Why are classroom rules important?

 

Why are classroom rules important?

Classroom rules are highly important and I am not talking about oppressive and unfair rules. I consider classroom rules as a list of desired actions that make classroom management an easy task! So, what are classroom rules? Classroom rules are a way to do away with distractions and poor behavior.

These rules are essential and set the tone for the school year from the beginning so how to introduce them is a difficult subject for many teachers, and I would like to give some tips about how to establish classroom rules in your classroom.

How to create classroom rules:

Classroom rules can help establish a sense of community that improves academic results and values, so I consider it important to get my students involved in creating the rules and expectations. During the first school days I sit with them and we talk about the desired expectations we have of ourselves and of others. There is nothing more boring than listening to the teacher reading off the rule list as they sit at their desks. Therefore, I challenge them to think about possible scenarios of bad behavior and we create a behavior list together. Sometimes children’s opinions differ from teachers’ ones and this is so enriching because we can discuss our classroom rules list as a group and include them in the decision-making process. I think that kids accept more what they have decided rather than what the authority figure has. Most of the time we come up with the same classroom rules list because they are based on one common theme: being respectful.

I normally use the same kind of classroom rules posters but 2020’s return to school is different so I have included specific health and safety COVID procedures in my classroom rules. Classroom rules look different for every teacher and these are the rules I use:

• Clean up workspace
• Line up quietly
• Wait your turn
•  Try your best
• Stay on task
• Help others
• Pay attention
• Keep hands to yourself
• Silence, no talking
• Raise your hand
• Respect others
• Share with others
• No bullying
• Follow direction

As I said before I believe it to be essential to include Social Distancing Covid Rules and these are the ones I use:

•  Cough in your elbow
• Pay attention
• Wash your hands
• Use soap
• Elbow bump
• Foot bump
• Wear mask
• Use sanitizer
• Sneeze in your elbow
• Arrive on time
• Ask questions
•  Wait for your turn
• Line up and keep your hands to yourself
• Use your own school supplies
• Work on your own space
• Fingers out of your nose & mouth
• Stay 6 feet apart
• Maintain social distancing
• Avoid touching
• Use face masks
• Store your mask safely
• Ensure colored side outwards
• Help others stay healthy
• Mute yourself on video calls.

Another important part of classroom management is how to teach these rules. I like to display rules creatively using classroom rules posters with pictures. I have designed a set of classroom rules posters with cute and meaningful cliparts (Spanish classroom rules too).  I print off these classroom rules as a PDF and I put them up on a classroom rules bulletin board.  I try to be specific. General rules are a great  start, but everyday rules should be clear and concise, with little room for interpretation. It is also important to define classroom rules and expectations and to be clear from the beginning on what the consequences are for breaking the rules. When a kid breaks a rule, I consider imposing time-outs and temporary losses of privilege, but I never embarrass a student.  

Many teachers struggle to decide how many classroom rules they should have, and I use to implement 15 rules. Covid classroom rules are different and I use more. Also, virtual learning classroom rules differ from the regular ones but, as mentioned previously, I think all of them come from the same principle of being respectful.

 I can give you many classroom rules examples but my favorite one is “BE KIND”. This rule covers so many aspects such as how students are expected to interact with each other, how students are expected to interact with the teacher, and how students are expected to interact with the school community. It’s simple. If you are kind, people will be kind to you.

Rules should not just be something that teachers explain at the beginning of the year to then be completely forgotten about. It is essential to review them consistently to promote a positive learning environment. If rules are continually taught, students have no excuse for misbehavior. Teachers find difficulty in reinforcing classroom rules and what I can recommend is going over the classroom rules posters and using rewards. Positive motivation is the most powerful technique. Praise your kids and remind them how special they are by giving them little rewards. I have designed classroom reward coupons for teachers who don’t want to break the piggy bank with no cost or low-cost prizes. I use a cute box to keep my coupons in and I allow my students to take one at the end of the week if they follow the classroom rules. Click here to get my rewards in Spanish.

In conclusion, how to set classroom rules is a question every teacher should ask themselves at the beginning of the year as creating classroom rules with our kids will develop a sense of community that will create a positive learning environment. Be kind and don’t forget to praise your kids because we are what we think we are!

Click here to get my classroom rules posters, also available in Spanish! Have a look at Covid Safety Classroom Rules and check out the Spanish version!

All my best, 

Ms.Herraiz