It’s one thing to talk about establishing clear rules right from the start of class, but it’s another thing to implement them effectively. It’s crucial for classroom management, to have a simple set of rules that you enforce consistently and fairly.
For new instructors, it can be difficult to know what that system should look like or how to even begin to implement it. This quick guide gives you examples of basic rules to use, some tips on how to fairly apply them, and a few examples of when and why it’s okay to make exceptions.
Rules List
You want to keep the classroom rules pretty simple and straightforward. You also want to have
a list that is fairly short, broad, and as general as possible. You can’t make rules to fit every possible situation, so you want your list to be an umbrella that can cover just about any misbehavior. (Reference rules from student handbook)
Applying the Rules
Ah, if only things were totally black and white. Unfortunately, in the messy, complicated world
of a real classroom, it can be difficult to apply the rules fairly and consistently. If you believe that a student genuinely doesn’t understand why they broke a rule, or genuinely didn’t realize that they were doing anything wrong, you’ll still need to apply the rules, but will need to do so a little differently than with a student who is frequently and deliberately disruptive to class.
Exceptions to the Rules
As we say, it’s the exception that proves the rule. Your classroom will be pretty boring and
authoritarian if you never, ever loosen up on the rules. It’s perfectly fine – and is a very good
thing – to make some exceptions.
It shows trust and respect to your students, and it gives them a little bit of leeway to have fun
during class games. However, it can also be a slippery slope to letting your class get out of
control. The trick is to communicate very clearly when it’s okay to bend a rule and when they
have to follow it.
A few examples of times when you will want to let students bend the rules:
- Let them know that it’s okay to yell things out without raising their hand while you are
playing a certain game. - During certain activities, you may want them to be able to get out of their seat without asking.
- If they have finished a quiz early and need to get up and get a worksheet or book, they can
do so without raising their hand to ask. - Students to whom you’ve assigned certain extra responsibilities (set up for class, cleaning,
or class leader, etc.) - What is important is that you are clear and consistent with applying the rules, and with any
exceptions to the rules.- Also, give them a little bit of leeway right after an activity – if
they’re all riled up from playing a fun game where they could yell things out, some
students will probably slip up and forget to raise their hand to speak once the game ends.
- Also, give them a little bit of leeway right after an activity – if
carefully
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