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We Made These Rules
TARGET:
6-8 years
INTENSITY:
25 min / 1x at start of unit
LEARNING GOAL
Developing My Human-Human Co-Intelligence
PEDAGOGICAL INTENTION
Setting Fair, Equitable, and Respectful Rules
Target SKILLS
Socio-emotional Intelligence
Co-Intelligence Human-Human
Agency and Autonomy
MATERIALS
Large paper
Markers
Class agreement template
DETAILED PROCEDURE
Gather the whole group together in a circle for this activity. Collaborative norm creation: children discuss what they need to feel safe, respected, and able to learn.
Step 1
Convert needs into observable behavioral norms (not rules imposed from above).
Step 2
Invite each child to sign the class agreement as a genuine commitment.
Step 3
Say gently to the children: "The difference between a rule someone gives you and one you make together is ownership. When you make it, you're more likely to follow it."
Step 4
Post prominently; refer back regularly; revise if needed.
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
PROGRESS INDICATORS
The child contributes at least one norm idea to the class agreement.
The child can explain the reasoning behind any norm.
The child references the class agreement independently when a conflict arises.
Research Foundations
Piaget (1932); Vygotsky (1978); Kohlberg (1969)
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