Rules and Procedures for Class

Based on everything I've heard and read during our cohort, the teacher's responsibility for running the class should begin before he even meets the students. A plan should be established such that the rules, procedures, and transitions implemented during class time can go as smoothly as possible. Then, as soon as the teacher enters the classroom on the very first day of class, those procedures should be utilized to set a foundation for the remainder of the year. It may seem like a demeaning comparison, but dog trainers will tell you puppies should begin their training from the moment they first open their eyes so that all negative behaviors are eliminated before they even get an opportunity to foment into major problems. Children have similar learning methods, and the early establishment of fair leadership (but not extreme authority) must be made concrete during the first class. Obviously, these approaches differ greatly depending on whether you are walking into a kindergarten class or a high school math class, but the basic philosophy doesn't change. Some procedures that work well, and that I plan to use, include incorporating a learning opportunity within each transition of the class. For example, before being able to start a new activity, I will quiz the students about material that we have previously covered (this can be implemented on the first day after I introduce myself by simply asking them to name my hometown). By the end of the year, the students will have been quizzed about the majority of the significant lessons I've taught them. Some rules that I feel absolutely firm about in the classroom is the use of respectful language. Since the literature states, time and time again, that it is better to use positive language when discussing class rules, I would avoid saying, "No name-calling" and focus on the way we should talk to each other. I would add that our class is like a team, and a team should stay strong by being positive and respectful, rather than divisive. One non-negotiable rule in the class would be that we will not tolerate any bullying. This must be an absolute because there is never a scenario wherein that kind of treatment is acceptable in the context of a school classroom. An acceptable alternative would be that the student ask for a mediation session with me outside of the normal class time so that we can work out the nature of the problem without accusatory language. An example of a negotiable rule would involve the use of devices like tablets and smartphones. Since I plan to move toward a paperless classroom, these tools are often not only useful but mandatory to complete certain tasks. However, tech devices will only be allowed during designated times when the internet or apps are intrinsic to the lesson and must be stowed away when not imperative to the activity. Additionally, students can often suggest their own reasonable rules for their class so I plan to ask them for their input and then request opinions about that input from the entire class.