5 Finger Covenant (Classroom Rules)
On the first day of school, I will introduce the 5 finger covenant to my students. The way in which I will introduce it is explained in the First Day of School Plan, Agenda tab.
1. Give Encouragement - The students are encouraged to give positive affirmations to one another. Together, we'll come up with some examples of encouragement, and I'll reinforce the importance of giving encouragement to each other.
2. Listen to Direction - The students will be expected to listen to direction coming from me and coming from each other (when appropriate). When it is one person's turn to talk, it will be expected that the other students are listening carefully to what the speaker has to say.
3. No Zingers - A zinger is a put down, or anything that can hurt another person's feelings. A zinger can be something a person says with his or her mouth or does with his or her body. My class will be expected to refrain from using any form of zingers. Instead of zingers, the students should encourage one another and build each other up. In the diagram of the hand position for the "no zingers" sign, the middle finger (which represents a zinger) is down, and three other fingers are up. When a student makes a verbal or physical zinger against someone else, that student will be expected to say three nice things about the person they were unkind to.
4. Be Engaged - The students should aim to be actively involved in each learning exercise. Because the classroom will be a safe place where students can feel free to make mistakes, it is expected that students will participate in each activity to the best of their ability. They should give each assignment all of their effort, and should complete all the assignments on time.
5. Be Responsible - As upper elementary students, they will have an increased responsibilities that will help prepare them for middle school. Students will need to keep track of assignments, due dates, personal possessions, etc.
2. Listen to Direction - The students will be expected to listen to direction coming from me and coming from each other (when appropriate). When it is one person's turn to talk, it will be expected that the other students are listening carefully to what the speaker has to say.
3. No Zingers - A zinger is a put down, or anything that can hurt another person's feelings. A zinger can be something a person says with his or her mouth or does with his or her body. My class will be expected to refrain from using any form of zingers. Instead of zingers, the students should encourage one another and build each other up. In the diagram of the hand position for the "no zingers" sign, the middle finger (which represents a zinger) is down, and three other fingers are up. When a student makes a verbal or physical zinger against someone else, that student will be expected to say three nice things about the person they were unkind to.
4. Be Engaged - The students should aim to be actively involved in each learning exercise. Because the classroom will be a safe place where students can feel free to make mistakes, it is expected that students will participate in each activity to the best of their ability. They should give each assignment all of their effort, and should complete all the assignments on time.
5. Be Responsible - As upper elementary students, they will have an increased responsibilities that will help prepare them for middle school. Students will need to keep track of assignments, due dates, personal possessions, etc.
Show Respect - When all five rules are followed, the students and the teacher will feel respected. It will be our goal to show respect to each other by abiding by the guidelines listed in the five finger covenant.
The 5 Finger Covenant idea is adapted from:
SpringHill Camps. (2012). Evart, MI.
The theory behind the 5 finger covenant is adapted from:
Thompson, J.G. Discipline Survival Kit for the Secondary teacher. (1998). Jossey-Bass.
Thompson, J.G. Discipline Survival Kit for the Secondary teacher. (1998). Jossey-Bass.