"Because I Said So"

Because I Said So is one of my favorite movies but the least favorite saying when it comes to discipline.  It is very difficult to get teens to buy into expectations and rules with the attitude of "because I said so".  When students can see the big picture or be guided into understanding the reasons for your expectations, they will make the right choices easier.  Ask students why they think you have the expectations.  Open up dialogue. Ask them what expectations they believe you should have in your classroom.  Help them see how their behavior effects others in the class.  Students need to see how the expectations are life-long lessons and will benefit them as they become adults.