I was recently at one of Gene’s seminars in Calgary, Canada and I shared something that he suggested I submit. I teach Kindergarten and at the beginning of every year we sit down as a class to decide what the “rules” of our class will be. After brainstorming the usual ideas (no hitting, be a friend, etc.) I suggested that maybe we could list only one rule that would cover all of the others. It is “Do what you think is right”. The kids really accept this and it allows me to better understand each child when a situation arises. I just ask, “Do you think it is right to_______?” (fill in the incident or behavior). It has helped in so many ways and one rule is better than 5 or 6. Sometimes I keep this “rule” until November or December and then we switch to more conventional “classroom do’s”. I’ve had classes where I’ve kept our single rule the entire year!

– Bonnie Caldwell