If your classroom looks anything like this↑, you probably need to talk about classroom rules again!
Just kidding. Well at least I hope your class doesn't look like this :o.
The above picture is a project I love to use in my classes when talking about rules.
It is essential to fix rules right at the beginning and you might have to remind the children of those rules every now and then.
First of all it is important that you don't just stand in front of the class and dictate your rules.
How much do you like to be told what you have to do? Isn't it much cooler when you can do what you have in your mind?
So the first thing I do is to discuss WITH the children how they want their classroom to be and how do we achieve that. What can they expect from me and what I can expect from them.
Now as an ESL teacher this is the tricky part, because explaing them all this in English ... if they would understand all that, they would probably not be with you! So you might have to use their L1 or if you don't speak their language you may want to ask another teacher or assistant to help you with this task. But believe me, it is something you HAVE to do or they will play ping pong with you all year long.
So we talk about what rules we need to establish in the classroom so that we will all have a great time together. I ask them for their ideas and you would be amazed about the answers they may give you.
Don't think that they will be easy going on themselves. Usually they give so many rules that I have to eliminate some of them (in a nice way).
You may want to add one or two that are very important in case they didn't mention it, but make it look like it's their idea through asking questions. For example if they forgot to say that they shouldn't shout, you may want to ask them if they prefer a quite classroom or everybody shouting (you gave two options ;), they choose which one it will be - I yet have to come across a class that wants a noisy classroom!. Since the rules have been their ideas, they are more likely to keep them.
So now you are at a stage, where the kids themselves came up with the rules.
Many teachers use posters in order to remind them of them.
Poster are great visuals, but something that is even more fun is, when the kids make them themselves.
I have to give credit to this idea to a fellow teacher I have the honor to work with. I saw what she did a few years ago and just thought it was brilliant. So I stole this idea from her ;) and am using it ever since. It's working like a charm.
We take pictures of our rules in action and then post them on the wall. I use a red background for the things that you shouldn't do and green for the ones that you should do.
Here are some examples of rules the kids came up with alone (age 6-10).
Btw, sorry guys, but as a protection for the children you will never see me post their faces.
I know, it's a lot nicer to see the emotions on their faces, but I'm sure you understand :).
The above picture is a project I love to use in my classes when talking about rules.
It is essential to fix rules right at the beginning and you might have to remind the children of those rules every now and then.
First of all it is important that you don't just stand in front of the class and dictate your rules.
How much do you like to be told what you have to do? Isn't it much cooler when you can do what you have in your mind?
So the first thing I do is to discuss WITH the children how they want their classroom to be and how do we achieve that. What can they expect from me and what I can expect from them.
Now as an ESL teacher this is the tricky part, because explaing them all this in English ... if they would understand all that, they would probably not be with you! So you might have to use their L1 or if you don't speak their language you may want to ask another teacher or assistant to help you with this task. But believe me, it is something you HAVE to do or they will play ping pong with you all year long.
So we talk about what rules we need to establish in the classroom so that we will all have a great time together. I ask them for their ideas and you would be amazed about the answers they may give you.
Don't think that they will be easy going on themselves. Usually they give so many rules that I have to eliminate some of them (in a nice way).
You may want to add one or two that are very important in case they didn't mention it, but make it look like it's their idea through asking questions. For example if they forgot to say that they shouldn't shout, you may want to ask them if they prefer a quite classroom or everybody shouting (you gave two options ;), they choose which one it will be - I yet have to come across a class that wants a noisy classroom!. Since the rules have been their ideas, they are more likely to keep them.
So now you are at a stage, where the kids themselves came up with the rules.
Many teachers use posters in order to remind them of them.
Poster are great visuals, but something that is even more fun is, when the kids make them themselves.
I have to give credit to this idea to a fellow teacher I have the honor to work with. I saw what she did a few years ago and just thought it was brilliant. So I stole this idea from her ;) and am using it ever since. It's working like a charm.
We take pictures of our rules in action and then post them on the wall. I use a red background for the things that you shouldn't do and green for the ones that you should do.
Here are some examples of rules the kids came up with alone (age 6-10).
Btw, sorry guys, but as a protection for the children you will never see me post their faces.
I know, it's a lot nicer to see the emotions on their faces, but I'm sure you understand :).
Listen
Don't climb on tables
Respect each other
and of course the first photo from above "Don't fight". We came up with many more, but you want to keep it simple. Too many rules can become confusing and frustrating for kids. Imagine you see 10 red posters on the wall with things you are not allowed to do. Simple and easy is the magic formula.
Respecting each other includes a lot of other things (such as don't shout at each other, don't pull the hair of somebody, etc. So no need to make 10 posters with all the details. 1 is enough.)
I can't tell you how much fun the kids have posing for the pics, especially for those situations they are normally not allowed to do :p Enjoy!!!
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