Lesson Four | Teaching the Rules
Teach the Rules to the Students
It is helpful to present classroom rules both visually and orally to promote communication and reduce misunderstandings. The rules can be displayed prominently on a poster or board, printed in handout form or on bookmarks or book covers, and copied by the students in their notebooks. For preschool and primary pupils, and for students with cognitive handicaps, it is helpful to role-play each rule as part of the explanatory process. Involving students in teaching one another via skits and role-playing situations also is helpful.
Classroom rules should be reviewed orally at regular intervals and constructive changes made when necessary. In summary, students (and sometimes staff) must be helped to actively learn the code of conduct, not just presented with a paper or booklet and left to their own devices.
Inform Parents and Solicit Their Support
Parental support helps classroom rules to be effective. Therefore, share the final draft with parents. A letter home, or an e-mail detailing the rules can help to avoid misunderstandings and solicit increased parental support. Request that the parents sign the letter, or return an e-mail response, to indicate that they agree to the rules and have discussed them with their youngsters. It also can be helpful to review the rules with parents at assemblies and parent meetings. Using such forms of communication gives evidence that parents have seen, heard, and support the code of conduct.
Review the Rules Periodically and Revise as Necessary
Rules should be reviewed orally as needed, and are never written in cement. They are working drafts that will need to be modified as the law, staff, and student body change.
