What is the Social Contract?
The Social Contract is a way to manage classroom behavior by building foundations of positive relationships between classmates and the teacher. The Social Contract are non-negotiable "rules" that the class develops and agrees to follow. Each student and teacher is accountable to that contract while they are in the classroom. The Social Contract follows four main criteria:
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How do you want to be treated by the teacher?
How do you want to be treated by each other?
How do you want the teacher to be treated by the student(s)?
How do you want to treat each other when there is a social conflict?
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By following this social contract, the students are encouraged to develop skills needed to take them from a minimum mindset of "just getting by" and working to create a "growth mindset" of what comes tomorrow. I will work with students to affirm and encourage others while creating an environment for people in which they feel safe to share and participate. I will help students realize that they have self control when it comes to sudden impulses as it relates to difficult situations and/or people. The Social Contract will work to develop skills students will need to take the initiative in relationships and be able to walk into unfamiliar situations and initiate conversation. Together, we will increase each students ability to expect the best to happen and to always look on the bright side of things, even in difficult situations. Students will focus on finding solutions to problems, rather than looking to place blame. Finally, my goal is for students to demonstrate a deep concern for others and their future. Students should be able to take the abstract concept of "concern" for people and translate it into life-impacting behaviors.
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This social contract is the first step in the classroom disciplinary system.
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