Classroom Rules

In response to Mrs. Steven's Blog, I created rules for my classroom.

For my 7th grade math class the rules I think are important to enforce are shown below.

1. Be on time and prepared for class with all necessary materials before the bell rings.
2. Raise your hand to answer or ask a question, otherwise, listen when notes are given.
3. Perform things asked of you the first time.
4. Respect classmates, teachers, and objects in the classroom.
5. Have a positive attitude! Wear a smile!
6. Show your work. That way, I know you doing your own work.
7. If you see a classmate struggling, help him/her out.
8. Complete flipped and turn in your work when it is due.

If anyone breaks a rule, a warning will be given the first time.
The second time, you will have to call a parent and have an afternoon d-hall.
The third time, you will have to call a parent, a lunch d-hall and afternoon d-hall will be given.
The fourth time and after, a Friday night school will be given.

Ron Clark Thinklink

Fear of Failure

In response to Mrs. Steven's Blog, I read to article titled How to Help Kids overcome the Fear of Failure.

As a student, I deal with failure very poorly. I strive for perfection and am accustomed to being successful in nearly everything I do the first time. Most things is school come rather easy to me, so my grades have a tendency to be rather high. When something is tough or I fail at something, I get extremely frustrated, extremely fast. I know that I should learn from failing, but in the moment I have trouble seeing past the situation, to see the positive outcome out of it.

As a teacher, I want all my students to succeed, but by that, I mean, I want them to learn the information forwards and backwards. I can fail teaching them as well, but by making mistakes, I can learn how my students learn best and can adjust future lessons for the good of my students instead of convenience for myself.

As important as I view my grades, grades are definitely not an indicator of learning. Grades are just a number. If a student can not correctly answer a specific question, they still may know information on that specific topic, but just not that one detail being tested on. Also, sometimes students may be too busy to study or were absent when they teacher went over the information, so they will not do well on the test.

Not being successful can encourage me to try harder and not give up. Especially since I crave success, failing something will push me to do even more than before to find success. Plus failing something can give yourself perspective on life. Not everyone will master everything they try, so it is important to be able to except and learn from failure instead of dwelling on it.

I handle criticism differently for the person that gives it. If a teacher, coach, or parent criticizes me, then I handle it gracefully and honestly consider the advice they are giving me. If a peer or someone that is a stranger to the subject criticizes me, then I respectfully let the criticism go right past me and not give it a second thought.