Rules in a classroom are very important. Without them.....well, you'd still have chaos, just not the controlled chaos needed to run a classroom. But seriously, rules are the key to a great classroom. Rules help guide the day, give structure to the learning, and keep a teacher sane and happy. When I first started teaching I used to let the kids help decide the rules.
We'd all gather around on the carpet and decide on the best way to conduct ourselves in the classroom. I'd say "Alright kids, what should be the rules of our classroom."
I'd get all kinds of answers.
"Don't hit each other"
"Be Nice"
"Don't kick your neighbor"
"Listen to the teacher"
"Don't spit on the teacher's shoes"
......wait, what was that?!?!?!?!?!
will you repeat that last one please.
"Don't spit on the teachers shoes."
Seriously, this really big, loveable, kid with a thick, Mr. Miagi-espue accent (you know, Karate Kid) raised his hand and said "Don't spit on the teacher's shoes."
I wasn't really sure what to say. "Don't spit on the teacher's shoes." So profound, so true, so filled with wisdom.........and so exceedingly random. I mean no hitting, not kicking, no lying, no cheating......these all make sense. But "Don't spit on the teacher's shoes????"
To this day, it still makes me laugh.
P.S. The next year I just decided to bypass the kids suggestions and make the rules up myself. Perhaps I should let the kids have another crack at it.
You've heard it asked a million times I know. I mean, haven't we all been asked this question????
"Where Do I Put This Potato I Brought To School?"
What?!?!?!?
You've never heard those words before????
Well, we here in the world of Elementary Education hear questions, random questions, just like this on a daily basis. This website is dedicated to all the crazy things we see and hear at school every single day. All those random things said and done that make elementary school such a funny place to work.
Hope you enjoy
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