| It can be extremely difficult to teach a class of | | | | 5. Offer little opportunities for your class to show |
| students who do not respect you. Not only will it keep | | | | respect -- not only to you, but to other students, as |
| students from learning, it can also grow into a serious | | | | well. Help them make respect a habit and one they will |
| safety issue. It's best to start the school year with | | | | use often. |
| clear rules and expectations. However, if you're | | | | 6. Broaden students' idea of who deserves their |
| halfway into the year and problems are beginning to | | | | respect. Whether it's a senior citizen they walk by in |
| develop, it's never too late to teach students a little | | | | the mall or the janitor who keeps the school buildings |
| about R-E-S-P-E-C-T! | | | | well-maintained and clean, make sure they understand |
| 1. Make sure your students understand exactly what | | | | that everyone deserves respect - even nature. |
| respect is. Ask them to think about what daily life | | | | Remind your students to be kind to animals and be |
| would be like if no one showed respect to others. Give | | | | careful to not litter or do other things that can damage |
| everyday examples of how we use respect to | | | | or destroy the earth. |
| interact and get along with the world. | | | | 7. Good manners and respect go hand in hand. Saying |
| 2. Tell your students exactly what kind of behavior you | | | | yes ma'am, please and thank you are not only good |
| expect from them. Make the rules of the classroom | | | | manners, but also demonstrate respect. A good place |
| crystal clear, simple and easy to understand. Rules and | | | | to practice these skills is in the school cafeteria. Just as |
| expectations should always be age and | | | | good manners are expected in a nice restaurant, they |
| developmentally appropriate. Be reasonable. Students | | | | should also be expected during lunch at school. |
| will respect you even when you're tough - if you're fair. | | | | 8. Focus on one skill at a time and give immediate |
| 3. Model respect. Demonstrating good behavior is | | | | feedback about students' performance. Be tolerant as |
| probably the most effective way of getting your | | | | they learn, but don't overlook mistakes. Practice |
| students to respect you. Use only constructive criticism | | | | respect with your students often. |
| in the classroom and never yell at or use disrespectful | | | | 9. Create a student-centered classroom. Let students |
| language to students. Be fair and consistent with all | | | | write classroom rules and decide what consequences |
| students, all the time. Listen to what they have to say | | | | will occur when someone breaks a rule. When |
| and don't be quick to judge them for what they tell | | | | students are directly involved in the process, they will |
| you. Don't ever joke about a student to get a laugh out | | | | feel more important, powerful and respected. |
| of the class and never dismiss or ignore a student. Be | | | | 10. Get real. Let kids get to know who you are |
| careful not to show favoritism. If you do feel | | | | personally. Tell them stories about your pet, your |
| disapproval or contempt for a student, don't | | | | childhood, your mistakes and your successes. Even |
| demonstrate it through words, actions or body | | | | though you are their teacher, you can become |
| language. | | | | someone they can relate to and respect. |
| 4. Show respect to other adults. Students will not | | | | 11. Above all, give it time. Respect doesn't always |
| respect you if they see you disrespecting other | | | | come easily to students. Don't demand respect - earn |
| teachers, administrator or parents. Avoid gossiping | | | | it! |
| about other people. | | | | |