Agreement #2: Mutual Respect

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Posted by Ben Koch, M.Ed.

It is fascinating how each new class approaches the agreements from a new perspective and describes them a unique way. This year's discussion on "mutual respect" brought up some basic but important concepts, and centered on the "rights" of individuals in the classroom.

Here's what we agreed on as our guidelines for Mutual Respect:

-- Be nice! (remember the Golden Rule)

-- Every citizen of the class deserves these equal rights:

• To be treated fairly (by teacher and by other students)
• To feel safe and secure (no yelling or fighting)
• To know his/her possessions are safe

-- Show compassion (accept Rachel's Challenge*)

* More on Rachel's Challenge later!