I used to hate them. The rules for entering the classroom. The rules for turning in homework. The rules for sharpening your pencil during class. The rules for... the list continues. And the punishment for breaking the rules could include anything from embarrassment in front of your peers to a trip to the office or a call home. I used to wonder whether it was really worth the teacher pitching a fit because a student got up to sharpen his pencil during a lecture. Is that really necessary, beneficial, or even respectful? To yell at a student when we teach them not to respond by yelling?
In short, no. But, I have learned the benefits of establishing some procedures. For example, I want my students to have their homework out on their desk when class begins. Why? Because it allows me to quickly check their work (I only check for completion/attempt), uses minimal class-time to complete a mathematically insignificant process (putting a grade down for homework), and it allows me to immediately see who was able to complete the assignment instead of having to wait until after class to grade papers*.
So what procedures are healthy? How does one determine that a certain procedure is actually providing stability and an outlet rather than an unnecessary hurdle for learning? And finally, what is the best way to teach and enforce procedures?
More to come, I'm sure. I'm only four weeks in. But I'm sick and I'm pretty sure no one is going to respond or leave comments anyway. Helloooooo tylenol.
*Added bonus: Its an opportunity for me to be near every student in the first 3 minutes of class. I think breaking that physical barrier of the teacher behind the desk or in front of the room make me much more approachable from a student's perspective. Also, it helps with classroom management (I think) because it means that just because someone is sitting in the back does not mean that they are out of my "reach."
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