Classroom Rules and Expectations Teaching Resources
Ready to introduce your classroom rules and expectations? Or maybe your students could really use some practice to make sure they know what behaviour is expected in your room?
Set the refresh button on classroom management with printable classroom rules posters, games to help students learn classroom procedures, behaviour charades and more teaching resources created by the expert teachers at Teach Starter!
What Are Classroom Rules?
The name may seem self-explanatory to some, but there's no shame in wanting to learn more! Classroom rules are basic guidelines for students to follow, so they know what is expected of them when it comes to classroom behaviour.
A cornerstone of behaviour management and classroom management, rules may cover everything from what is acceptable in the classroom to procedures that should be followed.
Why Are Classroom Rules Important?
The exact rules in a classroom may vary based on your teaching philosophy, the age and abilities of your students, district rules and a whole lot more, but the basic premise is the same: Students need structure and order.
Well-defined rules that are implemented well and consistently enforced provide bumpers for students not unlike the bumpers in a bowling alley. Students can move around between them, but they're there to gently guide students back toward appropriate behaviour when they start to roll a little bit sideways.
What Are Some Good Classroom Rules?
Yes, we already mentioned that every teacher has different rules for the classroom — after all, what is considered acceptable behavioir by one teacher might set another teacher's teeth on edge. But there are some basic rules that can work in every classroom, or at least give you some ideas when you sit down to write your expectations out for your students.
Explore these options, and pick and choose the right ones for you:
- Raise your hand and wait to be called on rather than calling out.
- Do not interrupt classmates.
- Listen when classmates are speaking.
- Clean up any messes you make.
- No name-calling.
- Share classroom toys and supplies with your classmates.
- Try new things.
- Encourage your classmates.
- Do your best.
- Try hard things.
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Visual First-Then Schedule for the Classroom
Communicate a sequence of events with this visual first-then board and set of 48 picture cards.
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Desk Pet Habitat Templates
Encourage positive behaviour with printable Desk Pet Habitats for your students to spend their Desk Pet Dollars on!
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Time To Eat – Lunch Procedures Mini Book
Teach your students appropriate lunch procedures with a printable Time to Eat Social Stories booklet.
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Student Behaviour Contract Template
Create a classroom community and ensure adherence to rules and procedures with a printable Student Behaviour Contract Template.
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I Need a Break - Choice Boards
Help upset students regulate their emotions in the classroom with our printable ‘I Need a Break!’ choice boards.
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Our Class Rules - Set of 8 Posters
Remind students of classroom rules and expectations with this set of 8 posters.
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THINK Strategy - Think Before You Speak Poster
Promote positive communication using the THINK strategy and our printable Think Before You Speak Poster.
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Visual Reward Chart
A visual reward chart along with token and reward cards to use in the classroom.
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Classroom Procedures Checklist
Determine and track which classroom procedures and routines you will teach at the beginning of the school year with a classroom procedures checklist and tracking sheet.
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Respect Self, Others and the Environment Posters
Encourage students to respect themselves, others and the environment with a set of printable class rule posters.
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Classroom Reward System - Table Points Tracker
Encourage teamwork and positive behaviour at your table groups with a new classroom reward system.
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Task Initiation Bookmark – My Morning Routine
Ensure your students start off on the right foot with this morning routine checklist bookmark!
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Editable Classroom Seating Chart Templates
Easily create new seating arrangements in your classroom with editable Classroom Seating Chart Templates.
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Virtual Classroom Management - Interactive Reward Charts
Track and reward extraordinary class behaviour with a set of fun digital reward tracking slides.
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Classroom Rules Worksheet Pack
Teach classroom rules and procedures and review early writing skills with a Classroom Rules Worksheet Pack for early years.
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Music Classroom Posters
Decorate, educate, and build classroom management with a set of printable Music Classroom Posters.
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Teacher Waiting Room - Clip System
Calm classroom chaos when students need one-on-one help from the teacher with a printable Teacher Waiting List Clip System!
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Free iPad Rules Classroom Poster
Display this classroom poster to set the boundaries and rules around using school iPads in the classroom.
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Retell Writing Activity - Classroom Routines and Procedures
Practise writing stories of characters who demonstrate a proper understanding of classroom expectations with this back to school retell writing activity.
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Rules for School Mini-Book
Remind students about appropriate behaviours at school with this printable mini-book.
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Classroom Store Kit
Set up a classroom economy and open your very own Classroom Store with a printable classroom store starter kit.
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Behaviour Reflection Sheet – Lower Years
Invite your early years students to reflect on their behaviour choices with this behaviour think sheet.
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Good Choice or Bad Choice? Worksheet
Help your students differentiate between good and bad behaviour choices with a cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Blurt Buttons - Classroom Management Strategy
Blurt Buttons are a great way to curb calling out in your classroom.
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Our Classroom Bee - Attitudes Rule Posters
Promote positive behaviour in the classroom with our Bee-Attitudes classroom display.
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Growth Mindset Goal Sticker Chart (Captain Yet Version) – Template
Print a growth mindset sticker chart template for students to track the progress of their goals.
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Walk Like a... Hallway Movement Break Cards
Help your students transition quietly through the hallways with this set of 12 Hallway Movement Break cards .
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Oops…or Awesome? Good Behaviour Game
Explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviours at the beginning of a new school year with a Good Behaviour Game.
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Behaviour Intervention Cheat Sheet
Keep a Behaviour Intervention Cheat Sheet at your fingertips to help manage classroom behaviours quickly and easily.
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Playground Rules Mini-Book
Remind your students about playground rules with this printable mini-book.
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Slicing Up Good Choices! Class Reward Tracker
Encourage teamwork and positive behaviour in your classroom with a new pizza-themed classroom reward system.
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Caught Being Good! Class Reward System
Reward and track positive classroom behaviour with a printable 'Caught Being Good' ticket system.