The corresponding classroom activity for this is about students considering their own personal standards for behaviour. These activities will also be useful for teachers to reflect on their own standards, and how these transfer to their classrooms.

Begin by reflecting on the following:

• Are there any school rules that don’t apply in your classroom? Why is this?
• Are there any school rules that you disagree with but still enforce? Why is this?
• What are the rules and expectations of teachers in your school context (are they different from other schools)? Do you think these are reasonable? Why?

The standards of behaviour and expectations we hold as teachers naturally transfer to our classrooms. These standards are part of who we are and they are something that we model, often unconsciously, to our students.

Have a look at the following classroom expectations: 13 Ways to Set High Expectations in the Classroom

• Do any of these align with your standards and beliefs?
• Are there any that you disagree with? Why?

Continue over to Classroom activity – Constructing our own standards of behaviour – make sure you reflect on the discussion points yourself before leading your students through them. Remember that it is okay to say that you “don’t know” or that you are unsure where you stand on a discussion point – this may also give your students implicit permission to be undecided on a point and encourage them to discuss it further. The activity is quite long – you might choose to do it across a number of classes, or address one concept at a time.