) Always come to class prepared: The students must bring their notebook,
pen, pencil, eraser, dictionary, etc. Whatever they need to help them learn
English. This includes a positive attitude. Merely coming to class prepared is
not enough. My students must also be prepared. This means sitting quietly in
their seats and in their groups before I enter the classroom. 2)
Always keep the classroom clean: If I see any paper on the floor, I tell
the students to pick it up. A dirty classroom should never be tolerated. I will
not start the lesson until the classroom is clean. I want my students to not
only respect their teachers and each other, but to respect the sanctity of the
classroom and the school as well.3) Be polite and show respect:
This doesn't only mean saying "Please" and "Thank you." It also means never
throwing things across the classroom. Far too often I've seen students throw
everything from pencils to books to their classmates. This also should never be
tolerated. When someone needs a pencil or an eraser, a student must physically
get up, walk over to the student in need, and hand it to him in a respectful
manner. Students must also use the proper honorific when referring to their
teacher. We must teach right speech AND right action.4) Pay attention
and cooperate: This means teaching the students to listen to the teacher and
listen to one another. Listening is the first step towards cooperating with each
other in order to get the job done and do the job well. 5) Work hard
and as a team: Team work is important in my classroom. I'm not looking for
individual superstars. I want students who are team players. Everyone learns
more that way. In working as a team, my students learn to plan their lessons
carefully and to think before they act.6) Sacrifice your time and
share your understanding: Now we're getting to the heart of the matter. If a
student understands something then he/she has an obligation to help another who
does not yet understand. The students must help and support each other. I love
to see a student physically get up, walk over to another, and kindly explain
what he has just learned to someone who is struggling. If one team does not
succeed in reaching the class/lesson objectives, then the other teams are
responsible for helping them until they do. This shows respect, cooperation, and
responsibility, and if we can teach our students that, then we are beginning to
succeed as educators.7) Be responsible for one another: Now we're
deep into the heart of the matter. This is the crux of my classroom culture.
Teaching my students to be responsible. Response-able. Or able to respond. Isn't
this what compassionate people do in a compassionate society? Isn't this our
main responsibility at educators--- to take on the responsibility of teaching
others how to be responsible? What a thrill it truly is to see students taking
responsibility for themselves AND others. If we can teach our students to
naturally respond to others in need, then we are truly succeeding as
educators.8) There are no free rides: I don't want slackers in my
class. If I see a student not pulling his weight, I let him know. The team is
relying on him. The team either succeeds or fails--- as a team. The class either
succeeds or fails--- as a class. In my classes, you will not get away with doing
nothing--- and that includes my co-teachers and myself! There are no free
rides.
