Create a Back to School Treatment Agreement with Your Students

As we gear up for another school year, a treatment agreement might be just what you need to set the stage for a positive and productive classroom environment. This simple yet powerful tool can help establish clear expectations and promote mutual respect in your elementary classroom.

What is a Treatment Agreement?

A treatment agreement is a set of guidelines created collaboratively by teachers and students that outlines how everyone in the classroom should treat each other.

It’s all about setting the tone for respect, responsibility, and cooperation. In an elementary setting, this agreement helps students understand the importance of their actions and words, and it empowers them to contribute to a positive learning environment.

  • Teacher → Student
  • Student → Teacher
  • Student → Student
  • Class → Guest

Benefits of a Treatment Agreement

Creating a treatment agreement offers numerous benefits:

  • For Students: It helps them feel valued and respected, knowing their voices matter. They learn to articulate their needs and expectations and understand the importance of a respectful community.
  • For Teachers: It provides a clear reference point for addressing behavior issues and fosters a sense of consistency and fairness in the classroom. Plus, it makes classroom management more manageable, especially during the busy back-to-school period.

Steps to Creating a Treatment Agreement

  1. Introduce the Concept: Begin by explaining what a treatment agreement is and why it’s important. Use simple language and relatable examples to make it easy for your elementary students to grasp.
  2. Collaborative Creation: Involve your students in brainstorming the terms of the agreement. Ask them how they would like to be treated by their peers and teachers. This process not only gives students ownership of the agreement but also encourages them to think critically about their behavior.
  3. Make a Poster: Once you’ve gathered your students’ ideas, it’s time to make a visual representation of your treatment agreement. Here are a couple of fun and engaging ideas:
    • Post-It Note Poster: Write each agreed-upon rule or guideline on a separate Post-It note. Have students write or draw their own contributions on additional Post-It notes. Arrange these on a large piece of poster board or butcher paper, creating a colorful and dynamic display. This allows for easy updates if you need to add or revise any part of the agreement later.
    • Handprint Agreement: Trace each student’s hand on a piece of colorful paper, and have them write or draw one key rule inside their handprint. This can symbolize each student’s commitment to the agreement. Display the handprints around the core rules you’ve written on the poster. It’s a creative way to make each student feel personally invested in the agreement.
    • Keep it Simple: Write it on the board, take a picture, and print out the picture for each of the students to glue into their notebook!
  4. Display and Refer Back: Display your treatment agreement prominently in the classroom. Regularly refer to it to reinforce the expectations and remind students of the commitments they made.

Great Read Alouds for the First Week of School

Treatment Agreement Read Alouds

Incorporating read alouds into the first week of school is a fantastic way to set the tone for the year and reinforce the values outlined in your treatment agreement. Here are some wonderful books that focus on themes of respect, kindness, and cooperation—perfect for elementary classrooms:

Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller

This charming book uses otters to illustrate the “Golden Rule” of treating others how you would like to be treated. It’s a great conversation starter about respect and empathy, helping students understand the importance of kindness in the classroom.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

A classic choice for teaching the concept of kindness and positive interactions. This book introduces the idea that everyone has an invisible bucket, which can be filled or emptied by our actions and words. It’s a fantastic way to encourage students to be “bucket fillers” and promote a caring classroom environment.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

This story is about a girl named Unhei, who moves to America and struggles with her classmates’ reactions to her Korean name. The book explores themes of identity, acceptance, and respect for others’ differences—an excellent choice for fostering an inclusive classroom culture.

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson

A fun and engaging story that teaches about friendship, misunderstandings, and resolving conflicts. It’s a great way to discuss how misunderstandings can be resolved through communication and understanding, aligning perfectly with a classroom’s treatment agreement.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

This humorous book tells the story of a little dinosaur learning to navigate the social dynamics of school. It highlights the importance of empathy and understanding others’ feelings, making it a delightful and educational read for the first week.

The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill

This book deals with playground dynamics and the importance of kindness and inclusion. It’s perfect for discussing how students can make sure everyone feels welcome and included during recess and other group activities.

These read alouds not only engage students with captivating stories and illustrations but also provide valuable lessons that tie into your treatment agreement. They offer a natural segue into discussions about how students should treat each other and contribute to a positive classroom environment.

Sample Treatment Agreement for Elementary Classrooms

Creating a treatment agreement helps set clear expectations for everyone in the classroom. Here’s an example to guide your discussions and establish a positive environment. Feel free to add on to your treatment agreement!

Teacher → Student

  • Respect: We listen attentively when students are speaking and respond thoughtfully.
  • Support: We provide help and encouragement, fostering a safe space for learning and growth.
  • Fairness: We treat all students equitably and give everyone a chance to participate and succeed.

Student → Teacher

  • Responsibility: We follow classroom rules, complete assignments on time, and respect classroom materials.
  • Respect: We listen to the teacher, follow instructions, and show appreciation for their efforts.
  • Engagement: We actively participate in lessons and ask questions to clarify our understanding.

Student → Student

  • Kindness: We use kind words, share resources, and include everyone in activities.
  • Cooperation: We work together on projects, help each other, and value diverse perspectives.
  • Respect for Differences: We appreciate and respect each other’s unique backgrounds and ideas.

Class → Guest

  • Welcome: We greet guests warmly and introduce ourselves to make them feel comfortable.
  • Courtesy: We show respect to visitors by listening and being attentive during their visit.
  • Representation: We represent our class and school positively, showing good behavior and manners.

This treatment agreement serves as a living document that can be revisited and revised as needed. Encourage students to take ownership by suggesting additional rules or adjustments based on their experiences and classroom needs. This approach not only helps maintain a positive atmosphere but also teaches students valuable life skills in respect, responsibility, and cooperation.

Tips for Success

  • Consistency: Stick to the agreement consistently. This helps students understand that the guidelines are important and not just words on a poster.
  • Flexibility: Be open to revisiting and revising the agreement as needed. As the year progresses, students may have new insights or suggestions for improving the classroom environment.

Make that Treatment Agreement! You Won’t Regret It!

You’ve got this! Creating a treatment agreement can make a world of difference in how your classroom operates. It’s a simple yet effective way to set clear expectations and foster a positive, respectful learning environment. Have you tried a treatment agreement in your classroom? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Let’s support each other in making this school year the best one yet!

Need more back to school tips? Check out this post!

Minds in Bloom

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