Classroom management techniques are vital to a well run program. We are always looking for new ideas or variations of old ideas to enhance the positive aspects of any situation that we may encounter. To coincide with the push for "Character Education," we developed "The Promise." We say this at the bebining of every class.

"I promise to do my best and not hurt anyone, on the inside or the outside. So it has been spoken, so shall it be done."

The beauty of this promise is that all of our basic classroom rules are covered under the umbrela of the promise. At the beginning of the school year, we paralelled the promise to the Olympic Oath that the athletes pledge before the Games. We then discussed the meaning of each part of the promise and what situations might arise that the promise would cover. We have our students stand at attention, raise their right hand and repeat after us. At the end we also like to say "very cool!" and do some sort of interesting hand, or body movement that the students must also repeat. This ending changes and the students look forward to see what we will come up with!

The use of the promise is a great method of introducing the kindergarten students to the gym and to all of the various rules and regulations of operation. We ak the older students who remember the promise from last year to recite it to the group. Many of them ask if they can be the ones to lead the group. This is a great opportunity for the students who may not be as talented physically, to shine in front of the class.

The promise is a hit with the parents as well. We hold "Activity Nights" throughout the year for different grade levels. At the beginning of each of those nights, we ask the parents and students to repeat the promise before we begin the night's activities. These nights provide an excellent opportunity for the parents to view and participate in our physical education program. Now the parents have "promised" and are under the same expectations as well!

Another classroom management technique we use is "Compliment Time." This is a great cool down activity before the students go back to class. The students are seated on a large circle or in a scattered formation on the floor in "audience mode" (legs crossed, hands in the lap, and very quiet). We then ask if anyone has a compliment for someone. If a child has a compliment, they are asked to stand and say, "I would like to compliment..." and the child then states the particular person, group or team for their specific positive action they performed during the class. The recipient then responds with a thank you. We then move on to the next compliment. We also discuss and emphasize that it feels just as good to give a compliment as it does to receive a compliment. This activity offers a positive ending to any situation that may have occurred during class. The only problem is we often do not have enough time to hear all the compliments out loud. If this happens we then tell the students to go over to the student you woul d like to compliment and make sure you give your compliment while they line up to leave. The students really like this activity and often ask us at the beginning of class if we will have time for compliments today. Hopefully the idea of complimenting someone will carry over to their time outside of the gym as well!

If you want more information on these ideas, contact Laurie.