Classroom Expecrulations: What Exactly are they?

Written By Nagham Alsamari

We hear many teachers and schools talk about classroom rules. Teachers demand that students follow the rules they have set in their classroom. How many of us have heard a teacher or a principal ask students questions like "are you following the rules?," "how many times have we gone over the classroom rules?," or "how many times have I told you to follow the rules?."

The answer to the question is too many times. The fact of the matter is, adults break rules daily knowing fully they have broken the rules. You want examples?

Speeding, sharing a Netflix account, not washing hands after using the restroom, cutting in line, to name a few.

We expect children ages 4-18 to remember a set of rules we set up in the classroom and follow them everyday of the year. The better question is what are we the adults doing to help these children remember and follow the rules?

If it takes us an amount of time to practice, remember and follow a set of rules I think we should give children a break. As they're growing, there is so much they're exposed to and are constantly in the process of learning about their world. How do they learn you might ask? By observing everything around them, INCLUDING WHAT WE DO.

So let's ask again, what are the adults doing to help these children remember and follow the rules? ~ Here is my answer to the question:

1. Change the name to expectations - rules are meant to be broken and have a negative connotation

2. Build the expectations together as ONE learning community instead of imposing your expectations on to them

3. Keep them simple and easy to remember - there is so much they have to remember already. Plus it is easier for you to remember and implement

4. Model, rehears, practice, repeat - for how long? As long as it takes. It is a process not a one time thing and done.

5. Praise the positive - It will take everyone's attention and focus it on the positive that's going on instead of singling out the unwanted behavior. Children copy what they see, remember? Let them see something positive. From you and from the students who are doing the positive

Finally, have fun learning with your students!

Oh, what are expecrulations? It's just a word I made up to catch your attention and get you thinking. And it’s obviously a mix between rules and expectations. There is no magic powder. There is only magic US.