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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Desk Pet Application
Encourage students to boost their behaviour by implementing a Desk Pet Adoption Drive in your classroom, starting with an application!
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Classroom Rules and Expectations – Cut and Paste Worksheets
Start your year off right by reviewing classroom rules with a cut-and-paste, writing and drawing activity.
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Back to School Problem Solving Task Cards
Use this set of 20 task cards when teaching behaviour expectations during your back-to-school lessons.
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Classroom Routines for Independent Work Checklist
Give your students a checklist to remind them of classroom routines to follow when working independently.
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Behaviour Punch Card – Right on Target!
Motivate your students to be on target with this printable punch card template.
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Just Be... Classroom Behaviour Expectation Posters
Set clear classroom expectations and provide daily behaviour reminders to your students with a set of colourful 'Be-haviour' posters.
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Positive Self-Talk Bookmark
A bookmark with positive self-talk affirmations.
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Captain Yet Goal Tracker (Captain Yet Version) – Template
A Captain Yet template for students to track the progress of their goals.
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Are We There Yet? — Growth Mindset Posters
Print thse large growth mindset posters to help students learn to work more resourcefully and independently in the classroom.
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The Magic of Independent Learning - Individual Posters
Individual posters with sequential stages to help students learn independently.
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Visual Random Student Grouping Cards
Quickly form groups of 2-6 students in the classroom with a set of printable Visual Random Grouping Cards.
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Hall Pass Templates
Send your students down the hall in style with fun printable hall passes using our customisable hall pass templates.
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Classroom Clip Chart
Manage classroom behaviour in a visual way with a printable classroom clip chart.
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Morning Routine Checklist Pack
Start your day right and promote independence with a morning routine checklist.
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Noise Metre Classroom Poster
Remind your students of the appropriate noise level within the classroom with our noise monitor poster.
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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.
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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.
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Whole Body Listening – Poster and Worksheet
Use this poster and accompanying worksheet to teach your students about whole body listening.
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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.
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Good Listener Posters
Use this poster to teach your students how to be good listeners.
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End of Day Checklist & Poster
Help your students remember end-of-day classroom procedures with a printable poster and packing-up checklist.
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Classroom Procedures Scoot Game
Review classroom and school procedures as a back-to-school activity with a game of Scoot!
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Hand Signals For Classroom Management
Strengthen classroom management and reduce classroom interruptions with miniature hand signal posters and bookmarks.
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Classroom Procedure Activity - Do or Don't? Sort
Identify proper school and classroom procedures with this sorting activity.
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Behaviour Learning Ladder - Vertical Chart
A vertical tracking chart for students behaviour in the classroom.
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Mystery Prize Picker - Interactive Behaviour Rewards
Reward your students with special surprises by using our interactive behaviour reward picker!
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Critters with Character - Classroom Behaviour System
Tame your ‘wild’ classroom behaviour with an animal-themed classroom management system.
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What are Desk Pets? Introduction Slide Deck
Introduce your students to your Desk Pet Classroom Reward System with an engaging slide deck.
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Back to School Pamphlet
Share important information with parents and guardians with this back to school printable pamphlet.
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Back to School - Procedure Exit Tickets
Assess student knowledge of classroom rules and procedures with quick and easy exit tickets.
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Design Your Own Procedure Anchor Chart Template
Design your own custom classroom procedure anchor charts with a customisable anchor chart template.
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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.