I’m toying with a new classroom policy to minimize verbalized complaints about others. “Write it up or Shut up.” It goes something like this.
If you have a complaint about the behavior of another student in class who has done something to disrupt your learning—they threw a paperwad or pencil at you; they called you a name; they closed your chromebook; etc.—you are not allowed to verbalize it or “tattle” on them. You will be required to write a 200 word minimum “Student Incident Report” and submit it to me. In your report you must describe what happened in detail, explain how this disrupted your learning, and explain what you think should happen.
Incident Reports like this are only necessary when I have not observed the behavior. If I see it, I will take care of it. But if I don’t see it, I don’t want to hear you complaining about it or tattling. Instead, I will supply you with the “Student Incident Report” form to fill out. Your job is to “write it up or shut up.”
One exception: If something is serious, threatening, dangerous, or involves an immediate safety concern, tell me immediately. That is not tattling. That is reporting a problem that requires immediate attention.
Otherwise: WRITE IT UP OR SHUT UP. Don’t interrupt class. Don’t announce your complaint to the class. Don’t argue with the other student. Don’t turn a classroom problem into another classroom problem.
Put it in writing. This is an English class. If you have something important to say, learn to say it well in writing.
