rules and laws

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rules and laws
By nv

Theft used to be a major concern of mine. That changed when I gave a speech on stealing the first week of school. I will readily concede that it sounds harsh, but it is enormously effective. In light of what you are experiencing,
you may understand why I draw the line that I do.
I basically draw a distinction between breaking a rule and breaking the law for my students. I explain that not turning in homework, being in the hall without a pass, chewing gum in school… those are examples of violating school rules. Stealing, however, is breaking the law and will be dealt with by calling school police.

Their parents will be brought in and a police report will be filed.

I have colleagues that think I am nuts. They think the speech goes too far. They are probably right. But, I have had no problems with stealing. On one occasion, a student put their hand in someone else’s desk and I called their parents. I told them this was a huge violation and that their child would be removed from the cooperative setting if I witnessed something like this again. Further, this would distract from the quality of their learning because group work would turn into independent work.

Would I really call the police? No. But, I would have the parents in. I would involve our administration. I would forbid that student from sitting at other people’s desks so that my expectations were fully understood.