Create a Collaborative Agreement. Also called a Full Value Contract or Group Norms, a Collaborative Agreement invites all members of a community to express their goals and expected behaviors.
In its simplest form:
- Frame the context with a vision statement or set of core values.
- Collectively brainstorm behaviors and/or goals that align with those ideals.
- Organize the brainstorm into positively phrased statements that participants support.
- Encourage participants to sign the agreement to demonstrate their commitment.
- Post the agreement in a shared space.
- Regularly review the shared agreement and adjust it as necessary.
Developing a community agreement can take time. You might want to spend a whole lesson developing understanding of your school’s core values or unpacking the school’s vision statement.
For example, imagine your school’s mascot is a tiger. You all are fierce, resilient and kind. Start the process by unpacking what fierce, resilient and kind look like, sound like and feel like.
You might also need to practice new vocabulary. Brainstorm the characteristics that each student aspires to bring to the classroom or make a list of adjectives that describe a safe, healthy and welcoming classroom. Schools using PBIS can incorporate expected behaviors into their agreement language.
As students brainstorm, record all their thoughts and contributions. Encourage positive language and try to amplify the quietest voices. Try partner or small group brainstorming if you aren’t hearing from everyone.
Once brainstormed, group the like ideas and simplify the list. Try to settle on 4-5 words or phrases that everyone can agree upon.
Invite the participants to sign the list and post it in a central location.
Revisit your shared agreement and check-in on how you all are doing. Amend and adjust the agreement as your group evolves during the school year.
Keep any eye out here on the blog for ways to incorporate reflection into your regular routines.
Additional community agreement variations.