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.
- Plus Plan
Captain Yet Goal Tracker (Pirate Nup Version) – Template
A Captain Yet template for students to track the progress of their goals.
- Plus Plan
Walk Like a... Hallway Movement Break Cards
Help your students transition quietly through the hallways with this set of 12 Hallway Movement Break cards .
- Plus Plan
Visual Random Student Grouping Cards
Quickly form groups of 2-6 students in the classroom with a set of printable Visual Random Grouping Cards.
- Plus Plan
Virtual Classroom Management - Interactive Reward Charts
Track and reward extraordinary class behaviour with a set of fun digital reward tracking slides.
- Plus Plan
Classroom Clip Chart
Manage classroom behaviour in a visual way with a printable classroom clip chart.
- Plus Plan
Morning Routine Checklist Pack
Start your day right and promote independence with a morning routine checklist.
- Plus Plan
Music Classroom Posters
Decorate, educate, and build classroom management with a set of printable Music Classroom Posters.
- Plus Plan
Noise Metre Classroom Poster
Remind your students of the appropriate noise level within the classroom with our noise monitor poster.
- Plus Plan
Above and Below the Line Behaviours – Sorting Activity
Remind students of behaviours that are 'above the line,' 'below the line,' and 'bottom-line' with this sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Time To Eat – Lunch Procedures Mini Book
Teach your students appropriate lunch procedures with a printable Time to Eat Social Stories booklet.
- Plus Plan
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!
- Plus Plan
Behaviour Intervention Cheat Sheet
Keep a Behaviour Intervention Cheat Sheet at your fingertips to help manage classroom behaviours quickly and easily.
- Plus Plan
How Do I Get Home? Backpack Tags & Forms
Use printable bus and car rider tags for schools to organise the dismissal process at the end of the school day.
- Plus Plan
Remember to Write Your Name Poster (Lower Primary)
Make nameless student work a thing of the past with this poster reminding students to write their name on their work.
- Plus Plan
Good Listener Posters
Use this poster to teach your students how to be good listeners.
- Free Plan
Free iPad Rules Classroom Poster
Display this classroom poster to set the boundaries and rules around using school iPads in the classroom.
- Plus Plan
End of Day Checklist & Poster
Help your students remember end-of-day classroom procedures with a printable poster and packing-up checklist.
- Plus Plan
Classroom Procedures Scoot Game
Review classroom and school procedures as a back-to-school activity with a game of Scoot!
- Plus Plan
Hand Signals For Classroom Management
Strengthen classroom management and reduce classroom interruptions with miniature hand signal posters and bookmarks.
- Free Plan
Classroom Procedure Activity - Do or Don't? Sort
Identify proper school and classroom procedures with this sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Rules for School Mini-Book
Remind students about appropriate behaviours at school with this printable mini-book.
- Plus Plan
Classroom Store Kit
Set up a classroom economy and open your very own Classroom Store with a printable classroom store starter kit.
- Plus Plan
Desk Pet Application
Encourage students to boost their behaviour by implementing a Desk Pet Adoption Drive in your classroom, starting with an application!
- Plus Plan
Back to School Pamphlet
Share important information with parents and guardians with this back to school printable pamphlet.
- Plus Plan
Back to School - Procedure Exit Tickets
Assess student knowledge of classroom rules and procedures with quick and easy exit tickets.
- Plus Plan
Design Your Own Procedure Anchor Chart Template
Design your own custom classroom procedure anchor charts with a customisable anchor chart template.
- Plus Plan
I Can Follow the Rules at School – Mini-Book
Use this mini-book to review or introduce school and classroom rules to your primary students.
- Plus Plan
Classroom Routines for Independent Work Checklist
Give your students a checklist to remind them of classroom routines to follow when working independently.
- Plus Plan
Tattle Monster - Tattle Telling Tissue Box Template
Create a 'tattle monster' out of a tissue box for your classroom using this cute template.
- Plus Plan
Respect Self, Others and the Environment Posters
Encourage students to respect themselves, others and the environment with a set of printable class rule posters.
- Plus Plan
Classroom Reward System - Table Points Tracker
Encourage teamwork and positive behaviour at your table groups with a new classroom reward system.
- Plus Plan
Parent Information Night PowerPoint Template
Prepare for your parent information night with a customisable slideshow template.