Break a Norm Project

Do you ever get bored of going through the same cycle each week? Outside of work, this often looks like doing laundry and grocery shopping. Honestly, this is no way to relax on the weekend, but there is no other time to do these tasks. Thus, time outside of work is often restful but not very exciting. Sadly, this is also how many students feel in school. For them, it means following a carefully dictated schedule. Upon entering class, it means sitting in a specific spot, raising a hand to talk, and following a teacher’s request. Students follow the norms because of set expectations. The majority of students do not want to break the rules or upset authority figures. Thus, understanding a unit on crime and deviance can be challenging. To help appropriately allow students to experience the content, the Break a Norm Project will be perfect to use! 

Break a Norm Project 

It is fantastic to have a classroom full of students who want to do well academically and follow the rules. Honestly, this makes the lives of teachers easier. However, this aspect can cause students to struggle to understand crime and deviance in Sociology class. Now, no teacher wants to force students to start breaking laws and purposely get into trouble. Additionally, no teacher wants to encourage students to act out. However, there are creative ways to help students relate to the content! 

The Break a Norm project is highly engaging! Honestly, it will be a project students always remember. The purchase includes the assignment, examples, and a rubric for easy grading. Students will see creative ways to break a norm without violating real law by looking at the examples. For instance, this may be skipping instead of walking or sitting at a teacher’s desk in the middle of a lesson. Ultimately, students will break a norm but do so legally. 

Project Components 

The Break a Norm Project includes five components. First, students write a statement of the problem, defining the norm they plan to violate and how it acts as a mechanism of social control. Then, students will explain why they are breaking the norm. Second, they will write a hypothesis. They will describe the range of reactions that others will have due to the violation. Third, they will describe the setting. This allows them to think about where the norm violation will occur and who will observe. Fourth, students will describe the incident. This will let them explain what happened. Lastly, students will complete a summary and interpretation. They will explain how it felt to violate the norm and receive reactions of those in society. Essentially, this project will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of crime and deviance. 

Accountability 

This project is a way to help students understand what it feels like to break a norm. However, it does not involve doing something to get arrested or into serious trouble. Therefore, it is essential to stress the importance of selecting a societal norm that is school appropriate. Ultimately, students are responsible for their actions. Hence, it is valuable to spend time reviewing the included examples together. By doing this, they will get a feel for what is acceptable and not. 

Teacher Benefits of the Break a Norm Project 

As a secondary Social Studies teacher, I understand the lack of available resources. Additionally, it is hard to develop creative lessons with so many different preps. Therefore, I create projects that are teacher tested and student approved. This means that I utilize the Break a Norm project each year. Specifically, I reflect on my students and their results to create comprehensive plans driven by proven results.  I even provide FREE updates as I continuously reflect on lessons. As a teacher, I know how stressful life can be. Thus, all of my products are organized for teachers and engaging for students. 

The Break a Norm Project is a powerful way to help students understand crime and deviance. It will allow students to see what it is like to go against the norm and the results. Ultimately, this will be a project students never forget! 

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