Whether your students help you develop rules or you write them and introduce them to your class, these wonderful books support a respectful classroom. They are also a powerful reference when the students need a reminder about some of the rules, which seems to happen around January/ February in my classroom... anyone else?!
Introducing WHY Classroom Rules are needed:
Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller: This book models the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. The otter thinks about how he would like other otters to treat him. This is a great way to start a conversation about what makes your students feel welcome and comfortable in the classroom. Asking your students, "How would you like other students to treat you?", is a natural lead-in to developing classroom rules that promote respecting each other and the classroom materials. I record their ideas on an anchor chart and keep it to refer back to throughout the year. Why? Do you ever get a new student (or three)? Do you have students travel for a month and return to your classroom like it is their first day? Revisiting this anchor chart reminds students how they were feeling in their first week. It can steer the conversation around supporting a new student who has these same concerns.
What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick Illustrated by Colleen Madden: This is a perfect book for explaining WHY classroom rules are necessary! This book uses examples like what if everyone just threw their trash on the ground, which is very relatable to the classroom. It can be entertaining yet powerful to make a list (or class book) of what-if situations that could occur in the classroom. What if everyone broke the crayons? What if everyone talked at the same time? What if everyone left their snack wrappers on the floor? (which still seems to happen very frequently! Those juice box straw wrappers are very sneaky!)
Respect the Classroom Environment and Classroom Materials:
David Goes to School by David Shannon: David has a difficult time learning what is expected at school. He chews gum, cuts in line, and throws food, just to name a few things! This book can fuel a conversation about what is expected and unexpected at school and how one's actions can impact others or the environment. The laughter that fills my classroom makes this book worth reading! One of my favorite activities is having my students write advice for David. They think he is so silly! They have no problem thinking of many tips for him to follow!
Purple, Green, and Yellow by Robert Munsch Illustrated by Helene Desputeaux: A hilarious book about the importance of using drawing materials on paper ONLY! The little girl always wants the newest kind of markers. She always promises that she will not draw on the walls or herself. She finally gets super permanent markers that "won't come off until you are dead and maybe even later," which she uses to color on herself and her dad! This was my favorite book as a child and my students love when I read this book aloud (several times per their request). It is a great title to begin a conversation about how to use and respect the classroom materials, although I still find myself saying, "markers are not nail polish!"
Include Others and Make Your Own Choices:
The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill Illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith: A school bully does not let anyone else play until she plays. A new student does not know the rule so she goes right for the swings and balls before the school bully. The bully is very upset but then the new girl simply asks her to play, something that was unheard of! They play together and quickly become friends, making recess fun for everyone! This book can be helpful not only for bullying but also when introducing recess rules. This book strikes up a powerful conversation about making your own choices at recess.
Respect and Listen to Others:
Lacey Walker Non Stop Talker by Christianne C. Jones Illustrated by Richard Watson: A quick read with a big message! Lacey is so busy talking all day and all night! She is so busy talking that she never has time to listen to anything around her until one day she loses her voice! When she can't talk she learns her friend is very funny and she likes watching movies. After reading I ask, What lesson do you think the author was trying to teach us? The great response that one of my students came up with was, "well we should listen to others because they can teach us things too." YES!
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes: A classroom essential that I am sure most K-2 teachers already have! I read this book several times in the first few months because there are so many powerful lessons that come out of this book. I love to use it as a model for accepting and respecting others in the classroom, however every child may get a different message from it! Here is one of our classroom rules that one of my students thought up: "Even if people make fun of you, you should believe in yourself." My heart melted! If only everyone thought like a 6 year old!
