Let students make their own classroom rules?

[skjosh]

Hello guys, I am wondering if you think it would be a good idea to let high school students create their own set of classroom rules. I've had college professors do this and I feel since we had the input in which rules to follow we would actually follow them (or to an extent), and I am wondering if it would have the same effect. Or would it make me look like a pushover and kind of lose class respect.

[sambalina]

I've tried this on a small scale. I had students make up rules and set punishments for when watching a film. I did it with a few different classes, and they came up with very good rules and very fair punishments. I found it worked really well. So, I say go for it - but be prepared. Know where you want it to go, and what you're prepared to do. You HAVE to follow through or the rules are useless anyway.

Also, be ready with suggestions and prompts. Like:
T: So, what happens if you talk?
St: Tell us to stop.
T: and if you keep talking?
St: Umm, stand at the back of the room.
T: Ok, and if you STILL talk?
St: .... Ummmm?
T: How about writing lines?
St: Yes, ok.
T: How many?
.....
And so on.


Best of luck :)

[skjosh]

Cool! Maybe, I'll make a few of my own and have them make their own as well, but I'm glad to hear that it worked out :D

[vw08]

I'd recommend having a list of issues that you would like addressed like behavior in class, what they should bring, homework policies etc. already prepared so that you can help direct the conversation students do not make enough suggestions.  Even creating a "contract" for them to sign as a class might help to emphasize that this is not just a rhetorical activity, but the actual rules that will dictate their time in English class that they must adhere to.  This activity can be a way of showing your students that you view them as mature and trust them to govern their own behavior.