Rules and Rulers
Words are powerful!
The etymology of words is so fascinating and fun and can give us great insight and inspiration to life’s challenges as well as rewards.
According to etymonline.com, the origin of the word rule is “ from Vulgar Latin *regula, from Latin regula “straight stick, bar, ruler;” figuratively “a pattern, a model,” related to regere “to rule, straighten, guide” (from PIE root *reg- “move in a straight line,” with derivatives meaning “to direct in a straight line,” thus “to lead, rule”).”
Rules are a big part of the classroom culture and a teacher’s foundation for managing that culture. However, rules and the rulers who implement them can sometimes create an imbalance in power that controls and suppresses rather than “guides” or “directs in a straight line”.
Usually the teacher has their rules listed on a poster in the classroom, hands out a copy of the rules to the students and goes over them on the first day of class.
Sometimes the rules are in the form of “Don’t” as in “don’t talk when the teacher is talking”.
Sometimes they are in the form of “Be” – “Be quiet and respectful”.
Sometimes they are in the form of “Do” – “Always do your best”.
Sometimes they include absolutes like “never” or “always”.
Whatever form they come in, rules are intended to regulate the culture of the classroom.
Culture, in terms of world languages instruction, is defined as the “products, practices and perspectives” of the people that make up a community.
Notice that the word for ruler also comes from regula as in a straight stick to measure/guide.
So, what can we glean from the etymology of these words, as teachers,
that can help us with our classroom culture? (more…)
