What is there good about drafting rules if it won’t be kept?
A lot of teachers never think in this direction- they keep
dishing out rules and regulation every new term and session, while the kids
keep being their old selves. No question asked; no strategy developed. Some
might even recommend for spiritual deliverance for the ‘possibly possessed’
students.
On the other hand, there are many teachers out there who are
continuously worried about their students’ inability to keep and obey class
rules. Such have no idea of what next to do as they must have come to their
wits’ end.
To these I offer these 7 guided rules that can help you
achieve that. It has worked for me as a classroom teacher over these years; I
am very confident it will work for you if you follow it up judiciously.
#1: Get a copy of the
class rules for your students and let them rehearse it daily
As a
teacher, you have to work this out. For your pupils to comply with rules, they
must have access to these rules- either by having a copy each or having the
rules pasted in a conspicuous and strategic place in the classroom, where each
child can always see it. In fact, it should be rehearsed each day.
#2: Teach
your students they are bound to respect the teacher’s view
There is no
room for teacher/pupil supremacy struggle if rules must be adhered to by the
pupils. Emphasize that it is your own view as the teacher that must always
stand amidst contrasting views. Don’t give any room for any child to dictate
the tune of the class music.
#3. Emphasize and
ensure that every member of the class respects your class prefects
While the
class prefects must shun over-bearing attitude, they nonetheless need to be
respected, otherwise their task of assisting in classroom management will be
jeopardized. So, emphasize that due respect be given them.
#4: Create the room for
your students to ask private questions if in doubt
You wouldn’t
want to create problem for yourself by allowing children under you to challenge
your opinions and views openly. Teach them that if they are in doubt of the
appropriateness of a given instruction, they should meet you privately to
discuss their concern and submission. Listen to them; be open and humble enough
to buy into their own idea when need be.
#5: Let each child to
know it’s their duty to remind others to keep to class rules
Each pupil
should be out to help others to ensure that class rules are adhered to by
constantly reminding those who are at the verge of defaulting. This also helps
your students learn leadership and responsibility.
#6: Report offenders
including over-bearing class monitors
No child has
a right to fight another for breaking class rules; neither should they cover
them up. They should be taught rather to report to the teacher. But make sure
you investigate properly as many students can act so mischievously.
#7: Let Justice rule
Justice
includes fairness, acceptability and compassion. Be sure no child will be ready
to obey you or your class rules, if that child feels that he/she is not fairly
treated or accepted like every other child in the class. And the practice of
justice begins with you the teacher. If you fail in this, you’ve failed in all.
Laws are
made to be complied with, so are class and general school rules. Hence, efforts
must be made to teach and train the school children on how to imbibe the skill
and culture of compliance with rules. If they can do this, they can do all
others as well.
Conclusion
Managing
your classroom is only possible when the kids in your class are managed to be
the best they can be. And this is only possible when they master certain skills
that guarantee a crisis-free classroom, and compliance to rules is key.
Of course,
this is not a day’s job. It is what we as teachers must judiciously follow
through until it becomes the sole definition of our class. And the result will
be that students and pupils enjoy learning while the teacher is happy
delivering contents.
It looks
difficult though, but very possible and rewardable.
Just try it
and you will be happy you did!
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