Answering Your Questions: What Should I See in Classrooms Implementing CSC?

I fielded this question from a principal in a district new to Caring School Community® (CSC). I shared what principals who have implemented CSC for a year or more have said when I asked them the same question. Here’s what they said someone might see in CSC classrooms:

• Class Meeting rules are posted in each classroom (e.g., "One person talks at a time," "Look at the person who is talking," or "When mentioning problems say 'people' instead of using names").
• Classes know how to move efficiently to a circle for class meetings.
• Anchor charts from meetings are present in the room (e.g., norms for the classroom or behavior they are using on the playground).
• Students use Caring School Community language (e.g., “I agree with ___ because…”).
• Teachers use “Turn to Your Partner” and other cooperative structures throughout the day.

I also mentioned the two principals who reported that the CSC rule of not naming names has made its way into their offices when behavior issues arise. Students are saying “someone” instead of naming other children in disputes.

Don’t forget that there are observation forms in the Leader’s Kit to help you know what class meetings and cross-age buddies might look like.

At Your School

What other things have you seen at this point in the year?

Ginger Cook is the Manager of State and District Partnerships at Developmental Studies Center.