But today I met a lot of people who truly care about students. Students more than subjects. One of these fine such people gave me the wonderful quote that gave this post its namesake: "Kids aren't worse today than before, they're better. " But we need to give them a chance to be kids, without consequences (within reason, of course). "Give them a chance to be stupid!"
Now, I don't know about you, but I don't hear that very often. And to be honest, I don't think that often either. As strongly as I believe in building relationships with students and understanding the contextual variables within these kids lives, I rarely stop and think, 'hmm...these kids are making poor choices...and that's okay!' But maybe I should?
This evening I had the enjoyable task of decipher for myself what my classroom expectations are. What must my students do or not do in my classroom? What rules do they follow and which ones are okay to break? I've really been struggling with developing these sorts of clean-cut answers. You must find the balance between being friendly, without being their friend. Between being strict and being mean.
After some pondering, and some truly inspirational role models today at school I came up with the following list of expectations. Keeping in mind that yes I know they seem a little cliche, but I really believe them to be a necessary balance.
Expectations of Students:
Be Responsible
• Be on time (to class and with work)
Don’t Leave Us!
• Ask to use the washroom, get a drink, go to your locker
• Wait to be dismissed
Be Kind
Be Cooperative
Communicate
• Listen!
• Give input!
Expectations of Teacher:
Be Responsible
Be Kind
Be Cooperative
Communicate
Be Available
What do you think folks? Am I totally out to lunch on these? Is it okay for kids to be "stupid"?