Solid Foundations for Building Classroom Rules

Every classroom needs a good solid foundation of rules and procedures, my class will be no exception. Choosing the proper rules is the key. If the teacher does not believe in the rules, how can we expect the students be expected to believe in the rules either? At the same time, the punishment needs to fit the rules as well. A lot of thought needs to go into the creation and implementation of the rules for the classroom. In working in an elementary school, I have seen the students that enter those doors each and everyday, I have dealt with them and disciplined them. Some of the rules and procedures that need to be implemented are simple, while others are more complex. Regardless, teachers are expected to make their daily lesson plans as well as create a strong rule and consequence structure that both teaches and manages the students in the classroom.

The trick to developing the right rules and procedures will be first step determining the type of classroom setting, or atmosphere, a teacher wants to portray. I want my students to feel welcome and at ease. I would like them to understand that although much of the class will be teacher-led instruction, there will also be plenty if independent group work as well; a healthy combination of both. Therefore, I have had to consider the teaching method(s) that I would like to implement in teaching my students. My classroom rules and procedures need to be representative of both of those types of instruction. In the course of determining those rules, I would need to keep in mind the rules and procedures that are in place by the school itself. It would be disrespectful for me to ignore the rules of the administration when I am expecting students to respect the rules that I have in place in class. Another thing that I would have to think about when I create my classroom rules is the ages, grade and abilities of the students that are in my class. In doing this I would need to make sure that the rules are not too tough for the younger grades to understand, but not so simple that the older grades to feel like kindergarteners (based upon the grade level that I am teaching at this time). An important factor to also consider is if your rules can rationally be explained to the students when they ask why and can you follow that explanation up with a fair reason for the consequence(s) that are attached to breaking that rule? In coming up with rational explanations and fair consequences, the things in which the rules and procedures govern must be considered. The rules need to fit the expectations and the consequences have to be reasonable.

I believe that the students should feel welcomed and comfortable coming into the classroom each day. That feeling, that inviting atmosphere, will be more conducive to learning than if the students walked into a classroom that has a cold and harsh feeling. We want the students to feel as though they want to be at school rather than dread having to be there. Feeling wanted and welcome can aid in managing the behaviors in the classroom as well. If the student feels that they want to be in school, then there is a better chance that they will act like they want to be there. A way that I can make sure that my students know that they are respected and I enjoy having them in my class is to make sure that I have created the rules in a way that is appropriate for them. I can not expect to have them respect me if I do not respect them. By treating fourth graders as if they are first graders, I am telling my students that I so not believe that they are capable of growing up or taking responsibility, in turn treating first graders as fourth graders is telling them that I think that they need to grow up fast. Neither is correct and neither is fair.

My rules and procedures have to be age appropriate, as well as the fact that they need to be based on the student's abilities. I can not expect a first grader to be able to do the same things as a fourth grader. Most of all, in regards to respect, I have to realize that I want my students to realize that I respect them and that I expect them to show me respect, but how can either of those come to fruition if I do not respect the school rules in creating my own. If my rules countermand the rules established by the school and the school administration department, I cannot honestly expect my student to show respect and heed the rules and procedures that I have put into place.

One of the final things that has to have some consideration in the creation of my classroom rules is that I need to make sure that the rules and procedures are easily rationalized, easily explainable. The same holds true for the consequences that accompany the punishments. If I can easily explain the rule when the student asks "WHY?" then the student will be able to have a better understanding of the rule and the reasons why the rules or procedures are in place. If I can not explain the reasons behind the rule in a manner that is easy for student comprehension, then I can not the student to understand why they can not do something or why it can not be done in the way that they choose to do instead of my way.

Fortunately, I have had experience in today's classrooms and I have been able to see many of the challenges that teacher's face daily. I have been able to see the reality of how today's society influences the attitudes and lifestyles of the student's that walk into the doors of our schools. I have seen the children that hate coming to school and have behavior issues and those that just love to learn. I have seen the students that love coming to school because they know they will have someone that pays attention to them, they will get a good meal, or even get a hug. I have seen all styles of students in the school in which I work. One thing is the same in all those students, they want to feel wanted, valued, respected and appreciated and to me these are what I feel to be the most important things to consider.