Reason behind rules

In my classroom I have different rules and procedures that my students follow.

Every time I create a rule or use some type of rule I explain the reasoning. I want them to know why we have certain rules.

This definitely adds some more time to the rule making process, but it’s useful. It also means that all rules need to be useful and have some reasoning. It means you can’t have rules “because I said so and I’m the teacher.” Those rules don’t work.

But honestly those rules are likely useless rules anyways, so it’s okay if they don’t have those rules.

It also means that I can point to a rule written on the board if one of my students fails to follow it and they immediately know what they did and why they shouldn’t do it.

You may have to remind students of the rules and why you follow them because some of them may be less familiar. But let’s be honest, they’re kids.

I also think it communicates a respect for students when you explain rules. It tells your students that you understand that they deserve to know why certain things need to be done in certain ways. That attitude alone changes a lot about the classroom culture and your relationship with your students.

ISJ