Class Contract/Setting Behavior Expectations

What: Many teachers set-up class contracts with students specifically around behavior at the beginning of the year. Consider developing a class contract with your students around time outside and behavior/expectations for outside time. The conversations that will occur in making the contract can provide excellent opportunities to discuss the benefits of outside time with students as well as get into the nuts and bolts of the what-and-how of students’ behaviors outside. The contract could include class goals around weekly time outside (either minutes or sessions a week). In addition, class contracts can be referred to throughout the year to re-teach expectations and could be revised to include increased outside time goals.

How: The following steps could be taken to develop a class contract for outside time with students:

1. Share the research about the benefits of time outside with students. Ask them to share how being outside may have benefited them in the past.
2. Decide a goal for outside time–number of minutes, times a week. Perhaps your class starts with 30 minutes/one day a week or 1 session a week (time could vary depending on week). As the year progresses and students get more efficient with transitions and more comfortable working outside, you could revisit the contract and increase the outside time goal.
3. Discuss Outside Safety–what are some issues around safety that could come up? (staying with group, dealing with weather, off task behavior, dealing with outside distractions, nurse/bathroom/water, crossing streets, listening to directions) How can we address these concerns?
4. Have students come up with statements that say what they will DO (not what they won’t do) while outside. Have them discuss why each statement is important to making outdoor time effective and safe.
5. Have all students sign the contract. You could even make copies for families and have them discuss with their children and sign together.

Revisit the contract before going outside each time. After returning indoors, have students reflect on their behavior. Did they stick to the contract agreements and if not, what they could improve on the next time. Revisit the contract to change time goal or add expectations as needed throughout the year.

When: Take the time in the beginning of the year to develop a class contract with students. Involving them directly in the creation of the contract rather than presenting them with a contract and telling them they need to agree will ensure buy-in and get students committed to the goals and expectations. Revisit the contract before and after outdoor time outside and throughout the year as needed.