Open Menu Close Menu Open Search Close Search

Home / Programs Page / Teaching for Inclusive Excellence / How Do I Get Started? / Before the First Day of Class and the First Day of Class / Helping Students Create Their Own Ground Rules

Helping Students Create Their Own Ground Rules

A Method for Helping Students Create Their Own Ground Rules

  1. Ask students to think about the best group discussions they have been a part of, and reflect on what made these discussions so satisfying.
  2. Next, ask students to think about the worst group discussions in which they have participated and reflect on what made these discussions so unsatisfactory.
  3. For each of the positive characteristics identified, ask students to suggest three things the group could do to ensure that these characteristics are present.
  4. For each of the negative characteristics identified, ask students to suggest three things the group could do to ensure that these characteristics are not present.
  5. Use students’ suggestions to draft a set of ground rules to which you all agree, and distribute them in writing.
  6. Periodically, ask the class to reflect on whether the ground rules established at the beginning of the semester are working, and make adjustments as necessary.

(Adapted from Brookfield & Preskill, 2005)