New Rule

My students and I are still getting to know each other. Last week I had to make a new classroom rule because their behavior was driving me crazy. They kept coming up and politely asking me to use the bathroom or get a drink.

I told them this had to stop because I don’t like it. They are no longer allowed to ask permission to go to the bathroom or get a drink!

From now on if they have to go to the bathroom or get a drink, they just go do it. I feel like it is demeaning to them every time they ask me to go do a normal body function.

Trust, Respect, Responsibility-that is the creed of our school. I think high schoolers can handle going to the bathroom with out any notice from me!

3 thoughts on “New Rule

  1. Secoria Burks

    I can really appreciate it when a teacher gives students the opportunity to show maturity. Taking away the need for your permission to use the restroom shows your students a little about what it means to be a trusted adult. I can remember being in high school, and thinking to myself that I’m no longer three years old I don’t need anyone to let me go to the restroom. As a teacher I hope to be able to trust my students the same way.

  2. Chastity Westry

    Hello!
    My name is Chastity Westry and I am a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed reading this post. I think the new rule for your classroom will be helpful in many ways. It will help develop better trust and respect with your students. When I was a grade school student, my teachers never had a rule like this. I really wish they did. Asking to go to the restroom actually took up time from teaching and learning. I agree that it would save a lot of trouble by letting the students go on their own. I am considering to adopt this rule for my future classroom. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Michael Kaechele Post author

    Secoria and Chastity, thanks for stopping by. I think the most important thing to think about in classroom rules is what unsaid message are they sending to our students? Are the rules empowering or controlling? We should be focusing on teaching students self-control.

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