Comments on: Rule-Free Teaching http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/ Providing HOPE for educators since 2007 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jonathanhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6259 Jonathan Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:43:58 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6259 "This classroom is governed by general rules of courtesy and respect. Teacher and students will come each day, ready for the day's work." “This classroom is governed by general rules of courtesy and respect. Teacher and students will come each day, ready for the day’s work.”

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]]> By: Laurenhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6253 Lauren Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:24:45 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6253 I am a student, and I am going into the education field. I really like your idea about not to have rules but expectations. I will be thinking about your ideas when I have my own classroom someday.! I am a student, and I am going into the education field. I really like your idea about not to have rules but expectations. I will be thinking about your ideas when I have my own classroom someday.!

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]]> By: Mr. Bhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6234 Mr. B Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:31:04 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6234 In my ed philosophy course in university, we were recommended not to have rules but expectations, as a few have mentioned above. I have only four (to keep it simple): Follow directions the first time. (This one is routinely broken by some students.) Show common courtesy. Respect others who are talking. (similar to #2, but worth repeating) Come to class prepared to learn and to demonstrate what you have learned. Probably not a perfect list, but I like it, and I think kids in general know how they <i>should</i> act, even when they are motivated not to act that way to get attention or distract the class or even to irritate me (and there's been plenty of that). I could probably add Mike H's "rule" as another expectation, and maybe I'll consider adding that to my list to round it out a bit. Heaven knows I have a few students who don't get the fact that there <i>are</i> other students in my classes who do want to learn. In my ed philosophy course in university, we were recommended not to have rules but expectations, as a few have mentioned above. I have only four (to keep it simple):

Follow directions the first time. (This one is routinely broken by some students.)
Show common courtesy.
Respect others who are talking. (similar to #2, but worth repeating)
Come to class prepared to learn and to demonstrate what you have learned.

Probably not a perfect list, but I like it, and I think kids in general know how they should act, even when they are motivated not to act that way to get attention or distract the class or even to irritate me (and there’s been plenty of that). I could probably add Mike H’s “rule” as another expectation, and maybe I’ll consider adding that to my list to round it out a bit. Heaven knows I have a few students who don’t get the fact that there are other students in my classes who do want to learn.

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]]> By: Mike Hhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6220 Mike H Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:55:09 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6220 I had one class rule, similar to one of yours, "Act in a way that allows everyone to learn." That was it. I had one class rule, similar to one of yours, “Act in a way that allows everyone to learn.” That was it.

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]]> By: Lizhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6163 Liz Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:36:55 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6163 I love your idea of simple rules! Not only are they easier to remember, but they don't make you seem like a dictator! It's really inspiring to see you promoting school as a fun learning time, as opposed to just a learning time. Just wanted to drop a note saying that I am enjoying your blog! I love your idea of simple rules! Not only are they easier to remember, but they don’t make you seem like a dictator! It’s really inspiring to see you promoting school as a fun learning time, as opposed to just a learning time.

Just wanted to drop a note saying that I am enjoying your blog!

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]]> By: Clixhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6152 Clix Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:47:35 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6152 Hm. I rather like having my classroom expectations (Work Hard, Be Kind, and Follow Directions) posted. It serves as a reminder to me as much as to my students (who will call each other - or me! - out on behavior that doesn't meet the expectations). Hm. I rather like having my classroom expectations (Work Hard, Be Kind, and Follow Directions) posted. It serves as a reminder to me as much as to my students (who will call each other – or me! – out on behavior that doesn’t meet the expectations).

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]]> By: Mohammed Rhalmihttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6148 Mohammed Rhalmi Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:15:26 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6148 Each teacher has his own set of rules. Some are too rigid; others are flexible. As far as I'm concerned, I have my own class mangement policy. The rules I set depend on the behavior that promote learning and not the rules that yield a dead silent classroom. Each teacher has his own set of rules. Some are too rigid; others are flexible. As far as I’m concerned, I have my own class mangement policy. The rules I set depend on the behavior that promote learning and not the rules that yield a dead silent classroom.

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]]> By: Mister Teacherhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6147 Mister Teacher Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:51:09 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6147 Wow Joel! Must be nice! Glad to hear things are running smoothly for you! My class of 3rd graders this year needs to have the rules re-stated about every 5 minutes... Wow Joel! Must be nice! Glad to hear things are running smoothly for you!

My class of 3rd graders this year needs to have the rules re-stated about every 5 minutes…

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]]> By: Mystery Teacherhttp://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/rule-free-teaching/#comment-6146 Mystery Teacher Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:37:33 +0000 http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/?p=1972#comment-6146 I haven't used class rules in my room for years. I have nothing posted. When something happens that interfers with learning, I handle it on the spot. I do not send students to the office unless the infraction is really bad. I also do not set children outside the classroom. (no learning goes on when they are not in the room.) My class this year is just beginning to run super smooth. They know what behavior I expect and they try to meet that behavior. I don't believe in letting students set the rules and consequences either because then they tattle all the time. I haven’t used class rules in my room for years. I have nothing posted. When something happens that interfers with learning, I handle it on the spot. I do not send students to the office unless the infraction is really bad. I also do not set children outside the classroom. (no learning goes on when they are not in the room.) My class this year is just beginning to run super smooth. They know what behavior I expect and they try to meet that behavior.
I don’t believe in letting students set the rules and consequences either because then they tattle all the time.

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