge

October: Begin With the End in Mind -- Have a Plan

November: First Things First -- Work First, Then Play

December: Think Win-Win -- Everyone Can Win

January: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood -- Listen Before You Talk

February:  Synergize -- Together is Better

March:  Sharpen the Saw -- Balance is Best

 

R. E. S. P. E. C. T.

            All fifth grade students are taught about how most behavior choices fall under the guiding principle of respect. This involves:

R  Respect

E  Each other

S  Self

P  Property

E  Environment

C  Collaboration

T  Thoughts

        Students are expected to show respect for all of these areas in their choices at school. If they make a choice that is not respectful, they will be asked to take a break in order to pause and reflect before rejoining the class and getting back to work. If another choice is made that doesn't show respect, students will take another break to fill out a Fix-It Ticket, which will hopefully help them pull together their thoughts on the choice they made and how it can be prevented in the future. Later, they'll meet with a teacher to discuss the Fix-It Ticket, and they will take it home to show their grown-ups how they are striving to make better choices! We fifth grade teachers are excited to know that our students will help form a community of respect so that everyone can learn and be happy at school.

Falcon PRIDE!

            PRIDE is Londonderry’s (and Lower Dauphin's) behavior guideline.  We want all students to take PRIDE in themselves, their work, and their school.  Each trimester this year we will be celebrating 1-2 students who succeed in one or more of these five areas:

P = Perseverance

R = Respect

I = Integrity

D = Discipline

E = Excellence

Show Your PRIDE

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.

2. Respect yourself and others.

3. Raise your hand when you’d like to speak, and wait to be called on.

4. Be ready to learn.

5. Follow all school rules at all times.

If students do not follow the rules then they may lose a "tally."  Students can earn tallies by showing exceptional PRIDE behaviors. Tallies can also be earned in other ways (completing homework, winning classroom games, etc.), and may be redeemed in a class store for intermittent treats, such as lunch in the classroom (or in the courtyard), trinkets, candy, opportunity for show and tell, PJ day, etc.

 
I believe time to play at recess is vital for students' development. Nevertheless, it is occasionally unavoidable that students must make up work during this time. In these rare situations, I try to keep them inside for no more than half of the regular recess period.