Rules are vital to establish order in the beginning of the year so everyone can learn. A fun, easygoing atmosphere can be created as long as the rules are clear and everyone understands what they are and why they’re needed. Teachers must review classroom rules. They should go over rules in the beginning of the year and on as needed throughout the school year. The consequences should also be reviewed and understood so that the pupils aren’t surprised by a punishment.
Classroom rules should not conflict with the rules of the school. Teachers may draft their classroom rules and familiarize themselves with the school’s rules. They should also consider the age group of their pupils when reviewing the rules. Small children are more suitable to understand rules if they’re presented in a role-play situation.
They may also post the rules on a poster in view of everyone. These should be easy to understand. In addition, on the first day of school, teachers should talk with their pupils about the rules. They may ask the kids if the rules seem appropriate. If someone disagrees, ask him why. Having children participate in the process of creating or approving the rules will give them a greater understanding of why they need to follow them. In the lower elementary, the teacher may use rhyme to help young pupils remember rules.
Making sure that the consequences are fair and consistent is also a must in reviewing classroom rules. Teachers should explain the consequences of violating the rule. The thing that matters most is reinforcing the rules every day. In the first few days of school, picking and reviewing a rule of the day is good way to keep the rules in the forefront of everyone’s mind until they become second nature. Another is having every pupil sign the poster with the rules on it or a paper copy of the rules that you’ll keep on file.
In the elementary, rules are ways to impose discipline. Without rules, teachers would most likely spend time in correcting pupils’ misbehavior the whole day. It is also essential to review classroom rules. Because once rule is not properly imposed, soon, more rules are going to be disregarded.
By: Raquel Bautista | Teacher III | Orion Elementary School | Orion, Bataan
