Many people associate respect with discipline as given by the teacher, but that is not always the case. Frequently, a respectful classroom environment comes from the students’ response to how the teacher sets the tone of the classroom. Positive learning environments such as these come from involving students, providing clear expectations and rigorous curriculum.
Student Involvement
Involving students in the classroom provides the sense of ownership in their learning. It is easier to keep most students engaged in a lesson when they are participating through discussions, labs, projects and other student centered activities. Once engaged, students create their own respectful classroom environment through their interactions with the teacher and other students. When the teacher models respectful behavior as well then students further their understanding of how to show respect.
Another way to involve students is through classroom meetings. In a class meeting students should feel comfortable asking questions, providing their opinions and also supporting their classmates. The meetings should also provide students with the opportunity to make decisions about some classroom rules and expectations, such as seating charts.
Classroom Expectations
Whether provided by the teacher or created by the class, classroom expectations or rules should support a positive and respectful environment. One way to achieve this is to word the expectations positively; for example, instead of “Don’t Run in the Lab” use “Be Safe.” Another is to have students do a written or visual activity to explain what these expectations mean so that they can make a connection between the rules and themselves.
Also, be consistent in the enforcement of the expectations. Make sure to apply each rule fairly to each student. Deciding part way through the course to not enforce one gives students the impression that other expectations are optional and will negatively impact the respectful environment of the classroom.
Curriculum Rigor
Rigor is a curriculum goal meant to improve students’ ability to understand complex content. How this impacts the classroom is how it is applied to different lessons. The inclusion of rigorous content inherently means the teacher is providing lessons that involve difficult ideas, engage students in discussing dilemmas, or promotes research into complex topics. These all encourage student interaction with their learning and increase their developing understanding of the need to respect the thoughts and ideas of others.
When searching for ways to improve the classroom environment, respectful students and positive learning experiences are ideal. Students need a teacher who models the respect expected by involving students in the learning, being clear about expectations and providing rigorous curriculum.
References: Class Meetings: Chapter 8, What is Rigor?
Join the Conversation