Finding Time for
Mutual Respect

"My Time/Your Time" is a classroom management program that provides a structure for mutual respect. You show students respect by giving them as much freedom as possible within the classroom rules and procedures. In return, students respect your time as the teacher by taking responsibility for their behavior and learning.

My Time is any time the teacher (or another adult) is giving direct instruction, giving directions, or addressing the class as a whole. During My Time, students show respect by listening quietly, taking notes and asking questions as needed, participating, and staying in their seats.

Your Time is any time that students are working individually or together on an assignment or activity. During that time, students may go to the restroom, get a drink of water, get a small snack if needed, get materials, consult with other students (about class work), and so on. Students demonstrate that they deserve that freedom by completing the activity/assignment and turning it in on time, respecting others, and keeping their areas clean so the classroom is left the way they found it.

With any freedom you offer students, make sure there is a corresponding responsibility. And make sure you provide some structure to those freedoms. (For example, you might have a sign-out procedure for bathroom breaks and allow only one student at a time to leave the classroom.) Be up front about the consequences of abusing their freedom, so students know what to expect. Once the consequence has been met, however, allow the freedom again. That helps students learn from their mistakes and allows them to show growth in their maturity and responsibility.

Source: Freedoms and Responsibilities

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09/14/2010