Kelli McGraw

In preparation for leaving my classes to another teacher, I was trying to work out how to explain to her, and to the class, what was important about our classroom management.  In particular I have been thinking about my Year 8 class, who are a relaxed and cheerful bunch, with a lot of energy (no, I’m not being euphemistic here…not entirely anyway!), and although at times they could probably work harder, students are almost always engaged, happy, and trying their best.

So, I have made this new set of class rules to hand on to the next teacher, and also to give the kids before I go, so they know what they can expect to stay the same.  Of course, the school has it’s own set of generic rules, but my management style with the class has kind of evolved over time, without us explicitly talking about it.

8A RULES

1. We promise to sit quietly and pay attention to instructions, as long as the teacher doesn’t take too long to give them.
2. We always try to put our hand up before interrupting others, and to save our questions until the end of the teacher’s explanation, unless it is important.
3. We promise to work hard in class, as long as the teacher promises to encourage us and to help us to improve and do our best.
4. We always try to do our homework, because if we don’t, we might fall behind in class or slow the class down, which disadvantages ourselves and others.  We can always ask for help.
5. If one of us is unsettled, or is a distraction to others, we know the teacher might move us to another table, or to a table outside.  We know this is only to help us do our best, and that after half a period we can ask to return.
6. We always try our best to help each other learn.

Does anyone out there use something similar (i.e. with teacher expectations woven in as well)?