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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Try 3 Before Me Poster
Print a "3 before me" classroom poster to encourage students to try 3 things before asking for help.
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Random Pair Generator Cards
Use these printable partner cards as a randomized pair generator when grouping students in the classroom.
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Class Noise Display
A display to indicate the noise level that is appropriate.
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Meet The Teacher Presentation Template
Introduce yourself and your classroom expectations to parents and students with a customisable Meet the Teacher Slideshow!
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Playground Rules Mini-Book
Remind your students about playground rules with this printable mini-book.
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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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Behaviour Reward System - Token Charts
Celebrate classroom successes with a set of fun-themed classroom reward charts.
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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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Callback Phrases List
Catch your students’ attention with a set of fun attention-grabbing callback phrases.
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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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Our Classroom Bee - Attitudes Rule Posters
Promote positive behaviour in the classroom with our Bee-Attitudes classroom display.
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Technology Routines Poster
Display this set of classroom technology routines and expectations near your electronic devices for smoother usage sessions.
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Tap Light Posters – Voice Level
Create voice-level expectations in the classroom with this set of 5 posters.
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Whole Body Listening Poster and Matching Worksheet
A cute poster to refer to when reinforcing whole body listening.
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I Can! I Can't ... Yet. – Handwriting Worksheet (Version 2)
A handwriting worksheet designed to help students goal set by reflecting on what they can and cannot do yet.
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I Can! I Can't ... Yet. – Handwriting Worksheet (Version 1)
A handwriting worksheet designed to help students goal set by reflecting on what they can and cannot do yet.
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Are We There Yet? Captain Yet's Joyous Journey – Poster
A Captain Yet poster to help students learn more resourcefully and independently in the classroom.
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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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The Science of Independent Learning - Banner
A banner for the The Science of Independent Learning posters.
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Science Safety Poster Extended
Use this Science Safety Poster to outline the rules and expectations when conducting experiments.
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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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Out of this World Behaviour - Class Reward Chart
Motivate and reward positive classroom behaviour with a reward chart that is out of this world!
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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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Rules for School Mini-Book
Remind students about appropriate behaviours at school with this printable mini-book.
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Behaviour Learning Ladder - Vertical Chart
A vertical tracking chart for students behaviour in the classroom.
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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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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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Classroom Noise Monitor Poster
Remind your students of the appropriate noise level within the classroom with our noise monitor poster.