The picture above is the junior high's "respect agreements" that are cooperatively made by each class at the beginning of the year, they are designed to set high expectations for success, positivity, and respect in the classroom. Four sections categorize this agreement: students respecting teachers, teachers respecting students, students respecting others, and everyone respecting the school. Students independently brainstorm what they believe these ideas look like, then work as a group to agree on how to make respect the foundation of the classroom.Students are encouraged to respectfully argue for or against any points offered to the class list since the agreement is considered a binding document for the class community. While articulating these expectations, students are able to create their own rules while understanding why respect is vital to classroom success.
Group work and collaboration are essential to student success, but students must have a firm understanding of respecting the ideas of others. Group projects and activities designed to teach the value of positive communication, teamwork, and respect ensure that students appreciate the perspective and ideas of others. Additionally, when students are able to express their individuality they can be respected and reflect the same to others.