So the title of this post suggests that I’ve updated my classroom rules for this year. The truth is, though, this is the first time I’ve really set out my rules clearly. I know, that sounds terrible. In the past just told students to defer to the school rules. They have a list of behaviours mapped with consequences in their student diaries. That should be enough, right?
Well, that’s what I’ve thought previously. But I want to take a more proactive approach to behaviour this year. I want to set very clear expectations for my classroom. But at the same time, I want to be directing students towards the positive class habits I want, instead of just steering them away from the habits I don’t want.
So, my rules are very simple: Be organised. Be attentive. Be respectful. Be persistent. Be awesome.
This is printed on a bright pink slip of paper glued into the front cover of each student’s workbooks. Don’t worry, I did get these out at the start of the year, even if I’m only getting around to blogging now. 🙂
I feel like the first three rules cover the “PLEASE, PLEASE JUST SIT DOWN AND BEHAVE YOURSELVES SO I CAN ACTUALLY GET AROUND TO TEACHING, FOR GOODNESS’ SAKE!!!” type rules. But I don’t want just that to be good enough. Because I want to see positive attitudes applied to work. I don’t students to give up the first time they have to think for themselves. And I don’t want to settle for a mediocre effort.
I also feel like I should be applying these rules to myself. These should be the attitudes I model as a teacher. I definitely need to be more organised. And I should always be striving to “be awesome”. 🙂