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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Tap Light Posters – Voice Level
Create voice-level expectations in the classroom with this set of 5 posters.
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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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Our Class Rules - Set of 8 Posters
Remind students of classroom rules and expectations with this set of 8 posters.
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Charades-Inspired 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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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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Morning Routine Checklist Pack
Start your day right and promote independence with a morning routine checklist.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Classroom Procedures Scoot Game
Review classroom and school procedures as a back-to-school activity with a game of Scoot!
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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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Caught Being Good! Class Reward System
Reward and track positive classroom behaviour with a printable 'Caught Being Good' ticket system.
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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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Critters with Character - Classroom Behaviour System
Tame your ‘wild’ classroom behaviour with an animal-themed classroom management system.
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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 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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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.
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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 Reflection Sheet – Lower Years
Invite your early years students to reflect on their behaviour choices with this behaviour think sheet.
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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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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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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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Cooperation Station - SEL & Character Education Craft
Make your classroom a better “space” with cooperative learning and a fun Cooperation Station craft!