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?
Culture = products, practices and perspectives.
Sometimes the products, in other words how the rules are stated, how many there are, etc.can be difficult to prioritize, manage and even express to others because the different perspectives and practices may not be taken into consideration.
Sometimes the practices of how the rules will be implemented and what the consequences will be if they are not followed can be unclear or inconsistent, which may create further problems and greater pushback.
Sometimes classroom conflict comes up when the student’s (or parent’s) perspective is different from that of the teacher.
How can a teacher regulate the community of students to create a desired classroom culture?
The key word in COMMUNITY.
The teacher is not a ruler in the sense of someone who dictates and gives directives that are from only one perspective and only in his or her best interest.
If the rules are too strict or worded in such a way that is intimidating, challenging or in any way off-putting to the students, there will be students who shut down or those who rebel or those who just check out of the learning process and don’t engage at all in the classroom culture.
The classroom community is primarily made up of the teacher and the students.
(an aside = in reality, the parents and other colleagues/admin in the school are part of this community as well because they will sometimes be called upon to also help regulate the products and practices).
It takes a village??? Always a best practice, no matter the products or perspectives!
Classroom rules have really worked best, in my experience and observation of successful, productive, happy and healthy classrooms, is when the teacher and the students brainstorm on the first day of class what they want the practices and perspectives to be on desired behaviors in the classroom…on the part of the teacher and on the part of the students.
It is a partnership.
It is a relationship.
It is all about Venn diagraming COMMON goals, values, beliefs, etc. (perspectives) to UNIFY all stakeholders to work cooperatively toward those commonly shared outcomes and the greater good of the COMMUNITY and CULTURE.
And the rules should reflect the practices and perspectives on both parts so that there is a sense of commUNITY in which everyone comes together for the greater good of the classroom, teaching, learning and desired outcomes.
Instead of an inspirational song, I offer up this website for teachers to find inspiration and strategies for how to create common classroom rules as well as some ideas of how to establish a more effective classroom culture that flourishes and grows.
Photo credit: St. Augustine Oldest Schoolhouse 1872 Rules for Teachers
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