"They're acting like kindergarteners!" Well, no, they're not. If only they were!
These days, most classrooms in the U.S. establish a code of conduct at the beginning of each school year. The best codes of conduct are developed collaboratively with the adults and students in the classroom.
Business meetings also often work with codes of conduct. Things move more efficiently and fairly when people agree on how the meetings will flow.
Why don't we have a code of conduct for our town hall forums? It's about time we invite attendees to develop them.
If you've attended a town-hall forum, you know how long the process takes to wait in line, file in, wait for the VIPs to arrive and get settled, and take care of the perfunctory business. We always set aside time for rituals, such as a benediction, the Pledge of Allegiance, and/or the singing of the national anthem.
Why not a few minutes to develop a code of conduct, the way school classrooms do?
Here are a few examples:
Maysville Elementary in Maysville, Missouri
No one has the right to interfere with the learning, safety, or well-being of others.
Listen carefully.
Work Quietly. Do not disturb others who are working.
Follow directions
Respect others. Be kind with your words and actions.
Respect classroom, school, and personal property.
Work and play safely.
Have fun.
Van Buren Elementary in Placentia, California
BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME, DOING THE RIGHT THING
BE KIND TO EACH OTHER IN WHAT YOU SAY OR DO
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS
TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR SCHOOL BY KEEPING IT NEAT AND CLEAN
KEEP HANDS, FEET, AND OBJECTS TO YOURSELF
BRING ONLY APPROPRIATE ITEMS TO SCHOOL
DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR SCHOOL
Tam Valley School, Mill Valley, California
Be respectful of oneself and others.
Attentive Listening: Listen with your ears, eyes and hearts. Pay close attention to one another’s words and feelings. Give each other caring, respect and consideration.
Appreciation – No Put-Downs: Treat others kindly and state appreciation for their unique qualities. Avoid negative remarks, name-calling, hurtful gestures and behaviors.
Mutual Respect: Be respectful of everyone, and their rights, needs, differences and property. Do not use gossip or negative names.
Be Responsible.
Be kind to each other and respond appropriately with all school staff.
Be safe.
Clifton Elementary in UK:
We are always kind to each other and we share and take turns.
We always listen carefully to each other and our adults.
We always take care of our toys and put them away properly.
We always walk inside Kindergarten, we can run outside.
We always use good manners at snacktime and lunchtime.
Madison Metropolitan School District in Madison, Wisconsin
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Students also have certain responsibilities, both as citizens and as members of the school community. These responsibilities are present whether the student is in the school building or traveling to or from school via transportation provided by the school system. In order to guarantee these rights, each person must assume responsibility for his or her own behavior and refrain from infringing upon the rights of others.
1. Active Participation: Students have the responsibility of actively engaging in the serious business of learning. For example, they must attend school regularly and be on time. They must remain in class until excused, pay attention to instructions, complete assignments to the best of their ability, and exert every effort to achieve mastery of the lessons.
2. Obedience to Laws and Rules: The laws of society and school rules have been created to guarantee every person's rights. Students must assume personal responsibility for obedience to these laws and rules.
3. Responsible Exercise of Free Speech and Expression: While students have rights according to the First Amendment to express themselves they should express opinions in a manner which is not offensive, illegal, obscene, or inconsistent with the educational goals of the school. The rights of others should be respected, and there can be no interference with the orderly educational process.
4. Avoidance of Illegal or Dangerous Items: Students must not bring materials or objects to school or to school activities that are or could be disruptive or are prohibited by law or school policy. All non-essential educationally related items that are brought to school by students shall be stored in the students' lockers throughout the school day.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Support school officials in their efforts to develop and maintain well-disciplined schools
2. Teach the child socially acceptable standards of behavior
3. Teach the child to have respect for law, authority, and the rights and property of others
4. Teach the child to be accountable for his/her own actions and help the child to grow and develop into a self-controlled, self-disciplined citizen
5. Share the responsibility for student conduct with the school
6. Maintain an active interest in the student's school work and activities
7. Advocate for quality education for the child
8. Require prompt and regular attendance at school
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Maintain an appropriate educational environment for the class as a whole: Teachers have the responsibility to communicate behavior and academic expectations as clearly as possible
2. Be familiar with the IEP of any student in his/her classroom.
3. Intervene in minor disruptions while maintaining classroom supervision by interventions.
4. Follow Procedures for Temporary Removal of a Student From the Classroom.
5. Procedures for Long -- Term Removal of a Student From the Classroom
We cannot have discussions by yelling at one another and hoping everyone's on their best behavior when we don't establish cooperatively the definition of "best behavior."
It's time to let the kindergarteners model how it's done.