4th and 5th grade

Ground Rules

created by Students

Mission

StatementSMART Goals

Quality Tools

CONTINUOUS

IMPROVEMENTClassroom Data Center

Classroom Meetings

Facilitated by

Students

Student-led

Conferences

Student

Data Folders

What? Guidelines that a classroom creates together, using quality tools

How? At the beginning of the year, discuss expectations and responsibilities with the students and together you create ground rules that everyone agrees on. (This can begin with a discussion of what “Quality” means)

Why? Climate of trust, students ownership, risk-taking, clear expectations, accountability, and a sense of community.

What? A statement that answers the questions:

-Who are we?-Why are we here?-How are we going to accomplish it?

How? Brainstorming using an Affinity Diagram and the Nominal Grouping tools.

Why? Creates shared purpose for everyone involved in the learning environment.

…their mission

statement!

4th grade used an Affinity

Diagram to build…

S pecific, strategic

M easurable

A ttainable

R esults-oriented

T ime-bound

What? Goals that focus on the most

critical areas of achievement.

SMART goals should be:

How? Identify targets based on your students’ needs and baseline data. (Behavioral/Academic)

Why? To establish clear expectations tied to our Mission Statement. The goals of our district, school, classroom, and individual students are all aligned with each other.

What? A central location where all the

data is displayed and used

interactively by the students.

How? Display Mission, Ground Rules,

Classroom SMART goals, and

Quality Tools

Why? Creates ownership and

accountability; visual reminder of

their progress and goals

What? An individual folder/binder in which

students track their progress

according to their goals

How? Teacher helps students set individual

goals in various areas. They track

their progress using graphs. (Start

small, with one student!)

Why? Creates ownership and accountability;

Visual reminder/motivator of their

progress and goals

What? Graphic organizers for a specific purpose.

How? Select an appropriate quality tool designed for the purpose you need. Then complete the tool with your class.

Why? -Collect and analyze data -Identify the root causes of problems

-Make decisions Implement changes based on data

-Take ownership and responsibility for learning

Creating a mission and quality lunch room using different tools

We the 5th grade class, are here to eat and play by being quality kids, following the rules, and listening in order to nourish our brains/bodies and enjoy a break from learning.

What? A student-led meeting

How? Use a prescribed agenda with gradual release of responsibility from teacher to students

Why? To discuss classroom issues, solve problems, share celebrations in an organized and safe environment

What? Conference with parents, led by the student, with the teacher as a facilitator

How? Students lead parents through a discussion of their work, using their data folder). Usually, several conferences occur at the same time.

Why? Students become more motivated, reflective, and evaluative in their work. Teachers, students, and parents communicate as equal partners about student achievement.