Essential Agreements

​Essential agreements are usually one of the first things that I implement in my classroom.  They are the "rules" that the class lives by and reflects upon on a regular basis.  

One thing I learned from Kath Murdoch is to keep them short and few in number.  Put them in language that kids will understand and be able to apply.  This is imperative. 

Then, learners vote for their favorite ones.  The top five go on my essential agreemnts list.  Because my learners created and voted for them, they are more than likely going to follow them.  When they make mistakes, they will more than likely accept the consequence.  Why?  Because they had agency in writing them. 

I heard: Rules before relationships equals rebellion.  This is a tool that helps to build the class relationship.  The learners do all of the thinking and decision-making.  I am just a facilitator of the process.  I have no voice. 

​Truly genius. 

This is my list of essential agreements from my classroom.  They are posted on my door.