Teachers: Have you ever tried a system in which the students create their own rules?

Question

My educational psychology instructor, who was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years explained to us that she used a system in which she allowed the students to create the class rules. Have you ever tried a system such as this, and if so, how did you go about it. Did you honor every students suggestion, or did you kind of revise the list by merging similar rules into one?

Answer 1

Love2teach has the right idea.

You can group the rules on the board so that when students suggest a rule that is very similar to one already mentioned you can write them together. Then explain to the kids that some of these rules are exactly the same idea; for example one rule may be "respect each other" and another kid may say "do not talk when others are talking" and "be polite" or maybe "treat each other kindly." You can summarize these all by saying that the rule will read "Respect each other" but that this rule means... all of the things that are mentioned. This way the students get a clear idea of what respecting each other means. There is no confusion when they break the rule.

You can write the 5-10 main rules on a poster board, but you can also type a sheet that says 1. Respect each other... then mention the other things under it. The kids can keep that in their binder. If they forget what it means to respect each other they can review it. ;-)

Most teacher will tell you that when kids come up with their own rules they often are more strict then you may have been and they also try harder to follow the rules because they feel a sense of ownership.

Answer 2

That's how I do it every year. I guide the discussion to get the students to come up with rules I want for the classroom anyway. They usually give really specific rules that we work together as a class to make more general (lots of things can fall under "Respect everyone"). The students feel empowered because they make the rules, and I can hold it against them when they break the rules ("You broke the rule you made yourself!"). I'm not brave enough to let them decide the consequences, but I always ask for their input when they've earned rewards.

Answer 3

In the beginning of the school year (if you are teaching K-5) you ask the children to raise their hands and give their opinion about what rules should be enforced in the classroom. After putting them on the board, the class then votes on the top five. You then put it up on poster board and laminate it, and then post them in the room.

When you give the kids an opportunity to decide what rules there will be in the room, they feel "important" and part of the decision process (democratic classroom enviroment...).

If you are a teacher who maintains discipline, the above really works!!

Answer 4

I have not, but I had a colleague that tried it and it was terrible. She changed her philosophy about rules/procedures in the classroom the next day and decided to never try that again. Complete chaos. Plus, she had to keep straight which class period had set which rules, etc. It got very complicated. In the end, she set up rules/procedures that were standard for all classes so she could stay consistent.

Answer 5

we did that my junior year in high school history class it was great we through in suggestions the teacher pulled what he like dchanged them up a little to be resonable and it worked all year because he didnt say nothing if we broke rules it was all on us we had to correct everyone i learned more in that class than any other history class ive had

Answer 6

Great idea, kids are running the world as it is now, because parents can't disipline their kids anymore, so whats left is kids that are out of hand, have no manners, no respect, and are continuously causing trouble. A swift kick in the butt would be the best idea.