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By now you may know that I barely escaped my first 90 days as a first year teacher, still having a job. The old saying goes, “Hindsight is 20/20.” Around my 5th year of teaching I developed a classroom management strategy, not because I am super innovative but because I was actually being super lazy.
I decided I was tired of sounding like a broken record and repeating some of the rules/procedures that mean the most to me. From there birthed the concept of don’t be a fool, post your classroom rules. A light bulb went off and I ended up typing each of my “Golden Rules” on their own slide in PowerPoint.
Next, I printed, and glued them to construction paper as a background. Finally stapled them at the front of the classroom, directly above my whiteboards, and SMART Board for my student’s viewing pleasure.
Why Post Your Classroom Rules is a Game-Changer
Before I get into what my Golden Rules are, let me explain why this was a game changer. My students don’t think I am lying or picking on them, I save time by referring a student to rule # ___, it helps the revolving door of new students I get during the year know my expectations from their day 1, and it helps my students police the other students.
Minimizes Students thinking you are picking on them
Why should you consider this strategy for more effective classroom management? I work in the, “Hood,” and this demographic is easily offended and tend to think you are picking on them…to them, everything is personal. When I am redirecting a student in regards to one of my Golden Rules, I am able to point it out on the wall, and it instantly lowers their defenses.
Since I obviously was not able to us Flash speed to staple it on the wall in .2 seconds. The student is aware that what I am addressing with them is indeed a rule, and that it is a rule for everyone. The funniest part is to see their face and bodies loosen up and become less tense. I literally get to see their guard drop.
Makes Reviewing Classroom Rules Easier
I save so much time by having the rules posted. The first week of school, I review my Golden Rules directly off the front wall of my classroom. The second week of school I also repeat them due to multiple schedule changes happening at the secondary level. It is truly helpful to review the rules when we return after any break that is more than 3 days.
If you are in secondary public education in general, and especially if you are at a Title I school, you know that your class roster is a revolving door. Student’s are constantly withdrawing, and constantly enrolling…into your classroom periods.
Whenever I receive a new student, I go through the usual formalities of introductions and what I need them to do in class that day. After that, I tell them, “Read my Golden rules that are posted above the board, and you and I will get along just fine.” Sometimes I even assign one of my students to go over the rules with them, while helping them acclimate to the class environment.
Post Your Classroom Rules and Students will Self Correct
I have asthma, so every breath I take is priceless. Having those rules posted literally saves me breath that I can’t get back. All I have to do is call the student’s name and say the rule number. I then see that student turn their attention to the front of the room.
By the time they look for, read and process the rule, the student usually apologizes or says, “Okay Miss.” After that, they self-correct, and class goes on. #goals, confrontation avoided, and the flow of the class is minimally interrupted.
Students Redirect other students
The final reason this is a game changer is, it allows students to police other students. Again, I am probably more lazy than I am innovative. However, my laziness inspires my innovation. Over time, I hear student’s telling other students, “Raise your hand,” “Hey, that’s rule #4 (insert eye roll by policing student). The student to student redirection is endless and happens throughout the entire school year.
What are my classroom rules?
Enough about why you should post your classroom rules at the front of your room. It is time to get into what mine are. In a seperate blog, Golden Rules for the Secondary Classroom I go into detail about the basic rules you should have for a secondary class. While diving into some logic behind each of them.
For now, I will list the rules I have for my classroom. By no means do you have to adopt mine. My personal preferences and pet peeves are different from yours. Feel free to keep what applies and trash your deny’s.
- Be on Time
- No food or drink except water that is clear and doesn’t fizz
- Get all Materials Out and Ready Before Tardy Bell
- Raise a Quiet Hand for Permission to Speak or to Get Out of Your Seat
- 2 Four Minute Restroom Passes Each 9-Weeks
- No Use of Personal Electronics
- This Classroom is a Nap Free Zone
- Stay Seated Until I Dismiss You
- Stay on Task and Talk on Topic Only
- Attempt All Problems Assigned
- Make a Way Not an Excuse
- Respect Yourself, Adults, and peers
Conclusion: Don’t Be a Fool…post your classroom rules
Overall, don’t be a fool, post your classroom rules is a must. The amount of sanity you will be saving is definitely worth it. The reduction of sounding like a broken record is worth it.
When students know your redirection is not personal, that goes a long way in preventing flare-ups. When all you have to do is say a name and a rule number, that is efficient classroom management.
When you have new students and they are able to fall in line with the rest of the class effortlessly. And, when you have students correcting other students…you are #winning at this classroom management game.
Seriously, you don’t have to take my word for it. Give it a try and see if it makes a difference in your classroom. Every teacher I have mentored up to this point swears by it, and I am confident you will too.
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