Job Discussion Forums

october · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Israel

You are a new teacher or an experienced one. you have entered the classroom many times or not. You have made your own rules in that classroom. Now think of the most important rule you have.

Okay, I'm writing a paper on classroom managment and I'm thinking about Rules in the classroom with the students. we all have them, i hope, and i would really like to know what your most important rule is and why. Did this rule of yours ever get you in trouble? Do you change your rules often or have you pretty much have the same rules for a while?

Appreciate any answers.
Thanks. Wink

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Number one rule: hot potato Wink

Translation: whatever the students throw at you, throw right back at them.

REsult: no sweat on your part in any situation, works almost every time and if it doesn't, buys you precious time

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Rule No. 1. Try. Say something, anything in English. Don't be shy about making mistakes. If I don't hear you, I can't fix what's broken.

Rule No. 2. Ask me anything. If I don't know it, I'll find it. And, soon. Even if the answer is "that's just the way things are", I'm giving you an answer.

Rule No. 3. Try not to learn English by rote memorization. Don't memorize dialogues. Learn tools.

I have never been bitten by any of these rules.

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

Always make sure the students know why they are doing what they're doing - I like to provide justification for every stage in a class activity, (unless it's deliberately being kept a secret for the element of surprise).

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

Nowadays my most important rule is that students must take initiative in their own learning. Not that I don't teach, but it is they who must become proficient at English. Last time I checked, I already was.

I cannot stand in front of them and magically cause knowledge to enter their brains. The onus is on them to speak in class - to the degree that it is possible. I rarely "call on" students - I only ask for volunteers. I try to give pair/group work assignments in each class where they have a chance to talk (and I watch them like hawks to make sure that it's on topic and in English.)

In Japan my #1 rule was more self centered - try to survive long enough to become a better teacher.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

My rule is that only those who make efforts merit rewards!
If they don't volunteer then that's their fault!

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

No (god damn) mobile phones!

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

october · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Israel

Thank you all for your quick responses. I hope to get more. Laughing

I have some comments/questions:
shmoog - I didnt get the "hot potato" thing??
Martink- how do you apply your rule in the classroom - i think this is a great belief and a way to work but can you apply it as a rule?

On that note - is there a difference between our beliefs and the rules we set in the classroom?

Debalky · Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 79 Location: hell on earth

Yes there is a difference,
I think I believe that all students deserve to be given equal oportunity to learn, BUT, its impossible to make it happen. So I spend half my time trying to teach the interested ones and the other half trying to control those who aren't interested. Some days it's a lot more than half my time trying to control the nasty one though Evil or Very Mad

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

October - "hot potato" refers to a technique I use where I refuse to deal with anything the students throw at me but throw it back.

This includes questions about grammar, spelling, needing equipment "I forgot my pen, teacher...", even personal info for a new student from students who know me well. I refuse to do anything that they cannot do for themselves.

It creates room for autonomy, peer teaching and self-facilitation. It means that I am part of the team and not the panacea. It gives me a break and also helps to buy me time if I actually don't know the answer (yes, Gordon, it happens Wink

)

Do you get it now?

Actually, I should have said in my hot potato way: "What do you think it means?"

leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

shmooj - I'm sure you understand far more about how to teach in Japan than I, so please don't see this as a criticism or disagreement!

When a student asks me how to spell something I tell/show them, and nine times out of ten if I am asked a direct question (be it about grammar, or whatever) - I will try to answer clearly and immediately.

It frustrates my students when I answer a question with another, usually if they ask me something it's because they honestly don't know - not because they are too lazy to find out for themselves.

I understand that you are trying to breed autonomy in Japanese classrooms, whereas my predominantly European classes perhaps don't need that same push.

october · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Israel

your "hot potato" rule seems kind of harsh. I can understand your motive for such a method although since i am very sensitive to the diversity of my students i know that i can use this only as a method not a rule. Perhaps you should think of it as a teaching method and not as a rule?? if you agree with me, you owe me a rule Laughing

I do think that "hot potato" is a great game and really can be used in many ways in the class. I remember having this game when i was a kid...