Reviewing the Rules

photo by Photo by Gautam Arora on Unsplash

Have you reviewed the rules yet?

The first week back in January can be daunting. Kids have had a vacation from the structure of the classroom, so they are a bit (a lot) rusty on rules and routines. Sharing with others is challenging for some kids. This is truer in pre-k and kindergarten than any other grade level. So, how to approach re-learning the rules?

Play Games!!!

Games are great rule reinforcing activities! Some of my favorites are:

Pass the Bucket: For this game, explain that students can “phone” a friend (hold a pretend phone to your ear) if they need help. Students learn, waiting quietly for their turn, how to be a helper, how to accept help (and that it’s okay to ask), and how to take care of supplies after the game is finished. Students will want to use this as a center too!

Place task cards for whatever subject you need to review in a seasonal bucket.
Students sit in a circle.
Student chooses a card, answers, then passes the bucket to the next friend. (remind them to “phone” a friend if they need help–this is a teachable moment too).
Go all the way around the circle until the last student has answered, then put all of the cards back in the bucket.
Add some cute snowflake cards too, so everyone can jump up and float like a snowflake when those cards are drawn. This keeps them watching each student’s draw.

Need a game to play? Here you go! This one features matching with a partner if you play as in the game described in this post.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snowman-Sight-Word-Game-2955945
Need an editable set? **Join my email list to get a FREE editable card game.**
https://mailchi.mp/dd76e6d5c65d/january

Books for Reviewing the Rules

I love opportunities to share good books with my students. Here are some of the best ones for helping kids get back into the swing of following the rules:

For a good “basic” review of your classroom rules, this is a great one!

This is one of my all time faves! Consequences are focused on in this story, where a little dinosaur learns how to be considerate of others’ feelings.

I LOVE this book! The focus is on how to deal with bullying, finding friends, and an understanding there is someone just right for you!

This is a wonderful book that allows you to teach short lessons each day that focus on different aspects of behavior. It would be great paired with anchor/t-charts featuring Yes I Should/ No, I Should Not, etc.

Take Home Book about Following the Rules

Two or three years ago, I saw an increasing need to focus on rules review after we returned to school in January. This is what I ended up creating. It has been very helpful, and allows kids to practice fine motor and decision-making skills. Grab it from my store!

This can be read, then placed in your writing center for kids to trace and read the words.

It features trace/read pages for your writing center…

and…CUTE little rules posters to refer to on your wall!

Out of the archives…

Here is a post from way back in 2013 from the original dot.com. This little winter book is free, and a great way to study seasonal cycles for this time of year! Have a great year!!!

Here are some Oldy-but-Goody FREEBIES from the original MKC dot.com days! January mini-book and Animals of the Arctic Reader

Happy January!!