Warm-Up: Respect Brainstorm Blitz

Objective: Quickly surface student ideas about what respect looks and sounds like in our classroom.

Materials:

• Sticky notes (1 per student)
• Chart paper or whiteboard space

Instructions:

1. Distribute one sticky note to each student.
2. Prompt students: “Write one word or short phrase that comes to mind when you think of respect in our classroom.”
3. After 60 seconds, have students post their notes on a designated chart paper or board.
4. As a class, cluster similar ideas (e.g., listening, kindness, fairness).
5. Briefly highlight clusters to set the stage for our discussion.

Space for student work:

Classroom Contract Co-Creation

Objective: Collaboratively draft clear, positive norms around respect in small groups, then refine as a whole class.

Materials:

• Brainstorm clusters from Respect Brainstorm Blitz
• Chart paper or large poster sheets
• Markers or pens
• This discussion guide

1. Group Setup (2 minutes)

• Divide into 4–5 groups of 3–4 students.
• Assign each group one theme from the brainstorm clusters (e.g., Listening, Kindness, Personal Space, Fairness, Helping Others).
• Give each group a poster and markers.

2. Discuss & Explore (5–7 minutes)

Prompt each group to:
• Review your theme and vocabulary from the brainstorm.
• Talk about these questions:

• What specific actions show [your theme] in our classroom?
• When might someone NOT demonstrate this? How could we help them?
• How does this behavior make everyone feel?

Teachers can circulate, ask follow-ups:

• “Can you give an example from our class?”
• “What could a teacher or student say if this norm isn’t followed?”

3. Draft Norm Statements (8–10 minutes)

Each group writes 2–3 “We will…” statements.

Guidelines for strong norms:

• Start with We will…
• Use positive, action-based language
• Be specific and observable
• Keep it short and easy to remember

Example: “We will look at the speaker and wait our turn to talk.”

Space for your statements:

1. We will …
   
   
   
   
2. We will …
   
   
   
   
3. We will …
   
   
   
   

4. Gallery Share & Refine (8 minutes)

1. Post each group’s poster around the room.
2. Gallery Walk: Students rotate, read others’ drafts, and place a dot next to 1–2 statements they like best.
3. Return to your group and note patterns: Which statements got the most dots?
4. As a class, discuss:
   • Which statements are the clearest?
   • Are any too long or vague? How can we tweak them?
   • Do we need to combine similar statements?
5. Select the final 5–7 statements for our classroom contract.

5. Finalize & Display (3 minutes)

• Teacher or student volunteers write the selected norms on poster board or slide.
• Post the finished contract in a prominent spot.
• Remind everyone: We created these together—let’s hold each other to them!

Potential Follow-Up Questions:

• How do our norms help us feel respected and safe?
• What should we do if someone forgets a norm?
• How can we remind each other kindly?

Feel free to revisit and adjust these norms as our class grows and changes.

Cool-Down: One Word Reflection Prompt

Objective: Encourage students to reflect on their feelings about our new respect contract using just one word.

Materials:

• Index cards or small slips of paper
• Pencils or pens

Instructions:

1. Distribute one index card to each student.
2. Ask: “What one word best describes how you feel about our new respect contract?”
3. Have students write their word on the card.
4. Collect the cards to review and gauge the class’s feelings.

Space for student work:

One Word: ____________