Teach Your Students Values, Instead Of Rules
Many of you might roll your eyes at the title of this post and shake your heads in disagreement, but I strongly believe that I’m on the right track here. You see, rules can be broken, values, on the other hand, become a part of who you are and decipher which choices you will make. For instance, if you lack values, you are likely to make the wrong choices. If you have strong values however, you are more likely to steer on the right path.
Did you know that research has shown time and time again that kids become what they are told they are?! - http://www.building-brilliance.com
I see this in my three-year-old every day, he either mimics what we do, or he does what he is told he is. For instance, if he starts doing something silly, we say “oh my, you are being such a clown”, and for the rest of the day, he will continue to act like a clown, mostly for the attention it gets him! So, as parents and teachers alike, we not only need to watch what we do, but what we say too. This includes laying rules on the table, because if you voice these rules, they’re out there, and it’s very possible that these rules have just given your students an idea, or a loophole on how to work your nerves and test your patience.
So, I dare you...take your class rules, and turn them into expectations. Not just any expectations though; replace them with character traits, or "Our Class Values". When discussing class values with your students, list the values that you would like them to embody, but here’s the smart part, let your kids choose the values they would like to see in their classroom too! Make a pact together (you can even all sign contracts) and agree to incorporate these values into the class as a team. These values will very quickly become a part of who your students and you are, and who you strive to be both during your lessons, and at home. You will notice that the classroom dynamic will take on a whole new level of ownership for students when it is addressed this way.
To remind your students about the values you have chosen to adopt together, you can write them down on your notice board, or make posters to pin to the walls (perhaps the students can even help to make these posters). Good classroom values should include things like:
Instead of dictating to your kids and students on how they should act, guide them towards who they should be, and this will make the world of difference, not only in the way they learn, but it will also influence how they treat themselves and others. Just a value-added piece of advice…😊
Wish I came across your article just a little sooner, so this upvote would have counted.
Regardless, I think this is."valuable" content.
Rules are meant to be broken and children break them at their convenience . As do we adults. Values on the other hand puts the ownership on the consequences of their actions back onto them....and helps build intrinsic motivation and self regulation. It is a sad state of the world if we are all driven by rewards and punishments based on rules and regulations - but such is the case in many places. I don't think humanity was meant to operate this way.
We are highly intuitive and compassionate beings capable of so much more just the way we are....given that we have a strong internal compass that helps us discern with wisdom.
I do hope more classrooms and schools adopt a value based classroom management. I will surely make a mental note to check that I'm incorporating this in workshops too!
Thank you @silverwhale