How to Establish Classroom Rules With Student Input

Involving students in the decision making process leads to more involvement and better behavior on their part. It gives them a sense of ownership if they have a legitimate part in what's happening. Allowing them to have a say in establishing classroom rules is one of the first and easiest ways to start that involvement.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Marker or chalk
• Note cards or slips of paper if you want ideas submitted anonymously
• A piece of cardstock or posterboard large enough to print 5 to 8 rules on in letters that can be seen from the back of the room.

1. Discuss with the students the need for rules and the importance of obeying them.
2. Write 1 or 2 common sense classroom rules on the board. For example, "Be in your seat when class begins" or "Keep your hands and feet to yourself."
3. Ask the students to brainstorm additional classroom rules. You can call on them individually and write their suggestions on the board, or you can have them write their suggestions on note cards or slips of paper. Encourage them to be serious about the suggestions.
4. Write the suggestions on the board and eliminate or combine any that are alike.
5. Ask the students to help you narrow the choices down until you are left with 5 or 6 to add to the 1 or 2 you've already established. Put them in order of importance.
6. Print the chosen rules, in order, on the cardstock or posterboard and display it at the front of the room.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have more than one class, pick the best suggestion from each period. Make sure each period knows what has already been chosen.
• Do not let the discussion get out of hand with a lot of silly, irrelevant suggestions.