How to Teach Rules

Teaching school rules is easy if you follow the...rules.

1. First, ask the kids what rules they know; get them involved.  Then… 
2. Choose one rule to explore. 
3. Explain the rule—be clear and detailed. 
4. Again, let students add their thoughts. 
5. Demo it, or have one kid demo it, then have 2 kids demo, then 3 or more, and finally the whole class. 
6. Re-explain and practice till it’s perfect. 
7. It may take a few sessions to reach that goal.
8. Also, discuss why the rule is important.  No, it’s not to avoid punishment or because the teacher will get mad it you don’t do it.  The real reason is because it helps us to be respectful or to stay safe, or to learn something new and interesting. 
9. What bad things might happen if we don’t follow the rule?   Delve into the issues, so kids internalize the rule.  That’s how it becomes embedded in their conscience—your only true hope for good behavior.
10. Think of everything that could go wrong.  You have to address every possibility, and discuss the limits of what’s acceptable.  No, they can’t do this or that because…
11. It helps to have a checklist so you don’t forget crucial points.  You don’t want any loopholes or misunderstandings.
12. Repeat with every school rule and routine at the start of the school year.  End each session with a little brain break--a stretch, dance or callback chanting--so kids associate learning rules with fun. 

Teaching rules is a fascinating process, and it’s a must—and it’s ongoing, to some degree, every time you teach.

Behavior Management with Humor is a mega-resource that teaches step-by-step skills for discipline—and then adds tools and strategies to make it FUN.

Laughing shakes up our lymph system, and heals our body, mind and soul. It strengthens the immune system, lowers our blood pressure and makes us more present and alert. It’s empowering, rapport-building…AND I can tell you from experience, it’s one of the most powerful tools in your behavior management kit!

I REALLY LOVE this, and I think you might, too.

If you’d like a Behavior Management MEGA-Bundle—with School Rules, Behavior Management with Humor, Behavior Modification Game Charts, and Behavior Management Callbacks—it’s here.
I’m on a mission: to help you feel CALM and CONFIDENT—and ready to laugh—starting on your first day of school. 

As always, I'm wishing you all the best!