Classroom Rules and Procedures

Social Norms and Rules

A good classroom community includes well thought out and explained rules and procedures. Now, there is a difference between rules and procedures and this distinction must be made in order to create successful and useful rules and procedures. Rules are the why something is done whereas the procedures state how you are going to do something. They go hand in hand but the procedures must be clear and concise otherwise they will not work and create issues. As an Art teacher, my rules and procedures will have some overlap with other classroom's but there are some things that are specific to the art classroom. I have always been an activist for using social contracts where students help create them so they have a say in the social norms of the classroom and so they know that it isn't just my rules it's also theirs. The art room is for everyone and it is their space to create so it only makes sense that they have a say in how the classroom runs and the expectations. This is also a technique that is used in student centered teaching because you are keeping the students needs and wants included in the conversation.

I will create the social contracts with each class on the first day of class Some of the social norms that are expected in my classroom are students and teacher are considerate and caring to each other and their peers. Student's and teacher come prepared, and when not, have the ability to go with the flow and find a solution quickly and calmly. Student's and teacher keep the classroom organized, relaxed, safe and productive the entire class period. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself. And of course, have fun! If any of these rules are broke, the first step is a conversation with the teacher. Then, if further steps must be taken, the next step would be to take a break in the chill chair. I really don't ever want to give students detention or send them out of the classroom because then they miss out on learning and creating time. I do understand that it is necessary for safety reasons or based on what works for the student so I will use it if I must.

Rewards!

As stated in my Philosophy of Classroom Management, I do believe in giving students rewards but I am more into experience rewards rather than physical rewards. Face paint, free art days or other activities that still involve art are the types of rewards I would give out. I feel that rewards give students more motivation and teach them that it is ok to not always win something. They also strive to be the student that get's the reward every class period and eventually they do. I also like the use of Table Points. In an art classroom, I use color coding to organize my tables and these colored tables and can earn points by staying on task, walking to seats quietly, keeping hands to themselves and treating materials appropriately and safely. The table with the most points at the end of the class period gets a small prize (face paint, sticker, etc.)

Procedures

Procedures are some of the most important processes to have in a classroom. These are just a few of the ones that I have in my classroom. I chose these 6 procedures because in the art classroom it is important to keep order and organization during the entire class period. Some are processes that will be used during transition times whereas others are for materials and how the are treated. Transition times can be especially hard on students and structure is needed at every moment otherwise chaos arrises.

1. Walking into the classroom

• Students stay in line order at entry of door

• Teacher greets in hallway

• Students walk with hands at side and voices off into the classroom

• Student's follow the white line and stay standing on it until teacher walks into the classroom

• Students wait for further instructions and then are released to seats

• Table points can be earned for the tables that are the quickest and quietest

2. Transitioning to gather materials

• Students will be given jobs based on the number they sit at (1-5)

• Teacher gives jobs and writes on the board

• Teacher releases students to gather materials quickly and quietly

• Students gather materials as quick and quiet as they can and then go back to their tables

• Table points can be earned during this time

3. Transitioning to put materials away

• Teacher instructs students to stop working by signaling (Give me 5)

• Teacher instructs students to put away the materials away by job number

• Timer is set (2-5 min)

• Once teacher says go, put materials away

• Sit back down once materials are put away and table is clean

• First table to have materials put away and be sitting quietly gets a table point

4. Leaving the classroom

• Teacher dismisses tables one by one (quietest first)

• Students stand up

• Push in chair

• Quietly walk to white line and stand in line order

• Students wait quietly for teacher to dismiss them to their home teacher

5. Washing Brushes

• Put brushes into the sink

• Turn on water

• Gather 2-3 brushes in one hand with brush head facing down

• Use opposite hand's palm and rub brushes in a circular motion while water is running over them

• Do this motion until water coming out of brushes runs clear

• Lay brushes onto clean dry towel

• Repeat with remaining brushes

6. Going to Bathroom or get a drink

• Poster with signs are around the classroom

• Raise hand with one finger up to get a drink

• Raise hand with two fingers up to go to the bathroom

• Raise hand with three fingers up to go to the office

• Teacher addresses you or gives you a head nod

• Grab a bathroom or hall pass from the door and place at seat

• Return pass once you arrive back to the classroom