How are you supposed to teach if the kids don’t behave? Many people have asked me this question, those of my friends who are training to be teachers. And while it might seem like it’s just one of those tough jobs nobody can do, there are 5Ps of classroom rules which will help you stay on top of things. This blog post will give you more information about the 5Ps and why they are important in managing classrooms.
The 5Ps are Prompt, Prepared, Productive, Polite, and Position. They are explained in detail in the subsequent sections of this article.
The 5 Ps of Classroom Rules
1. Prompt
Prompt means to encourage or motivate someone to take action. For rules in the classroom, prompt can also mean encouraging students to arrive early for their lessons. The teacher must be prompt and arrive before his/her class arrives.
This is because arriving on time (or even a few minutes late) affects the tone of the class. If the teacher is always late, then his/her students might resent it and arrive late themselves (which goes against the very purpose of having the rules in place).
And if you’re never on time, but your students are always on time for you, then they’re probably waiting outside doing nothing while their classmates are already learning.
Prompt can also mean not only the teacher’s actions, but his/her words as well. If a student is repeatedly coming into your class late, you should politely inform him/her that he/she needs to arrive on time.
It might seem unfair for students who are already in class and may disrupt learning, but this will be explained at the end. Instead of citing the rule word for word, try to explain why they need to be prompt and how it can hurt their grade in the long run.
2. Prepared
It is important to write effective class rules that are easily followed by students. That seems obvious, but many people still neglect it. Including an explanation of why following these rules are beneficial for the educational environment is a great way to encourage preparedness among your students. When writing classroom rules, avoid making them too long or too complicated. Students are more likely to remember your rules if they are concise.
Students face the challenge of managing their time, assignments, workloads, and responsibilities outside of school daily. It can be hard for students to prioritize what is most important when they come into the classroom already feeling stressed out about their other commitments. Effective classroom rules help set the tone for what is expected in the learning environment and eliminate confusion about what will be allowed in class.
Rules that demand preparedness encourages students to prioritize their responsibilities among other obligations such as jobs, family, and friends. This helps create an efficient learning space where students can focus on their studies without distractions like forgetting homework, missing supplies, or leaving early to run personal errands.
Classroom rules should be designed so that students can easily follow them with little guidance. You do not need to spend hours writing extensive rules for each student if they are prepared and ready every single day. Teachers who communicate their expectations clearly see improved performance among their students as well as a more productive learning environment.
The most important reason why effective classroom rules incorporate preparedness is to ensure that students can focus on their work instead of wasting time searching for the supplies they need. It may seem counterproductive to require students to have everything ready before they begin an assignment, but this eliminates uncertainty and unnecessary stress.
Teachers need to recognize that successful classroom management is not based on what rules are in place, but on whether or not students are prepared. If students are unsure of what the rules are, if they do not see how following them benefits themselves, or if they do not think the consequences for breaking the rules are clear, then you will have an uphill battle in getting them to cooperate.
When establishing classroom rules, it is important to write effective ones that allow students to prioritize their obligations while still maintaining a productive learning environment. Preparedness should be a prerequisite part of all rules written to encourage responsibility and organization among your students while keeping the learning space stress-free.
3. Productive
Let students know your expectations about your lessons before they enter the classroom. This includes setting up their desk before lessons begin, or not using electronics during class time. You can set up productive rules that will help your day run smoother while still being fair to all students. Think about how you would feel if you were one of the students expected to follow these rules. Would you feel like the rule is fair? If not, what one change or addition would make it more effective?
A productive classroom environment requires mutual respect between students and teachers.
Being respectful also includes giving your full attention during lessons. Are there any (positive) ways to encourage this behavior? For example, rewarding students who pay attention with stickers or verbally thanking those who engage well with their friends during lessons.
A productive classroom environment is one where there are no distractions and students can enjoy learning and participate in all activities and lessons.
For example: When students go to different rooms for different purposes, they should know which rules apply to each room so no one gets confused.
For example, it can be hard to concentrate on lessons if students are distracted by noises coming from other classes, such as slamming doors or loud music. Classrooms should be free of any distractions that may cause a student to lose focus.
Sometimes the rules and consequences need to be the same for all students. For example, not talking during lessons is a rule that should apply to everyone – no student must get away with breaking your rules just because they are popular or well-behaved.
For example, you can set up productive classroom rules by telling the class what you expect of them before the lesson begins.
4. Polite
It is important to consider politeness when making classroom rules. Students should see your classroom as a safe zone where they can learn and have fun without worrying about being embarrassed or bullied because of arbitrary reasons such as their choice of clothing or shoes.
In a polite classroom, students will feel respected and trusted, which is important for making lessons productive and enjoyable.
A polite classroom environment can be created when positive behavior is rewarded so that students know they are valued members of the class.
For example, you could have a student wall where each day an especially polite student gets to put a sticky note on the wall.
For example, rules must be clear and consistent for all students.
Sometimes it can be hard to enforce rules if you are too lenient with one student but not with another. A completely polite class where everyone does not follow all the classroom rules would be unproductive because no one would be held accountable for their actions and learning wouldn’t take place.
For example, Polite rules should be consistent between students, such as “listening when others are talking” applies to everyone – no student gets away with listening only when they want to.
5. Positive
Positive means that your rules should encourage students to be positive and have good attitudes for the success of everyone in the classroom. It is very important in making classroom rules effective because if your class doesn’t like what you are saying, they probably won’t listen. If nobody obeys, then it will be harder to maintain order in the room.
Positive also impacts classroom management. If it is positive, students will be encouraged to follow the rules and you can expect them to do what you say. This is helpful because of the communication aspect of teaching. Classroom management becomes easier when students are simply more pleasant and there aren’t as many disruptions that need your attention.
So, positive classroom rules are important because of the involvement they bring to the students. They will be more inclined to listen and follow along if they like what you’re saying, so having positive rules is necessary for any successful class.
A positive tone of voice also impacts classroom management. If it is positive, students will be encouraged to follow the rules and you can expect them to do what you say. This is helpful because of the communication aspect of teaching. Classroom management becomes easier when students are simply more pleasant and there aren’t as many disruptions that need your attention.
Find out more information about why classroom rules are important here.
Why Are The 5Ps Of Classroom Rules Necessary?
These 5Ps can benefit both teachers and students in different ways, as seen above. Understanding the importance of having them will be crucial, as their benefits will help develop a classroom that works together as one to achieve success.
- The five Ps are necessary to have in your classroom for achieving success academically. It encourages students to be well-behaved so that everyone can benefit from being part of the class environment, free of distractions.
- The five Ps are all about setting up and maintaining a structured classroom. These rules encourage students to be well-behaved so that everyone can benefit from being part of the class environment, free of distractions.
- It makes learning easier for those who are trying to absorb knowledge as the lack of disturbances allows them to focus more on what they are learning. This can be crucial for some students who require that extra motivation to work on certain subjects, like math concepts and formulas.
- These rules also allow students to take on more challenging tasks such as trying new things and taking tests without feeling worried about any disruptions in the class.
- When all of these benefits come together, students tend to have a better time in school and spend more time on learning new concepts which can lead them to have a fruitful life of their own.
- It also encourages teachers to work more efficiently as they know that the right environment is already set up for them, allowing them to concentrate less on having to control the class and more on what they are there to do. This is also the case for students who have teachers that have mastered how to control a classroom, so everyone knows what they are expected to do, be it with an assignment or project.
Conclusion
The Five Ps are important for classroom management. They allow students to take on more challenging tasks without fear of being distracted, and they encourage teachers to concentrate less on controlling the class. Understanding how these five principles can benefit your teaching skills will help you create a positive environment that encourages success in the classroom. Find out more about our articles about classroom management here.
