To set up the rules for my classroom, I would come up with a few on my own first and then ask my students for their opinions on what rules they believe should be included. I will take both answers to account and develop a cohesive set of rules that my entire class can agree on and understand completely. This is why I have entitled it, OUR classroom policies, to emphasize the fact that everyone has had a say in what the class rules are.
The first policy states, "Be respectful and attentive to all people." This policy is important because it tells the students that they need to behave well not only to the teacher, but to other classmates, and/or other adults that may be in the classroom. The attentive part of the sentence also shows students that they need to listen to others and pay attention to whoever is presenting or discussing. This rule also implies that students should not bother, name-call, or fight anyone in the classroom (Emmer and Evertson, 31). The second policy states, "Come to class on time and prepared to learn." I would tell the students that this policy means that tardiness is not acceptable and very distracting to other students. In addition, I would explain that students need to be in their seats and wait for my instruction with all of their class materials in order to be best prepared to learn. More specifically, I would mention the exact class materials they would need for each class (pencil, paper, textbook, etc.), and what I expect them to be doing when the bell rings (warm up, reading, etc). The third policy reads, "Ask questions and participate in class." This policy tells students that they need to be active participants in my classroom. They should ask questions if they are lost, and they should participate when asked to. I would explain to them that this would make our entire class function better by helping everyone understand the content and by sharing ideas. Lastly, I wrote that students should obey all school rules. This shows students that the rules for the entire school applies to them when they come into my classroom.
I believe that the policies I have stated for my class are concise, clear, applicable to all situations, and positively worded. I will take time out of class to explain all of these rules in detail to my students and ask if they have any questions. Having precise policies for my class will help minimize distractions and unruly behaviors, which can help with classroom management.
The first policy states, "Be respectful and attentive to all people." This policy is important because it tells the students that they need to behave well not only to the teacher, but to other classmates, and/or other adults that may be in the classroom. The attentive part of the sentence also shows students that they need to listen to others and pay attention to whoever is presenting or discussing. This rule also implies that students should not bother, name-call, or fight anyone in the classroom (Emmer and Evertson, 31). The second policy states, "Come to class on time and prepared to learn." I would tell the students that this policy means that tardiness is not acceptable and very distracting to other students. In addition, I would explain that students need to be in their seats and wait for my instruction with all of their class materials in order to be best prepared to learn. More specifically, I would mention the exact class materials they would need for each class (pencil, paper, textbook, etc.), and what I expect them to be doing when the bell rings (warm up, reading, etc). The third policy reads, "Ask questions and participate in class." This policy tells students that they need to be active participants in my classroom. They should ask questions if they are lost, and they should participate when asked to. I would explain to them that this would make our entire class function better by helping everyone understand the content and by sharing ideas. Lastly, I wrote that students should obey all school rules. This shows students that the rules for the entire school applies to them when they come into my classroom.
I believe that the policies I have stated for my class are concise, clear, applicable to all situations, and positively worded. I will take time out of class to explain all of these rules in detail to my students and ask if they have any questions. Having precise policies for my class will help minimize distractions and unruly behaviors, which can help with classroom management.