Please feel free to post any concerns or questions you have about rules in the classroom. What are the classroom rules for some of the grade levels at Partnership? How are they facilitated? Are they effective? What makes a good rule? What thoughts do you have about rules as you think about future practice?
Consider the purpose of rules:safety, meeting goals, and telling students what to do. Rules must pass the Dead Man's Rule!
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I have been observing in several classrooms the rules posted high up on the walls. I have seen a mix of both, positive and negative statements, in these lists of rules. The positive ones help not only tell the children what is expected of them but also lets them know what to do in a sequential order. An example is the following: Once you have entered the room you should take out your books and materials so you are ready for the next lesson. I thought this goes a little further than just expectations of their behavior. The negative ones that are posted in some rooms are written in bold which says to me they are of higher importance than the others. Although the rules are posted it does not mean the children will necessarily follow them. They will atleast be knowledgeable of them and the teachers can refer to them if needed. I found that each classroom has its own set of consequences for breaking and following the rules. I feel that this could lead to confusion when combining classes in the pods. Which class rules do they follow when they are combined? There is not a school wide policy in which the teachers follow. Some of the teachers tend to lean more towards negative reinforcements by saying, "If you do that again, then .... will happen." I have also found alot of praise for those who follow the rules. I have mixed feelings about the how Token Economy Systems are used. I have been learning about Conscious Discipline which is a new model being taught through Project Enlightenment. If interested in reading you can Google Conscious Discipline. The problem I have with the Token Economy is that you are always using a "carrot" in front of them, and as soon as they feel like there is no getting the carrot or realize the carrot is no big deal the ante is raised. Although I have used rewards and punishments even with my own children, I do try to make each issue a learning moment and I check my expectations of each situation. I do agree that rules should be posted because children need boundaries and guidelines to follow or they feel lost. I also feel consistency is just as important as the rule. The rule is useless unless you always following through. By giving rules to the children it offers them confidence and better self esteem because they feel successful when they do what is expected of them. A good rule is one that gives the child a reasonable expectation of them and is one that gives direction. One thought I had for my future classroom is maybe posting some rules for myself for the children to see. An example maybe the following: When a student has his hand raised I will try my best to help within a timely manner and with honesty. I know this could lead to some problems such as the children feeling like they are the enforcer, but I also feel like it makes me a role model for behavior as well. It can be my own reminder of how I should conduct myself as a teacher. I would like to know if there is a class on professional teaching ethics for the classroom, which basically teaches us rules of conduct
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