classroom rules
The five rules listed are rules that I believe to be very important and beneficial for a classroom to run smoothly. The rules will help both make the classroom environment safe and allow students to freely express themselves and grow as students.
Prior to distributing a set of class rules to my students, I would ask my students to become involved in the rule making process because it is not just my classroom but their classroom as well. Cushman and Rogers’ text, Fires in the Middle School Bathroom, explains that when teachers show they are interested in their students’ ideas and wants it sends the message to students that they matter and they are important decision making processes too. I believe allowing students to take part in the rule making process will positively impact the students’ attitudes toward the classroom environment and will influence students to abide by the rules. Emmer and Evertson discuss in their text, Classroom Management for Middle and High School Teachers, that student involvement in creating class rules increases student ownership of the rules. Having students participate in creating the rules allows the students to feel involved in the process and is also a learning experience for them. I would turn creating a list of classroom rules into a lesson for my students. I would ask students to share their suggestions of rules to the class and also provide reasons and explanations as to why that specific rule is important and should be one of the chosen rules. This allows students to come up evidence and support to back up their rule.
I purposely titled the list of rules, “Classroom Rules Created By and For Ms. Smith’s Students”, to show that the students were the ones who actively created these rules and that these rules were created with their best interest in mind. The rules are to help the students. I purposely order the rules in the way I did because I think it touches on obvious rules first and then begins to hint more on what the students are expected to do to be the best students they can be. The rules are intended to be a guide in reminding students why they are in the classroom and how they can make their schooling experience rewarding and successful. I believe the five rules I created overall covers the atmosphere and progress I wish to see in my classroom. Each rule has been created for a specific purpose and reflects the way I intend to run my classroom.
Rule #1, “Arrive to class on time and prepared for learning”, is an obvious rule but one that I think is still important to remind students of. Not only is it important to be in the classroom on time, but also it is just as important to be prepared for the day’s learning activities and objectives.
Rule #2, “Respect each other and property”, again is a rule that most people would view as being obvious, but it is still a very important rule to establish. At the middle grade level, students are at the stage where they are not little kids anymore but they are not quite adults either. Because they are in the middle, students in middle school can still act in inappropriate manners. Having a rule stating students must respect one another and all property enforces that the students must act in an appropriate manner and ensures a safe classroom environment.
Rule #3, “Remain focused on work and assignments”, is intended to remind students of why they are in the classroom and what their role as a student is. It is the students’ responsibilities to stay on task and complete their assignments. This rule is a friendly reminder to help students be successful learners inside the classroom.
Rule #4, “Participate and engage in classroom discussions and activities with a creative and open mind”, is put in place to influence students to be the best they can be. I think this rule confirms to students that the classroom is a safe and comfortable place where they can be themselves and share their ideas and opinions freely.
Rule #5, “Collaborate with and learn from one another”, is a rule intended to help students build positive relationships with one another. I think that by influencing students to work and learn form one another will help students to better enjoy their schooling experience. Cushman and Rogers’ book explains that students like when they work with their classmates and when classmates help each other out if they are stuck on a question or assignment. It is important to students that they get the opportunity to work together as a class. It is my hope that my future students work well with another and help each other grow.
Prior to distributing a set of class rules to my students, I would ask my students to become involved in the rule making process because it is not just my classroom but their classroom as well. Cushman and Rogers’ text, Fires in the Middle School Bathroom, explains that when teachers show they are interested in their students’ ideas and wants it sends the message to students that they matter and they are important decision making processes too. I believe allowing students to take part in the rule making process will positively impact the students’ attitudes toward the classroom environment and will influence students to abide by the rules. Emmer and Evertson discuss in their text, Classroom Management for Middle and High School Teachers, that student involvement in creating class rules increases student ownership of the rules. Having students participate in creating the rules allows the students to feel involved in the process and is also a learning experience for them. I would turn creating a list of classroom rules into a lesson for my students. I would ask students to share their suggestions of rules to the class and also provide reasons and explanations as to why that specific rule is important and should be one of the chosen rules. This allows students to come up evidence and support to back up their rule.
I purposely titled the list of rules, “Classroom Rules Created By and For Ms. Smith’s Students”, to show that the students were the ones who actively created these rules and that these rules were created with their best interest in mind. The rules are to help the students. I purposely order the rules in the way I did because I think it touches on obvious rules first and then begins to hint more on what the students are expected to do to be the best students they can be. The rules are intended to be a guide in reminding students why they are in the classroom and how they can make their schooling experience rewarding and successful. I believe the five rules I created overall covers the atmosphere and progress I wish to see in my classroom. Each rule has been created for a specific purpose and reflects the way I intend to run my classroom.
Rule #1, “Arrive to class on time and prepared for learning”, is an obvious rule but one that I think is still important to remind students of. Not only is it important to be in the classroom on time, but also it is just as important to be prepared for the day’s learning activities and objectives.
Rule #2, “Respect each other and property”, again is a rule that most people would view as being obvious, but it is still a very important rule to establish. At the middle grade level, students are at the stage where they are not little kids anymore but they are not quite adults either. Because they are in the middle, students in middle school can still act in inappropriate manners. Having a rule stating students must respect one another and all property enforces that the students must act in an appropriate manner and ensures a safe classroom environment.
Rule #3, “Remain focused on work and assignments”, is intended to remind students of why they are in the classroom and what their role as a student is. It is the students’ responsibilities to stay on task and complete their assignments. This rule is a friendly reminder to help students be successful learners inside the classroom.
Rule #4, “Participate and engage in classroom discussions and activities with a creative and open mind”, is put in place to influence students to be the best they can be. I think this rule confirms to students that the classroom is a safe and comfortable place where they can be themselves and share their ideas and opinions freely.
Rule #5, “Collaborate with and learn from one another”, is a rule intended to help students build positive relationships with one another. I think that by influencing students to work and learn form one another will help students to better enjoy their schooling experience. Cushman and Rogers’ book explains that students like when they work with their classmates and when classmates help each other out if they are stuck on a question or assignment. It is important to students that they get the opportunity to work together as a class. It is my hope that my future students work well with another and help each other grow.