Monday, February 17, 2014

Classroom rules

(TESOL Worksheets--Classroom Management)
Older Children: drive, docs, pub
Younger Children: drive, docs, pub
Addendum--Rules for University students in an EAP program: docs, pub
[This is a list of classroom rules that I used for a younger group of students (L1 Khmer).  It was designed after a workshop on classroom management by a colleague.  The idea is to have all the rules and punishments clearly laid out at the beginning of the class, so that the system can run itself mechanically, and I don't have to waste energy getting angry at a student who disturbs the class.  The student is simply asked what rule they have broken, and then they are assigned the appropriate punishment.
These rules were designed to reflect the particular problems I was having with my particular classes. 
At the beginning of class, the students read out the rules out loud together.  (This has the added benefit of hopefully reinforcing the use of the "should/shouldn't" module.--I contemplated starting each rule with "Thou shalt not," instead of "shouldn't", but decided against it.)]


Classroom Rules
1. You shouldn't talk when the teacher is explaining something.
2. You shouldn't talk when another student is answering a question.
3.  You shouldn't talk during the listening.
4. You shouldn't make any other noises during the listening.
5.  You shouldn't fight.
6. You shouldn't use a phone in class.
7. You shouldn't throw or kick anything.
8. You shouldn't shout.
9. You shouldn't leave your seat without permission.
10. You shouldn't come late.
11. You shouldn't respond in Khmer if the teacher asks a question in English.
12. You shouldn't spill your food or drink.
13. You shouldn't do anything else which will disturb the class.
14. And, you shouldn't say anything rude or insulting to your classmates.

If you break any of these rules, you will get put on the level system.  Your name will be written on the board, along with the time.  You will have 30 minutes.  If no other rules are broken during those 30 minutes, your name will be erased (or moved down one level).

Level 1: Warning

Level 2: Change your seat

Level 3: Stay after class and complete additional writing homework

Level 4: Your parents will be called

Footnote
I should make it clear that rule number 11 is a classroom management issue, and not an effort to punish students for using their L1.  I have no problem with students using their L1 in class if they are not yet comfortable using English, but my big problem was when I asked a question in class, and several students would yell out (as a joke) responses in Cambodian that interfered with me hearing the English responses.



Further Addendum: Picture cards for very young learners.  Meant to elicit pay attention, listen, no fighting, no throwing things, and raise your hand to leave your seat.

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