Creating clear and concise classroom rules at the beginning of the school year is important for maintaining order and rewarding good behavior. Consistency is key, and rules should encourage gaining privileges rather than using negative language. Punishments should be given privately, while praise and rewards can be given publicly.
Creating rules in the classroom at the beginning of a school year or semester will help maintain order in the classroom and give you a way to reward good behavior. Remember that rewarding good behavior is far more important than punishing bad behavior, so make sure that whatever class rules you create give you the freedom to reward students for meeting expectations. Consistency is also very important; if you create a rule, be prepared to enforce it consistently throughout the semester or school year. Inconsistent application of rules will encourage students to break those rules or become too lax in other ways.
Try to be minimalistic with your classroom rules. Too many rules will confuse students and make them feel like they have no leeway in class. Your rules should be simple and short, and they should be easy to follow. Submit the rules at the beginning of the school year and ensure they are posted clearly throughout the classroom so students can refer to the classroom rules at any time. It can also be helpful to outline a scale of rewards and punishments so students know what to expect if they break the rules.
It will be important to formulate the rules carefully. Instead of using lots of “No” statements, try formulating class rules to encourage gaining privileges. A rule that states, “No mp3 players in class,” for example, will seem harsh to a student, thus encouraging them to find ways to break that rule. Instead, you can say, “Mp3 players will only be allowed with the teacher’s permission.” This will encourage students to ask the teacher when they can use the mp3 players, and the teacher can then make a case-by-case decision. This opens up options for both teachers and students.
Some rules, of course, will have to be punitive to some extent, which is acceptable. If you have to punish a student for violating class rules, never do it in front of the whole class. Whenever possible, push the student away so that other students are not watching or commenting. Isolating the student prevents backlash from other students and helps the teacher quell any conflict that may have arisen in the classroom. Praise can be given in front of the class, as can rewards, although it will be important for the teacher to assess whether this is appropriate on a case-by-case basis, as some students may be embarrassed by this.
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