Allowing the Students to Create the Class Rules

Steps for Creating Classroom Rules With Students

Aug 6, 2009 Jennifer Wagaman

Allowing the students to decide on the class rules is great but takes a little bit of preparation.

Allowing students to create the classroom rules is a great way to engage students in the rule making process and ensure greater understanding of the rules. There is some preparation and planning that goes into a successful rule-making session, though.

Decide on Class Rules

The first step in allowing students to create their own class rules is for the teacher to decide on what rules he or she wants to have. While this may seem counter-intuitive, it is a vital step towards making sure that the teacher has complete control over the class behavior throughout the year.

These rules that the teacher decides on ahead of time should be thought of as more general category rules than specifics, unless there is a specific rule that must be included. For example, some rules that work well include: Respect each other, and Safety first.

Class Rules Brainstorming Session

Once the teacher has decided on some general class rules, it is time to bring the students into the picture. The first day of school, the teacher needs to make time for the students to brainstorm ideas for the class rules. Students will generally be excited about having a say in what rules they must follow through the school year.

The teacher needs to write each rule on the black board as the students suggest ideas. Every idea goes on the board. After there are quite a few ideas listed, it is time to start grouping rules together. This is where the teacher’s preparation comes into play. The students do not know that the teacher has already decided upon rules, but will readily agree that Respect each other is a great category rule for:

Take turns talking
Raise hand before speaking
Do not hit
Do not steal
Etc.

Safety First can cover the following rules:

Do not run
Do not hit
Keep all four chair legs on the floor
Etc.

Agreeing on Class Rules

The teacher needs to group the student’s rules into a total of about three to five class rules. If there are more than that, ask the students which rules are more important and which rules do not really need to be listed. In general, most rules should be able to fit neatly in the category rules that the teacher already decided upon.

If there is a specific important rule that the students did not mention, the teacher is welcome to prompt them to add that rule during the brainstorming session. That is the beauty of brainstorming – everyone needs to contribute and no ideas are stupid. Having students participate together to create the class rules is a great way to start the school year.

Learn some ideas for class rules for younger elementary students.

Need more ideas? Check out classroom management tips and quick tips for student discipline.

More tips on getting ready to go back to school.

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