Freedom through Rules

Positive and productive choices.

All schools have rules, but a school’s philosophy determines whether a child simply follows the rules or whether he understands the purpose they serve. Successfully implementing classroom rules begins by teaching students to think logically and rationally about their responsibility in the classroom.

Classroom rules can be as simple as respecting yourself, the teacher, and the right of your classmates to learn. These simple rules become more meaningful, however, when teachers help students to understand why they are important. For example, a teacher might ask, “What would happen if all the students spoke out during the lesson?” The ensuing discussion will lead students to a better understanding of how they all benefit from classroom rules. Ultimately, they will come to understand that classroom rules protect their rights and that as the rules are followed, their freedoms actually increase. They now have the freedom to learn what their teacher is presenting.

Choice and Consequence

Developing a climate of independence and problem solving in the classroom enhances students’ abilities to manage themselves. Students flourish when they are taught that all choices have consequences and begin to recognize the consequences of their own behavior. Teachers can support this growing understanding by maintaining consistent expectations for behavior. When students are consistently held to a standard, behavior will rise to meet expectations. If not, the unstated message is that the students are incapable of meeting the standard, and their ability to manage themselves has been weakened.

Teachers and parents should determine the reason for a child’s misbehavior and help him make good choices by teaching or re-teaching the positive behavior that is expected. They should continue talking to the child about the consequences of behaviors. Finally, students experience the benefits of freedom gained by making good choices.

Jen Justis, a second grade teacher at Challenger School’s Everest campus includes a discussion about consequences in her classroom management plan. She says, “Learning about consequences is very helpful for second graders. They learn that every choice they make has a consequence, good or bad, even if that consequence is only a feeling. Confidence and self-worth are usually the result of positive and productive choices. As consequences result from the choices a student makes, that child sees the connection and takes responsibility for his or her actions. As a teacher, it is especially gratifying to watch a child experience the joyful feelings that occur when a positive, productive choice leads to accomplishment.”

Independence

Emphasizing the importance of rules at the beginning of each year helps students understand their responsibilities in the classroom and will save time and promote student growth as the year progresses. Once the students truly understand their role in the classroom, learning becomes the priority. They will develop skills in managing daily routines independently and experience growing feelings of self confidence. This confidence and independence is the reward for demonstrating growing maturity in their choices.