A Behavior Contract For the Classroom and Team Work Norms A Behavior Contract For the Classroom and Team Work Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL

Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL Creating Team Norms Norms put the ‘Golden Rule’ into Practice for Groups Norms are ground rules that a group follows. Norms are the rules that govern how we interact with each other, how we conduct business, how we make decisions, how we communicate, even how we dress when we get together. Writing norms helps create groups that are able to have honest discussions that enable everyone to participate and be heard. Norms are part of the culture. They exist whether or not you acknowledge them. We have found, and practice supports, that groups feel more ownership of the norms if they identify and write their own. We will be asking the members of your school team, your learning community, to suggest ideal behaviors for groups, and we will then refine those suggestions into a set of norms. It is important that your norms fit your group. Not every group would feel comfortable with the same set of rules, which is why each group must create its own rules. I have been involved in several groups that have established norms, and while some rules may appear on all of the lists of norms, no two lists are alike. Example: I worked with a group that was very chatty, very extroverted. Initially the group wanted a norm that banned side conversations. Two days into their work, the group was frustrated because the facilitator kept trying to enforce the norm against side conversations. Finally the group agreed to modify the norm to fit their unique personality. Their new norm was “If you need to make a comment, do so but return quickly to the main conversation.” Last Bullet: Norms are part of the culture. They exist whether or not you acknowledge them. I think it is better to acknowledge what the group thinks are the norms that influence how they communicate, how they conduct business. Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL

Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL Examples of Norms Be open and honest—say what you think and feel in the room, not the parking lot Be aware of your level of participation. Allow equal airtime for each member so the discussion is “fair share.” Listen to other’s perspectives Speak directly to the person(s) when there is a need to confront, challenge, disagree, etc. We will ask each group to begin creating their team norms in this work session. We ask that each team post their norms on the team Google Ste and title the page Team Norms. Note to Carla: Have Denise ask the school teams to create this page on their Google Site. At this point we will lead the team through the process of creating team norms. Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL

Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL More Examples of Norms Treat each person as an equal Begin on time and end on time. Have and follow an agenda Focus on the task. Record minutes. Set vested interests aside. Focus on being a change agent. We will ask each group to begin creating their team norms in this work session. We ask that each team post their norms on the team Google Ste and title the page Team Norms. Note to Carla: Have Denise ask the school teams to create this page on their Google Site. At this point we will lead the team through the process of creating team norms. Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL

Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL Publicizing the Norms Post the norms in the classroom. Enforcing the Norms Sometimes the toughest part of living with norms is enforcing them. You have to talk about violations and how you will deal with them. When you do not call attention to the violation of a norm, you are actually creating a second set of norms. After a group identifies its norms, we suggest asking how the group would like to be notified that they have violated a norm. I think it is better for our work if we create light, maybe even humorous, ways to point out violations. Perhaps you can keep a basket of foam rubber balls in the middle of the table. A violation of a norm would result in group members pelting the violator with the foam balls. I know of other groups who have used colored flags, cards or hankies. Having all group members taking responsibility for enforcing the norms is key. Reinforcing the norms should not be just the responsibility of the group leader., and definitely not the role of the school principal. Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL

Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL Evaluating the Norms Periodically evaluate the group’s adherence to the norms Give each group member an opportunity to speak about what he or she has observed, or take each statement and ask group members, “How well did we do with this norm?” Each member should identify the group’s strengths and weaknesses, but do not single out individual members. The more upfront you are about how the group is doing, the easier it will be to communicate about other issues you are dealing with. Bullet 2 is very important as is Bullet 3. Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL

Now- Create Class Norms Students discuss and create the NORMS for their class. Post the NORMS in the classroom where they can be seen. Abide by the NORMS. Created by cjwilliamson, modified by ranglin for Ph Deer PBL