Comments on: The Only Classroom Rules You’ll Ever Need

By: Michael Linsin

Michael Linsin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:34:42 +0000

Hi Ann,

I am writing an article on this topic for an art teacher website. I’ll be sure to make note of it, and link to it, in a future article.

Michael

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:38:29 +0000

Hi Michael,
I am an Art teacher and see about 1,000 4th, 5th and 6th grade students every two weeks. Most of my classes are fine, however, there are some that have at least 6 to 8 students who are disrespectful and disruptive. Sometimes I feel so drained. Do you have any specific advice for people working with this number of students? Thanks. Ann

By: Michael Linsin

Michael Linsin — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:28:49 +0000

Hi Shawn,

Yes, it absolutely falls under your plan. If you ask a student to get on with his work, and he doesn’t despite being capable, then follow your classroom management plan.

Michael

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:48:55 +0000

Hi, Michael. A question about a behavior and how/where it falls in the plan. If a child is not following basic directions, like he doesn’t take his agenda out to write homework assignments down, then this is clearly a violation of that rule. But what about doing work or completing assignments? So, the math lesson is taught, the assignment is given, but one student does 3-4 questions over the next 30 minutes. He’s capable. That’s not the issue. And this is done throughout the day (and in previous grade levels) in every subject area. Obviously, this is a problem. But is this a BEHAVIOR problem? Does it fall under your discipline plan in any way or do you address that in a different way?

Thanks!
Shawn

By: Michael Linsin

Michael Linsin — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:08:46 +0000

Hi Shawn,

I’m glad you like the site! The student you refer to would indeed receive a consequence. The rule broken would be #1: Listen and follow directions.

Michael

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 04:56:53 +0000

Hi, Michael. LOVE your site. A question about a rule that I have and most teachers I know also have. Something that goes like this…Be an attentive listener. Part of what that looks like when modeled and practiced is eye contact, voice off, and calm body. My question is, in your rules I don’t see anywhere where you refer to listening. So, let’s say a student is playing with their pencil or shoelaces or simply not making eye contact during a lesson. Clearly that’s a problem, right? How do you enforce that in your classroom? Which rule would that violate?

Thank you!

By: Michael Linsin

Michael Linsin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:30:06 +0000

Hi Mike,

If it’s an issue, then definitely include it. However, although I think the rules I recommend work for most classroom situations, it’s important that your rules fit your students and the environment you teach in. Along those lines, I’d like to recommend the article, The Classroom Management Mindset. I think it explains the how and why of creating rules well.

Michael

By: Mike Caliari

Mike Caliari — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 01:27:44 +0000

Hi Michael,
I teach 10th grade World History. I like your rules and will probably “borrow” them for this upcoming year. Do you feel #4 would still work for 10th grade. I almost feel as if it’s a little bit more for the lower grades, but hand and feet problems are still an issue for some students at this level. What do you think?

By: Michael Linsin

Michael Linsin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:15:41 +0000

Hi Matt,

I like it. I think it’s a good, enforceable rule, particularly for middle school students.

Michael

By: Matt Aguilar

Matt Aguilar — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 02:34:11 +0000

I really like the rules you posted, they are what I was looking for and plan on using. I was wondering what you thought about the rule “Come to class prepared and ready to learn.”

Thank you,
~Matt