Setting clear classroom rules is one of the most important tasks for any teacher. Classroom rules help create a positive learning environment, prevent disruptive behavior, and promote respect and responsibility. But how can you set classroom rules that are effective, fair, and easy to follow? Here are some tips to help you.
One way to make your classroom rules more meaningful and relevant is to involve your students in the process. You can ask them to brainstorm, discuss, and vote on the rules they think are important for their class. This way, they will feel more ownership and commitment to the rules, and they will understand the reasons behind them. You can also ask them to suggest the consequences for breaking the rules, and to sign a contract or a poster to show their agreement.
With regard to rules, the main flaw I see throughout K-12 is that the teacher is left to defend herself against unruly students and the rude system itself. Very few people are strong enough to pull this off. That's why we are losing so many teachers. Everyone should feel that the teacher is backed up and supported by the principal, administrators, the school board, the parents and the general public. The school should insist on this. The principal makes an announcement at the start of each year, what to expect and what is expected. There should be a hierarchy of gradual responses, but finally you have to be willing to punish bad students. For the students' own sake.
From my experience and knowledge of societal function, I'm of the strong view that rules must never be pre-set, rather they ought to be chalked out as the year progresses or as familiarity grows between students and teacher. How can anyone accept boundaries which one never contemplates on crossing. I mean it's totally wrong to tell a person to sit who is about to sit any way. If some told me to do what I was about to, I'd probably opt not to go through what I was about to. I've experimentd, telling classes not to cheat in exams, and not mentioning such activities. The result: when I reminded students of not behaving unethically, they "made it a point" to do exactlythat. Not out of disobedience, but out of a feeling of being distrusted.
When I started as an occasional teacher, I learned quickly some of the structures I set that had the best results. Some that worked well for students to know what behaviours were acceptable and what were not, was to set them outright at the start, keep them simple and be clear. In general, except for a more difficult group, or an unruly student that tried to discourage the class from behaving well, I rarely had many problems with behaviour.
Students crave structure and expectations. If your classroom doesn't have consistency, it will look like a mess, BUT if the students know how the room works as well as the expectations, it could look like chaos from the outside but in reality full functioning educational environment. And how is that done, KIS. Too many rules= too many things rebel against. AND respect them to know how to behave. Rules are meant to be broken. So maybe the antiquated rules on the wall created that rebellious behavior. Change that too.
Firstly, at the beginning of every new semester, create your Classroom Expectations with the students. That means THEY give the suggestions, you just guide them. Those are the agreements you make together. You can create a classroom display board with the agreements on it and let them add a handprint or sign their name to it. When it comes to enforcing them you only need to point to that board and ask them if they remember our Classroom Agreements and if we are following them? Secondly, use Positive Behaviour Models and have reward systems; one for the class as a whole and one for individual students. When students get unruly, focus your attention on those behaving well and reward them, the other students will notice and instantly follow.
Another tip is to keep your classroom rules simple and clear. You don't need to have a long list of rules that cover every possible situation. Instead, focus on a few general rules that address the most important aspects of classroom behavior, such as respect, safety, and participation. You can use positive language to state what you want your students to do, rather than what you don't want them to do. For example, instead of saying "Don't talk when the teacher is talking", you can say "Listen attentively when the teacher or a classmate is speaking".
Children appreciate consistency, don't forget that. So whatever your class agreements are at the start, stick with them. If you feel that you have too many "rules" you are probably focused on more specifics or you just got caught up in the little things. So in that case...two buts of advice: allow for revision, and think in larger terms. When the word respect comes about ask students to model what that does and doesn't look like, sound like and feel like. You may be surprised at what good teachers they are themselves.
Setting clear expectations starts day one. Keep it simple. There should be a rule: for getting assistance, movement around the classroom, not calling out, how to treat others and how to treat the materials and the classrooms. These rules should be reinforced everyday. Students should be praised for following the rules and redirected when they don’t.
Value-based rather than rule-based makes more sense in terms of providing opportunities of drawing back to and refining. If things are too prescriptive people look for loopholes.
From my experience, the simpler the rules, the easier to follow. The list prepared by the students on the first day of school is displayed and positive reinforcement, such as compliments are well received by the students.
A third tip is to communicate and model your classroom rules consistently and regularly. You can introduce your rules at the beginning of the school year, and review them periodically throughout the year. You can also display your rules in a visible place in the classroom, and refer to them when you praise or correct your students. Moreover, you can model your rules by showing respect, kindness, and enthusiasm in your interactions with your students and colleagues. By doing so, you will reinforce your expectations and set a positive example for your students.
In my professional opinion, the key to successful classroom management lies in the cultivation of a safe, kind, and open classroom atmosphere. This environment serves as the foundational cornerstone of educational success, fostering a climate where students can thrive both academically and emotionally. I firmly believe that when students feel safe and secure within the classroom, it naturally leads to an openness to learning and acceptance of rules and expectations. This sense of safety is not merely physical but extends to emotional and intellectual spheres, allowing students to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of ridicule or judgment.
Holding ourselves accountable for the modelling of the rules is essential. Students learn by watching and it is also easier to ask them to reflect on their behaviour when they break the rules.
A fourth tip is to monitor and enforce your classroom rules fairly and firmly. You can use different strategies to observe your students' behavior, such as walking around the classroom, using eye contact, and giving nonverbal cues. You can also use positive reinforcement to acknowledge and reward your students who follow the rules, such as giving praise, stickers, or points. On the other hand, you can use negative consequences to address your students who break the rules, such as giving warnings, time-outs, or loss of privileges. However, you should always be respectful, consistent, and proportional when you enforce your rules, and avoid using harsh or humiliating punishments.
Quality classroom management is a collaboration between all learners. Educators are also learners. Therefore, a collaborative classroom environment allows everyone to learn from each other. Such brings meaning and purpose and allows strengths to be explored.
Non-verbal communication is also effective whenever asking for silence - I use the fox hand signal - and the traffic light with the names of the students to check their own behaviour. Another technique is delegating monitoring. I use the "Patience scale" (usually with 6th/7th graders): The whole group starts the class with 10 points - they may lose them but also recover them - at the end of the class, if the group remains with their 10 points, the whole group gets a reward.
A fifth tip is to adjust and revise your classroom rules as needed. You should be flexible and responsive to the changing needs and circumstances of your students and your class. You can evaluate the effectiveness of your rules regularly, and ask for feedback from your students and colleagues. You can also modify or add new rules if you encounter new challenges or opportunities in your teaching. For example, you may need to create new rules for online learning, field trips, or special projects. By adjusting and revising your rules, you will ensure that they are relevant, realistic, and helpful for your students' learning.
Be consistent It is important to be consistent with encouraging students to follow the rules. It also reinforces that you are fair with implementing and enforcing the rules.
I wanted students to know I felt my responsibility was to support them as best I could. That meant they could count of me to give my best under any circumstance. I explained that I would be respectful by listening, and they needed to do the same. I could spot students that might need more support, academically, emotionally or how they worked with classmates. I would take a moment to speak individually to those students to let them know that I respected their individual needs. Whether the class knew what I said to each student or not, they felt there was a good chance that their needs would be considered. This set the tone for most students to feel respected and heard. It was important to be consistent and follow through as well.
Setting clear classroom rules is essential for creating a productive and respectful learning environment. Some steps which I found useful *Identify Key Behaviors you want to encourage and discourage in your classroom. Focus on creating rules that support a positive and conducive learning atmosphere. *Keep It Simple * Be Specific: State rules in clear and specific terms. * Positive Language: For example, "Raise your hand to speak" instead of "Don't shout out." * Involve students This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. * Post Rules Visibly Explain the Rationale *Apply the rules consistently * Clearly outline the consequences for breaking rules * Regularly review rules with students and make adjustments.
One thing I've always felt, students respect sincerity foremost and honesty second After these, all else can be overlooked by them That is, students expect a teacher to be sincere to the teaching profession: doing all that is possible in teaching a subject Being honest, owning up to slips or even lack of knowledge to certain unperceived teaching concepts during lessons It's worst when the teachers claim to never be in th wrong - superhuman - offering a challenge for students to put you down, which they will Errors come up in set papers, while teaching a concept, spelling, word/meanings etc There errors in books, a teacher needs to teach what is right If so done, students will listen to what the teacher has to say, exceptions apart
Children will rise to the level of expectations. Children, no matter the age, want to know what is expected of them and why it is important for them to meet those expectations. In a society that is tipsy-turvy, consistently enforcing high expectations allows students the opportunity to grow and develop in a safe, consistent environment. Having worked in Title 1 and non-Title 1 schools, the result is the same. I set my expectations, much more than rules, and my students meet and often exceed them. The first few days are interspersed with conversations about treating each other as a family. Being open to making mistakes and learning from them. And considering what/who they want to be when they grow up. Student will rise to high expectations!